Head to Head: Geely Okavango vs Maxus G50

When it comes to moving people on a budget, two new vehicles come to mind. One is a minivan-like 8-seater and the other is more of a midsize crossover that also happens to be a 7-seater vehicle. These two new options are the 2021 Maxus G50 and the 2021 Geely Okavango. Affordable people movers that both come with 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engines. With that said we compare the two vehicles to see which one comes out on top with the better value for money proposition

Taking a look at the Geely Okavango and Maxus G50 reveals two different approaches to people hauler designs. The Okavango goes with a more SUV-like exterior that comes with muscular and masculine lines. The G50, on the other hand, goes with a boxier minivan-like design which is appropriate for its relatively longer dimensions. 

In terms of lighting equipment, both are on a similar playing field as LED headlights are present on both models. It is important to remember that the lower variants of the G50 come with halogen projectors, while the Okavango has LEDs available across its model lineup.

Moving on to the rear and it is a similar case to the front as LED tail lamps are also available as standard for both vehicles. A power tailgate option is also present in the higher-end models of the Okavango and G50, while the lower and mid grades get manually operated ones instead. Wheel and tire sizes between the two are similar in that there are variants that come with 17-inch alloy wheels. The Maxus G50, however, does come with a variant that has 16-inch wheels, while the Okavango comes with a much bigger set of 18-inch wheels for its higher trim level.

Winner: Geely Okavango

A closer look at the interior of both vehicles reveals that they are similar in design. Both feature a two-layer dashboard that is accented by a large infotainment system at the center, digital gauges are also present on the Okavango, while the G50 comes with a mix of analog and digital. Comparing their infotainment systems reveals that the G50 has the larger unit as it measures in at 12.3-inches, the Okavango, on the other hand, comes with a 10.25-inch unit. It is important to note that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available on either unit, instead they utilize their own proprietary applications to mirror your smartphone’s functionality. 

As far as their adaptive seating is concerned, both come with a leather option for seating material. One thing to remember, however, is the Maxus in its highest trim will come with red accents on the seats, while the Geely just comes in plain black. The G50 is also an 8-seater, while its Geely counterpart is a 7-seater. 

The Okavango has the advantage of having all of the seats completely fold flat which allows for maximum space inside the vehicle. Geely Philippines even sells a tailor-made inflatable bed specifically for the vehicle. The Maxus G50, on the other hand, while its seats do fold, they don’t fold completely, creating a slight upward angle in the middle row. This limits the available space inside the vehicle as you head further inside the cabin. However, it is essential to note that both vehicles do have second-row seats that can be moved independently from one another. The Okavango has three individual seats for its second-row, while the G50 has a 60/40 configuration. 

When it comes to cooling its passengers, both vehicles are well equipped. The Maxus comes with an automatic climate control system with vents for all occupants. The Geely Okavango, on the other hand, sports a 3-zone automatic climate control system for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers to all have their desired temperatures. Rear vents are also found in the Geely 7-seater allowing for better cooling.

If you are after one more extra seat and a bigger infotainment system then the G50 has the upper hand, however, if you want more standard interior features along with a bigger cargo space when needed then the Okavango could be ideal for you. Whichever vehicle you pick will depend on the needs you have for it and as such we have scored this category as a tie as both vehicles have their own unique merits about them. 

Winner: Tie

Where safety is concerned both the Okavango and G50 come well equipped. Both vehicles come standard with dual front airbags, while the higher models gain access to more. The Premium variant of the G50 comes with the addition of front side airbags, while the Urban variant of the Okavango gains side and curtain airbags. 360-degree cameras are also present in both vehicles, however, they are only found on the mid and high-end models. Lower variants, do get a reverse camera as standard. Aside from this, both vehicles come standard with ABS and EBD, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an engine immobilizer. 

To distinguish itself from its Geely competitor, the G50 comes with EBA+ HHC, front and rear parking sensors, an electronic stabilization program, and ISOFIX tethers. The Okavango, on the other hand, comes with hill descent control, hill start assist, and rear parking sensors available for both of its variants. Overall this puts both people haulers within a close approximation of one another as the difference between the two is minimal. 

Winner: Tie

Under the hood, both vehicles carry with them a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. The only difference between the one that the Okavango has and what the G50 utilizes is that the Geely powerplant is further assisted by a mild hybrid system and only has 3-cylinders. 

In terms of total output, the Okavango has a substantial lead over its rival. Its motor produces 190hp and 300 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a wet 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. In the case of the G50, its engine produces 167hp and 250 Nm of torque, just like its competitor it sends power strictly to the front wheels only. While power delivery is smooth for the Maxus MPV, it still loses out in terms of the raw output of the mild hybrid system that its Geely competitor has. 

Winner: Geely Okavango

When it comes to pricing both vehicles are roughly within P40,000 of one another for their top of the line models. A quick look at the Maxus G50 price list, reveals that the vehicle comes in at a more affordable price range. With a starting price of just shy of P1.1M the gasoline fed 8-seater MPV has an advantage over its competitor thanks to its competitive price point. As many of the features found on the entry-level variant are present in the higher-end G50 Premium model there is no denying the value for money that it offers.

Looking at the Geely Okavango’s price list, on the other hand, indicates that it is the more expensive vehicle out of the two. Its entry-level model, while priced competitively at around the P1.2M mark starts relatively close to where the G50’s top of the line model is positioned. However, it is important to note that just like its Maxus rival it has a lot of standard features present in the entry-level model that is also found on the range-topping variant. With that in mind, you do get a lot more power for its higher price point which could benefit you greatly when you want to maximize its occupancy capacity. It is also one of the more affordable 7-seater mild hybrids available on the market, which will further help you get the most out of your fuel. 

Winner: Maxus G50

For this head to head the Geely Okavango comes out on top. While it is the more expensive vehicle it does come with more power under the hood as well as a better exterior kit across its local lineup. When it comes to utilizing the entire 7-seater capacity that the Geely offers, having that extra horsepower and torque will surely help you out when carrying heavy loads. This makes the vehicle ideal for those who frequently bring cargo around in their vehicle or use it on family road trips. The addition of the mild-hybrid system also aids the Okavango when it comes to fuel economy as its 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo engine is already punchy as it is.