Sibling Rivalry: Geely EX5 Takes On Proton e.MAS 7 in Nepal

Just months after Proton entered Nepal’s EV market by launching its e.MAS 7 there, its partners Geely also chose to introduce the EX5  in the same market, directly competing for the same slice of buyers.

Geely, which also holds a 49.9% stake in Proton, was once expected to use the Proton brand as its right-hand drive (RHD) export arm. But as seen in recent strategy shifts, the group is now entering RHD markets under the Geely banner directly, even in smaller RHD markets like Nepal.

But here’s the catch: despite both vehicles being nearly identical both visually and in terms of kit, we believe the Proton e.MAS 7 remains the better pick for Nepalese buyers. Why? Because real-world testing and market adaptation matter more than spec sheets.

When the EX5 was previewed here during a regional tour, one of our biggest concerns was its overly soft suspension setup. It felt out of place on rougher, more uneven roads - something Nepal and Malaysia commonly share.

In contrast, the e.MAS 7 has undergone additional ride and handling refinements to suit these challenging road conditions, making it a better fit for day-to-day use outside of China’s smoother highway environment.

The SUV is powered by a 160 kW (215 HP) motor and a 60.2 kWh LFP Short Blade battery, with a range of 530 KM CLTC. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 6.9 seconds.

The EV features a modern, aerodynamic design with LED lighting, a 15.4-inch infotainment screen, a 10.2-inch digital cluster, and smart features such as wireless charging, voice command, and a panoramic sunroof. A full suite of safety tech is also included, from six airbags to blind-spot monitoring and AEB.

Geely’s EX5 in Nepal officially comes in two variants, the Pro and Max, priced at NPR5.8 million (RM186,000) and NPR6.8 million (RM218,000). 

Still, for roughly the same price, Proton offers the e.MAS 7 also in two variants, Prime and Premium - at NPR5,699,000 (RM183,000) and NPR6,799,000 (RM218,000) respectively. Crucially, it offers buyers a choice between two battery capacities, 49.52 kWh (345 KM WLTP) and a larger 60.22 kWh (410 KM WLTP).

Based on our previous report, early response has been strong for the e.MAS 7, with over 50 units shipped to Nepal before launch and a nationwide roadshow that helped raise public interest.

Proton’s distributor in Nepal is Jagdamba Motors, while the Geely EX5 is brought in by LRR Motors. In a fast-growing EV market like Nepal, with 73% of total vehicle sales in 2024 already electric, brand loyalty and ground-level experience will likely be deciding factors. 

Between the EX5’s and the e.MAS 7, Nepalese buyers are now surely spoilt for choice, warranting a test drive to see which will best fit the country’s road conditions. It will be interesting to revisit this again a year down the road to look at how both almost similar offerings had fared.