Earlier, the comparison between the Volvo XC40 and the Geely Coolray crossover revealed plenty of common ground. Some components could be swapped, though there were clear differences as well. Now the focus shifts to the Geely Tugella coupe crossover in relation to Volvo, with the official stance claiming they ride on a shared Chinese-Swedish SMA platform.
Is this claim accurate, and what advantages might owners gain from such kinship?
We study marking
Tugella is equipped with a two-liter 4G20TDB turbo engine delivering 238 horsepower. Volvo uses the B4204T engine, offered in two power levels: 190 and 249 hp. Both are two-liter units and turbocharged. The article has already outlined the key differences between these engines.
Once the crankcase protection and top trim panels were removed, it became evident that both engines are essentially the same unit. The divergence lies in badges and software. Even the expansion tank appears identical; only the coolant color differs.
To satisfy curiosity, the authors attempted to read Volvo with Geely’s diagnostic software. The system recognizes the car, yet further actions are blocked by an opaque VIN configuration, rendering some diagnostics unusable.
Removing the trim panels often makes it difficult to tell exactly which engine bay one is looking at. The Geely side uses coolant of a different color and a different battery essentially by branding. Removing the ignition coils and spark plugs shows that the Geely engine carries Lynk & Co decals, while the XC40 bears the familiar Denso and NGK labels. In practice, there is no functional difference. The tested “Chinese” spark plugs matched the parameters of the Swedish engine’s plugs.
Consumables follow suit; air and oil filters mirror those used in the XC40. This is good news for Volvo owners, not only those driving the XC40. The two-liter engine is used across the brand’s range. Chinese-made consumables tend to be three to four times cheaper than Volvo-branded parts, and visually there is no noticeable difference in quality.
Despite differing markings, the engines in the two crossovers are the same at their core. The main distinctions are the badges and the software tuning.
The oil filter housing sits at the bottom. Geely’s version bears Lynk & Co branding rather than Volvo’s.
The automatic transmission tells a similar story: Tugella and XC40 both use an eight-speed Aisin TG‑81SC hydromechanical unit. Economical substitutions are unlikely here, as there are no viable Chinese substitutes with proven reliability for this gearbox. ATF AW‑1 fluid costs about 3,500–4,000 rubles per liter, and to maintain the gearbox’s longevity, replacement is recommended every 60,000 kilometers, requiring eight liters of fluid.
Platform
The transmission arrangements show no differences either. The BorgWarner (Haldex) coupling, a staple in Volvo models, is present in Geely as well. Out of curiosity, a brand-new BorgWarner clutch pump from stock was compared to the unnamed Chinese unit, and they were found to be functionally identical. The fifth-generation Haldex fluid is readily available from multiple brands, including options packaged with Volkswagen and Volvo branding. Replacement is advised every 60–70 thousand kilometers, preferably more often. One liter is typically sufficient, with prices ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 rubles.
Judging by the exposed chassis, one can’t reliably tell which car is on the hoist. Front control arms, stabilizers, and shock absorbers show no meaningful differences between Geely and Volvo. In the suspension system, the design also matches closely. The CMA platform underpins full compatibility across components such as control arms, bushings, anti-roll bars, dampers, and subframes; when a Volvo parts shelf is short, the Geely network becomes a practical fallback for consumables.
The brake systems exhibit commonality as well, though Tugella’s calipers come with red paint and Lynk & Co branding instead of Volvo emblems. Genuine Geely pads cost about 12,000 rubles, compared to roughly 16,000 rubles for Volvo pads. In practice, Geely pads performed well, and the Chinese solution adds a wear indicator bracket to monitor pad life, though it introduces an extra creaking bracket as a sensor.
The shared CMA platform also enables complete interchangeability of the multi-link rear suspension down to each fastener.
China will help!
From a hardware perspective, the Tugella and XC40 feel like siblings. Volvo owners can reasonably save on many components without sacrificing quality when using genuine Geely parts. As for the engine and transmission, Tugella aligns with the broader Volvo lineup, suggesting that Geely’s expansion in the Russian market could please owners of Swedish cars as well.
WHAT TO CHOOSE?
Geely Tugella currently lists around four million rubles. If the appeal of Volvo remains strong, that budget could secure a nearly new XC40. A four-million-ruble purchase can equal a one-year-old car with under 20,000 kilometers. There are vehicles with the same two-liter gasoline or diesel engine, sharing a large number of common consumables.
Alternatively, one could opt for older SPA-platform models. A midsize XC60 at roughly four million might be two to three years old, with 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers on the clock. Typically these are aligned with the T5 gasoline setup (250 hp) or diesel variants. The XC90 remains available, though older, around 2018–2019, with mileage in the 60,000–70,000 range. The 90-series often uses the same T5 turbo four, around 250 hp, or a 235 hp diesel.
MANUFACTURER DATA
| Yellow Tugella | Volvo XC40 T5 | |
| Empty weight / gross weight | 1815 / 2115kg | 1781 / 2220 kg |
| Acceleration time 0–100 km/h | 6.9 seconds | 6.5 seconds |
| maximum speed | 210 km/h | 230 km/h |
| Fuel / fuel reserve | AI-95 / 54 liters | AI-95 / 54 liters |
| Fuel consumption: urban / extra-urban / mixed cycle | 11.4 / 6.3 / 8.1 l / 100km | 8.9 / 6.0 / 7.1 l / 100km |
| ENGINE | ||
| Type | petrol | petrol |
| Place | front, transverse | front, transverse |
| Configuration / number of valves | R4/16 | R4/16 |
| Work volume | 1969 cm3 | 1969 cm3 |
| Current | 175 kW/238 hp at 5500 rpm | 183 kW/249 hp at 5500 rpm |
| Couple | 350 Nm at 4500 rpm | 350 Nm at 4800 rpm |
| TRANSFER | ||
| type of drive | full | full |
| Transfer | A8 | A8 |
| Gear ratios: I / II / III / IV / V / VI / VII / VIII / zh | 5.25 / 3.03 / 1.95 / 1.46 / 1.22 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 0.67 / 4.01 | 5.25 / 3.03 / 1.95 / 1.46 / 1.22 / 1.00 / 0.81 / 0.67 / 4.01 |
| main gear | 3.33 | 3.33 |
| CHASSIS | ||
| Suspension: front/rear | McPherson / multilink | McPherson / multilink |
| To steer | rack and pinion, with electric booster | rack and pinion, with electric booster |
| Brakes: front / rear | ventilated disk / disk | disk, ventilated |
| Tyres | 245/45R20 | 235/55 R18 |
The cost of some spare parts, rubles
| Tugella | XC40 | |
| Air filter | 970 | 3900 |
| Oil filter | 700 | 2500 |
| Spark plug | 2100 | 3400 |
| ignition coil | 3700 | 5600 |
| Front stabilizer bar | 1500 | 5200 |
Disclaimer: figures and comparisons reflect observed configurations and should be verified with official sources before purchase or maintenance decisions.
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