Geely EX2 Inspire review: a spacious, value-first electric hatch with a few acceptable trade-offs

I was first introduced to the Geely EX2 on a media trip in April 2025, shortly after that year's Shanghai Auto Show.

It was only a brief opportunity to drive the car in a random Chinese carpark, in the hero Aurora Green optional colour, which is an additional $600 on top of the price, but it was enough to leave an impression. What struck me straight away was the layout. Geely has clearly prioritised maximising interior space within a genuinely small footprint, and it shows the moment you sit in it.

The interior also has a premium feel that broadly matches what you get in the EX5 and the Starray EM-i, Geely's larger models sold in Australia. That said, the door trims are a reminder that the EX2 is a price-point seller in China first. You get a harder plastic treatment on the doors rather than the nicer textured plastics used elsewhere in this segment. It's a fair trade-off for the price, but worth acknowledging. This is a price-point EV, not a luxury small SUV, and it doesn't pretend otherwise.

At the time, Geely International and Australia, were very clear - it wasn't coming to Australia.

Fast forward just over 12 months, and the EX2 (named Xingyuan in China) has sold over 500,000 units, making it the #1 selling car in China for 2025. And now, its Australia's turn!

Based on current Victorian drive-away pricing offered by our Geely Cranbourne dealership, the entry EX2 Complete starts from $29,250 with 6 months or $29,700 with 12 months registration.

The Inspire tested here, the longer-range, better-equipped of the two grades, starts from $33,990 with 6 months registration or $34,400 with 12 months registration.

Pricing and registration offers are valid at time of publishing, but can change, so it's worth confirming the current offers with our team.

Moon White is an included colour, however Aurora Green, Nebula Beige, Star Silver, Nova Pink and Comet Grey are an additional $600.

The Geely EX2 is available in 6 youthful colours, Moon White, Aurora Green, Nebula Beige, Star Silver, Nova Pink and Comet Grey.

My local Australian drive assessment was on a full day press launch drive in Sydney earlier this month. Ride and handling showed real promise, with steering dynamics that should impress most buyers cross-shopping this segment. Part of that comes down to the EX2's European-tuned suspension, developed with input from Geely's Lotus engineering team based in Europe, and it's a noticeable difference in how the car settles into corners compared to a lot of budget EVs it competes with, albeit not 100% perfect vs a good local tune.

Mechanically, the EX2 runs a rear-wheel-drive layout with MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link independent rear setup, a combination that adds a genuine dose of fun to what could otherwise be a fairly clinical city car. It's not a hot hatch by any measure, but the chassis balance is more engaging than the price tag suggests it should be.

The infotainment system runs Flyme Auto, built by Meizu, Geely's consumer electronics division best known for affordable phones and tablets in China. That heritage shows in the software. It has a genuinely user-first feel to the layout and menu structure, more like operating a well-designed phone than wrestling with typical automotive infotainment.

Owners will appreciate a 14.6" High Definition screen that offers plenty of realestate for wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, blind spot cameras and what could be a best-in-class for day and night time clarity - a 540 degree camera system (basically a 360 degree view and the extra 180 degree view is the transparent chassis view). The driver is not forgotten, with an 8.8" display for vital driving information including remaining range/battery charge level, speed and driver assistance aids.

Is the Geely EX2 Safe?

The EX2 comes with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance technology for its price point, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive and intelligent cruise control, lane keeping assistance, lane change assist, blind spot detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert with braking, traffic sign recognition, driver fatigue alert, and a 540 degree surround view monitor with 3D vehicle view for tighter parking. On the passive side, it's backed by seven airbags, front, side, curtain, and a centre airbag between the front seats, along with front and rear outer seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.

One feature that has found its way across from Geely's sibling Volvo, is Evasive Manoeuvre Assist. It's designed to support the driver during a sudden, high-speed steering manoeuvre used to avoid an obstacle, a pedestrian stepping out unexpectedly, for example, in situations where braking alone wouldn't be enough to prevent a collision. It's a more advanced piece of safety technology than you'd typically expect at this price point, and we've put together a closer look at how Evasive Manoeuvre Assist actually works.

The Inspire is rated at up to 345km on the WLTP cycle, which sits on the lower side compared with a number of competitors now pushing past 400km.

In my own testing for Road Trip Reviews, though, the EX2 has generally delivered on its advertised efficiency figures, and at highway speeds of 100km/h and above, Geely has often beaten many of its competitors. Between 90 and 100km/h specifically, I've consistently seen efficiency come in well ahead of the claimed number on the bigger EX5, both in my own testing and in figures reported by other media. The EX2 should be no different. That's an important consideration for EV buyers in a segment where plenty of cars fall well short of their advertised efficiency once you're actually on the road at highway commuting speeds.

It's not the most powerful car in its class either, with 85kW and 150Nm on tap in the Inspire, but it's zippy enough to be genuinely fun around Melbourne's suburbs and on weekend trips, without ever feeling like it's straining. Remember, EVs deliver instant torque, so you'll feel more of the power on hand than a conventional petrol or diesel vehicle.

The EX2 may be small, but makes good use of its compact footprint. Boot space runs to 375 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,320 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats folded flat. There's also a small front storage compartment, a frunk of around 70 litres, with remote release, useful for stashing charging cables without eating into boot space.

Inside, you get a drawer-style glovebox, a front centre armrest with two cupholders, under-seat storage in the second row, and a luggage compartment cover to keep gear out of sight.

This is where the EX2 shows its price point. DC fast charging peaks at 60kW on the Complete and 80kW on the Inspire, both towards the lower end of this segment. If you're planning to charge publicly on a frequent basis, road trips being the obvious example, that's worth factoring in before you buy.

For context, the GWM Ora 5 outshines most of its competitors here with DC charging speeds of up to 120kW, so if fast public charging matters to how you'll use the car, it's worth cross-shopping directly against the EX2 on this specific point.

Servicing is due every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first, under Geely's 7 year, 140,000km Assured Service Pricing program. Costs aren't evenly spread across the term, most visits sit between $171 and $303, but the 48 month/80,000km service jumps to $671, likely covering more substantial scheduled maintenance items:

Geely also offers prepaid service plans, purchased with the vehicle and activated within the first 12 months of ownership. These lock in current pricing against future increases, are transferable if you sell the car, can be redeemed at any Geely Authorised Service Dealer nationally, and include Geely Premium Roadside Assistance for the plan's full term. All work is covered for parts, labour and fluids, carried out by Geely-trained technicians using manufacturer diagnostic equipment.

It's a strong fit for buyers who mostly drive around Melbourne's suburbs and want genuine interior space in a small footprint, without stretching to SUV money. It also suits anyone who charges predominantly at home overnight, since the slower public charging speed matters far less when you're rarely relying on it. It's a weaker fit if regular long-distance driving on public fast chargers is a big part of how you'll use the car.

Geely EX2 Inspire Pros and Cons

Pros

• Genuinely spacious interior for the car's footprint
• Comfortable, European-influenced suspension tuning vs Chinese-spec setup of most competitors (Ora 5 is Australian tuned)
• Efficient at highway speeds, often beating its own advertised figures
• Strong warranty cover, 7 years unlimited km on the vehicle, 8 years unlimited km on the battery
• Competitive drive-away pricing in Victoria

• Slower DC charging than several rivals at this price point
• Interior door trims feel like a clear cost-cutting point
• Shorter range than some competitors now pushing past 400km
• Not yet ANCAP tested

For city-based commuting, and the occasional longer drive to somewhere like Ballarat, or further afield to Sydney, the EX2 Inspire is a capable option. You do trade off charging speed for the price, and a longer trip will mean a slightly slower journey than some rivals thanks to those longer charging stops, but for the money, the space, the ride quality and the general fit and finish are hard to argue with. It's not trying to be a luxury EV, and it doesn't need to be one to make a strong case for itself in this segment.

For how the EX2 stacks up against other options in this price range, see our guides to the longest-range EVs under $35,000, fastest charging EVs under $35,000, and the cheapest EVs under $35,000 in Melbourne.

Want to enquire on the Geely EX2 Complete or Inspire models and get a great deal? Enquire below, and one of our friendly Geely team members will be in touch.