Geely

EX2

The Geely EX2 is a compact electric hatchback that proves that Chinese offerings are now more competitive than ever next to their European rivals. The EX2 offers Tardis-like proportions with a small exterior, big interior and it’s available in lots of bright, vibrant colours. 

Test Drive

Geely EX2 – First Drive (2026)

You might think that Geely is a relatively new brand, and you’d be right for the UK market, but wrong in mainland China.

Geely Holdings is one of China’s largest vehicle manufacturers and is the umbrella company for many established European brands such as Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, Smart, LEVC and Geely.

Now, the Chinese firm is stretching its legs in Europe and the EX2 is the third model it’s introducing in less than a year since its first car went on sale – the EX5.

The EX2 is a compact electric supermini and it has big boots to fill as it’s currently one of China’s best-selling cars – badged the Geome Xinguan in its home market.

At first glance, the EX2 has a simple design which is no bad thing. The front of the car incorporates a smiley face appearance, inductive headlights and semi-concealed door handles. Other details include the rear spoiler, privacy glass, 16-inch alloy wheels and options such as bonnet stripes, which give this little car a vibrant character.

Its cabin is very Chinese with a minimalist design and features an instrument panel which has been waterfall-inspired. The main focal point is a 14.6-inch touchscreen system which includes lots of features such as an in-built satellite navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and this is complemented by an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster. There is also an AI-powered intelligent voice assistant to help with navigation, climate settings and other functions without the need to take your hands off the steering wheel.

The EX2 is powered by a choice of two battery packs – a 35kWh set-up that can deliver up to a claimed 156 miles between charges, or a larger 47kWh unit that can manage a claimed WLTP figure of 214 miles.

Customers will be able to choose from three trim levels called Pro, Max and Ultra and all models are rear-wheel drive. Meanwhile, prices start at just £20,990 for the entry-level Pro car and increase to £25,490 for the high-end Ultra specification.

Out on the road, we were driving the EX2 Ultra with the 47kWh battery hooked up to a single electric motor that develops 114bhp and 150Nm of torque. It can accelerate to 62mph in 11.5 seconds and will run out of puff at 81mph.

The EX2 doesn’t provide the most scintillating driving experience but it’s more than adequate and does the job in a fuss-free manner. City dwellers will be absolutely fine with the smaller 35kWh battery car, though those travelling further afield will be better suited to the 47kWh model, like the one we’ve been testing.

At motorway speeds, there is a noticeable amount of wind and road noise that enters the cabin, but the large glass area makes all-round visibility very clear – ideal for those tricky city manoeuvres. On a twisty road, there is a sufficient amount of grip, the car is balanced and there is ample power to overtake slower-moving traffic when it’s safe to do so.

To boost driver engagement, the EX2 is equipped with several drive modes called Eco, Comfort, Sport and Snow, while there are different variations on the car’s regenerative braking. However there is no one-pedal drive mode and the regen braking levels have to be adjusted through the car’s touchscreen – sadly, there are no handy steering wheel-mounted paddles.

Space inside the EX2 is truly impressive though with a couple of six-foot-plus adults able to get comfortable in the front, while rear-seat passengers shouldn’t complain about the generous amount of room on offer – something that can’t be said for a lot of EX2’s rivals. The flat floor makes it easier for the middle-seat passenger to get comfortable and the raised front seats allow occupants to slide their feet underneath.

Storage throughout is impressive with no more than 36 compartments dotted about the cabin with a 10-litre capacity pull-out draw instead of a glovebox, a vast space beneath the centre console, door bins, seat back pockets, a central cubby, front cup holders, a wireless charging pad, some tray and three USB-C charging ports.

Open the boot, which is powered on our top-spec Ultra car, and there is a 375-litre capacity, which increases to 1,320 litres when you lower the 60:40 split-folding rear bench. Additionally, the EX2 comes fitted with a 70-litre frunk, which is ideal for storing the car’s charging cables.

In terms of charging, the EX2 features an 11kW on-board charger and the larger 47kWh model can gain a 30 to 80 per cent charge in 25 minutes via a 160kW rapid DC charger. If you’re using a 7kW AC home wallbox, then a 10 to 100 per cent top-up will take seven hours, 10 minutes. For added convenience, the EX2 offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities which can power electrical appliances such as a BBQ or coffee machine using the car’s battery.

All variants of the EX2 come with the latest safety features and drive assist systems, though the car has not been crash tested by Euro NCAP. But, Geely’s other models, the Starray and EX5, have been tested and were both awarded the maximum five-star rating.

All in all, we are really impressed with the Geely EX2 as it’s small on the outside, big on the inside. It has quirky looks, drives well and comes in at a very affordable price. It’s just a shame that its interior ergonomics are let down by being very touchscreen-dependent.

With compact electric cars growing in popularity, the EX2 definitely deserves to do well with what it has to offer at this price point.