2026 Geely EX2 review

China's Geely is one of the fastest-growing auto brands in Australia, and its all-new EX2 light electric hatch arrives as the new entry point to its otherwise SUV-heavy model lineup.

With bubbly styling and pastel paintwork, it's aimed primarily at first-car buyers and those in need of a cute little urban runabout.

Several compact, affordable electric vehicles (EV) are already sold here, but this one stands out for its sheer popularity back home – the five-door, five-seat EX2 was the best-selling EV in China last year, with almost 466,000 units sold.

So, what's all the fuss about? We took a top-spec EX2 for a spin around Sydney to find out.

How much does the Geely EX2 cost?

The EX2 is Australia's second-cheapest EV, behind only the smaller BYD Atto 1.

To further strengthen the value proposition, customers who order and take delivery of a Geely EX2 before August 31 will receive a complimentary 7kW home EV charger and premium paint upgrade, the latter valued at $600.

Other competitors in the electric city car segment include the larger MG 4 EV Urban (from $31,990 drive-away), BYD Dolphin (from $29,990 before on-road costs), GAC Aion UT (from $31,990 excluding ORCs), and Leapmotor B05 ($35,990 drive-away until September 30). Later this year we'll get the Honda Super-One, priced from $36,900 drive-away, plus a cheaper version of the Aion UT.

Traditional, petrol-powered alternatives also deserve mention, namely the similarly sized MG 3 (from $20,990 plus ORCs), Suzuki Swift (from $24,990 plus ORCs), Mazda 2 (from $29,990 drive-away), and Toyota Yaris (from $28,990 plus ORCs).

To see how the Geely EX2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What is the Geely EX2 like on the inside?

You can't ask for much more from a bargain-basement city car.

In base specification the EX2 does a lot right, while the Inspire tested here goes well beyond that, serving up a sublime combination of practicality, technology and comfort for the price point.

Starting with the latter, both variants score power-adjustable leatherette-trimmed front seats with generous cushioning that won't leave you aching after a long journey. The Inspire adds heating functions for the seats and steering wheel – a godsend for those cold winter mornings.

Better yet, the attractive two-tone steering wheel telescopes out a long way, making it easier for taller drivers to find an ergonomic driving position. Those with large hands mightn't appreciate its petite dimensions, though.

Still, the EX2 caters to drivers of all shapes and sizes, which can't be said of all small cars.

It doesn't necessarily cater towards an older audience, though, given how central its digital screens are to the user experience. Most vehicle functions are embedded within the 14.6-inch infotainment system, so a certain level of tech proficiency is required to operate the EX2.

The multimedia touchscreen itself is huge for a car of this size but, more importantly, it's visually sharp, super-responsive to touch inputs, and loaded with useful features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, native navigation, and a connected app store.

There are some annoying quirks, though. For example, it takes three taps to heat the seats or steering wheel, as neither function is pinned to the home screen.

Having said that, voice control is on hand to make life a little easier, and younger buyers should have no issues coming to terms with the interface given they spend most waking moments with a smartphone in hand.

On the topic of smartphones, Geely Connected Services is now active for the EX2, with free access included for 24 months from activation. A renewed Geely App will provide remote access to various vehicle functions including door and window control, climate control, vehicle status monitoring, scheduled charging, and more. Emergency Call (eCall) functionality is due to be activated in the fourth quarter of this year via an over-the-air (OTA) software update.

Partnering the infotainment screen is a similarly polished 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster that sits flush with the dash and presents important driving data in an uncluttered manner.

You can cycle through a variety of different readouts, although it isn't immediately obvious how. As it turns out, this requires you to press and hold the left-hand steering wheel track/music control button for about two seconds until arrows appear at the bottom of the cluster display, at which point you can then use the right-hand steering wheel controls to select a preferred layout. Talk about overcomplicated.

But why waste time fiddling with the driver's display when there's a 256-colour ambient lighting system to play with!? All it takes is a few taps for your favourite colour to shine through the galactic lighting panels on the dash and door cards, personalising an otherwise generic space.

Audio comes through six speakers in the Inspire, and I must say I was impressed by the sound quality after experiencing eight truly dreadful speakers in the BYD Seal 6 Touring. So if you love cranking up the volume for some impromptu karaoke, this could be the car for you.

Not so much if you value traditional notions of luxury as, seats and steering wheel aside, the EX2 feels more Toyworld than Gucci inside. Most of the interior is shod in hard, scratchy plastics of various colours and textures, all of which come off as particularly cheap, even by segment standards.

At least the centre armrest is soft enough as to not bruise your elbow. And heck, some small hatchbacks like the Mazda 2 and Suzuki Swift don't come with an armrest at all.

Lift its lid and you’ll find one of a claimed 30 storage spaces in the EX2 – good luck finding anywhere near that many in most similarly sized cars.

Personal favourites include the vast lower tray, slide-out glovebox drawer, and door bins large enough to swallow one of those 1L Frank Green drink bottles all the kids are hauling around these days.

By moving the gear selector to the steering column, Geely has freed up useful space on the centre console for drinks and phones. It helps that there aren’t many physical buttons competing for real estate, with temperature, fan and media controls all housed within the infotainment screen.

USB-A and USB-C outlets are fitted up front, while the phone tray doubles as a wireless phone charger. That said, it couldn’t penetrate my thick Quad Lock case, so some owners may still find themselves reaching for a cable.

The EX2 is officially classified as a 'light car', but it sure as hell doesn't feel like that in the second row.

Because while it might look cute and dainty in photos, this electric hatch is properly roomy from front to rear. So much so that I – a broad, six-one adult – was able to get comfortable behind my preferred driving position. And when I say comfortable, I mean seated naturally with kneeroom, toeroom and headroom to spare.

The same simply isn’t possible in a Corolla or Mazda 3, let alone their smaller Yaris and Mazda 2 siblings. That’s not to say the EX2 stands head and shoulders above all others, as the Aion UT and Dolphin are similarly spacious in the second row.

All three EVs also feature a flat floor, which makes the middle seat more usable than it would be in most petrol-powered hatchbacks.

However, the EX2 has a slightly different ambience, trading a glass roof for light headlining that keeps the cabin feeling open and airy.

It makes up the resulting lack of wow-factor with a strong set of rear amenities, namely twin air vents, a USB-A outlet and one-touch windows, although there's no centre armrest.

Instead, drinks are best kept in the roomy door bins, while map pockets and a small phone nook below the USB outlet provide extra storage. Geely’s integrated-frame seat design unlocks an additional 28L of under-seat space – perfect for small travel bags and backpacks.

Practicality remains the top priority out back.

The Inspire's powered tailgate rises high to reveal a claimed 375L of boot capacity – more than most small hatches on sale today – along with a wide aperture that further improves accessibility. Be careful when loading bulky items though, because there's a sharp drop down to the floor.

Folding the rear seatbacks via pull tabs on each side unlocks more cargo space, although it also leaves a large step up from the boot floor.

A basic load cover and bag hooks are fitted as standard, while a deep 70L 'frunk' serves as a likely home for charging cables and/or the tyre repair kit.

To see how the Geely EX2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What's under the bonnet?

Both versions of the EX2 are powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor, although the Inspire extracts greater performance and driving range out of its larger battery pack.

Like the the EX5 and Starray EM-i SUVs already sold here, the EX2 sits on Geely's Global Intelligent Electric Architecture (GIEA), offering up to 80kW DC fast-charging and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.

It also comes standard with MacPherson-type strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, electric power steering, and four drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport and Snow).

To see how the Geely EX2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How does the Geely EX2 drive?

On the road, the EX2 has a serious Achilles' heel that's impossible to ignore. And no, it's not the powertrain.

Because while 85kW and 150Nm is on the low side for a near-1400kg car, it's still enough for this city slicker to feel sprightly between the speeds of 0-60km/h.

At the same time, the power isn't delivered with overwhelming immediacy, and there's never enough grunt to upset the tyres or chassis. As such, it's hard to imagine a first-car buyer accidentally driving their EX2into a hedge. Nor are they likely to cop many speeding tickets.

That's not to say you can't reach triple-figure speeds in the EX2, because you can. Sure, it takes a while, but at least you don't have to listen to the thrashing of a gutless combustion engine under the bonnet.

Efficiency also helps make up for the performance deficit. The EX2 may not be especially quick, but our tested energy consumption of 13.8kWh/100km is among the best in its class, reinforcing its appeal as an affordable urban EV.

So, if a lack of go isn't the issue, then what is? Intrusive safety systems, perhaps? After all, that is becoming an all too common complaint.

Not even.

Geely’s suite of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) is nowhere near as obnoxious as the equivalent setup in the Aion UT. Yes, there’s a camera-based driver monitoring system that interrupts your music to warn of inattention, and lane-keep assist regularly nibbles at the steering. Both become tedious, but the EX2 at least lets you create a custom ADAS profile for quicker deactivation of the worst offenders.

And, unlike the Aion UT, it comes with straightforward, reliable semi-autonomous driving tech for longer journeys.

The EX2 is a pretty quiet thing on the highway, too, protecting its occupants from outside noise better than larger and more expensive vehicles.

It can't, however, protect them from Australian road surfaces, and that's its downfall. Despite boasting a sophisticated suspension setup – MacPherson struts up front and multi-link at the rear – and modest 16-inch alloys, the EX2 simply doesn't ride as well as it should.

Even over relatively smooth surfaces it rarely feels settled, bobbling away beneath you, while the rear-end is short on rebound control over larger undulations.

Compliance is likewise lacking. Road joins, reflectors and shallow ruts can send surprisingly sharp thumps through the cabin, and bigger hits seem to use up the suspension travel altogether.

Yet, for all this perceived harshness, the EX2 is far from sporty. Yokohama BluEarth GT tyres provide plentiful grip, at least in the dry, and you don't get the sense the car is about to fall over going around high-speed bends.

Still, it becomes clear during urban driving that stability and agility are very different things.

Approach a 90-degree turn and the steering is slow to react, leaving the EX2 somewhat reluctant to change direction compared to, say, a Mazda 2. Carry a little more speed and it quickly leans onto its outside tyres, with pronounced body roll and understeer taking over.

In other words, there's no benefit to driving the EX2 with any real enthusiasm. For the optimal experience, drive it like your grandmother would – gently.

Doing so draws attention to the things it does well around town, where good visibility, light controls and compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre and park. Apprehensive drivers also stand to benefit from the high-resolution surround-view monitor and its clever camera angles including a kerb view.

It’s worth experimenting with the drive settings, too, because the EX2 is more configurable than just about all of its competitors.

Don't expect a miracle cure for the aforementioned flaws, but there are multiple drive modes, regenerative braking levels, steering weights and brake pedal responses, giving owners plenty of scope to tailor the car to their preferences.

Braking is something this newcomer does well. The left pedal is soft yet progressive in its delivery of stopping power, while the option of strong, immediate regen removes the need to use it as much as you would in other small cars.

To see how the Geely EX2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

What do you get?

Two grades are offered – Complete and Inspire.

2026 Geely EX2 Complete equipment highlights:

• 16-inch steel wheels with covers
• Tyre repair kit
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• LED daytime running lights
• Rear LED fog lights
• Rear spoiler
• Hill descent control
• Privacy glass
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry and start
• Automatic climate control
• 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless Apple CarPlay
• Three USB outlets (2 x USB-A, 1 x USB-C)
• Geely Connected Services:
• • Voice Assistant
  • 4G network connection
  • Live traffic data for satellite navigation
  • Over-the-air updates
  • Geely Application Store
  • Online media streaming
  • Remote vehicle functions
• Four-speaker sound system
• Leatherette upholstery
• Six-way power driver's seat
• Four-way power front passenger seat
• Front centre armrest
• 60:40-split/folding rear bench
• ISOFIX child-seat anchors (outer rear seats)
• Top-tether anchorages

The EX2 Inspire adds:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Contrasting black roof
• Power tailgate
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated front seats
• Six-speaker sound system
• 15W wireless smartphone charger
• Multi-colour ambient lighting

The EX2 is available in six exterior colours across both model grades, with Moon White as the standard finish. Nebula Beige, Star Silver, Aurora Green, Comet Grey and Nova Pink each cost an additional $600.

Horizon Grey is the standard interior colour across the range, while Inspire buyers can also choose Skyline White at no additional cost, regardless of exterior colour.

To see how the Geely EX2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

Is the Geely EX2 safe?

The Geely EX2 has yet to be rated by independent safety authorities ANCAP and Euro NCAP.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Seven airbags (front, side, curtain and centre)
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear-view camera
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver fatigue alert
• Evasive Manoeuvre Assist
• Front cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep assist
• Automatic lane-change assist
• Emergency lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Safe exit warning
• Traffic sign information

The EX2 Inspire adds:

• Surround-view monitor with transparent view
• Individual tyre pressure monitoring

To see how the Geely EX2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

How much does the Geely EX2 cost to run?

Geely offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, plus an eight-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for the high-voltage battery.

The EX2 requires servicing every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first, with Geely offering seven years of capped-price servicing.

Prepaid scheduled servicing packages are also available, priced at $517 for three years (saving $128); $1190 for five years (saving $297); and $1642 for seven years (saving $410).

For context, GAC doesn't offer prepaid or capped-price servicing for the Aion UT, while the BYD Dolphin costs $2291 to maintain over seven years.

Roadside assistance is offered for 12 months, and renews for an additional 12 months when the EX2 is serviced at an authorised Geely service centre for up to seven years.

To see how the Geely EX2 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool

CarExpert's Take on the Geely EX2

Ironically, this little car's biggest selling point is that it isn't particularly little inside.

With space for five adults (something not all models in this category offer), seemingly unlimited cabin storage and a big boot, the EX2 is far more practical than any other light-class car on sale today.

It's competitively priced, too, as well as efficient, and generously equipped in Inspire guise. The Complete is less compelling, given its smaller battery and stripped-back specs.

And regardless of the variant, the EX2 lacks an ANCAP rating, which could deter some safety-conscious buyers.

Poor ride quality is another sticking point, taking the shine off an otherwise compelling urban runabout. The EX2 isn’t tied down well enough to feel sporty, yet isn’t tuned to feel comfortable over the patched, uneven roads that are common around Australian cities either.

With that in mind, you should take it for a test drive alongside the more mature MG 4 EV Urban before opening your wallet.

Alternatively, hold tight for a more comprehensive follow-up review, by which point Honda’s charming Super-One could also be in the frame.

CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Geely EX2. Click here to get a great deal.

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MORE: Explore the Geely EX2 showroom