First impressions: Geely EX2

In the shadow of this year’s huge motor shows, namely Manila International Auto Show and the recently concluded Philippine International Motor Show, it is plain to see that the local scene is ramping up in terms of fully electric vehicles (EV). 

A significant example of the aforementioned is Geely Motor Philippines’ launching of the EX2 - an all-new five-seater subcompact hatchback and the second EV in the said brand’s lineup apart from the much larger EX5. 

Notably, the subcompact EV segment in the Philippines is getting tighter and tighter every month, with a multitude of reasonably priced cars on offer. So, does the Geely EX2 have something that makes it stand out? Let’s find out here via Zigwheels Philippines’ first drive review. 

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Powertrain

For its powertrain, the Geely EX2 uses a single permanent magnet synchronous motor to drive its rear wheels. At maximum, this can generate up to 113 horsepower (hp) and 150 Newton-meters of torque. 

Figures-wise, it is not quite a “hot hatch,” but its instant torque, coupled with its relatively light curb weight of 1,300 kilograms and rear-wheel-drive layout, is hard to ignore. With these qualities, the EX2 will be quick on its feet on corners. It also helps that the car wears a set of Ling Long Comfort Master tires, ensuring on-road stability and traction. 

On a more practical note, the model has a range of 395 kilometers (km), according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Moreover, keeping the car powered up is relatively easy via its direct current (DC) port, which can increase its state of charge from 30-80 percent in just 25 minutes. 

On the one hand, we didn’t get to try out the car in actual in-city driving, so let’s wait for the full review to cover those points. 

Exterior

In terms of appearance, the Geely EX2 comes with a cutesy, soft-cornered look that is somewhat similar to many other similarly sized EVs on the market right now. The writer feels that it isn’t exactly a mainstream design direction, but this Geely’s soft proportions and mostly smooth silhouette will definitely have some takers. 

Its array of exterior equipment, however, is as complete as it gets. It has full LED lighting fixtures, automatic headlamp functionality with automatic on/off, semi-concealed door handles, heated side mirrors with power adjustability and folding, and an attractive two-tone paint setup for the top-spec Max variant. 

Completing the look of the Geely EX2 is a set of 16-inch clover-leaf-patterned wheels, providing it with a rather unique design that doubles as eye candy and may even contribute to the car’s aerodynamic profile. 

Moreover, the car comes with a 70-liter front trunk. Notably, this is one of the largest front trunks among locally available EV models, offering ample usable space and practicality. Use case examples for this compartment include organics, such as food items bought from the wet market, a cooler for beverages, or tools (or gadgets) you do not want rolling around in the car’s larger main trunk. 

For reference, the car is 4,135 millimeters (mm) long, 1,805 mm wide, and 1,580 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,650 mm and a generous ground clearance of 160 mm. 

With those figures, the car is easy to park and handle, even for beginner drivers. The amount of ground clearance it has is likewise a strong point, considering the kind of road conditions we get in the local setting. 

Interior

Step inside the all-new Geely EX2 and you get a decently spacious five-seater layout with enough room for the front and back for the writer’s girthy five-foot-eleven-inch frame. Fitting in the driver’s seat, in particular, posed no issues as the car’s top-spec trim does get a power-adjustable seat for the said seat. 

Other notably nice driver-centric amenities of the EX2 that we’ve found include:

• Microfiber-wrapped steering wheel
• Electronic parking brake
• Front central armrest
• Keyless entry and start

Likewise notable is the EX2’s well-arranged dashboard, which even a total newbie could understand with a single glance. Unfortunately, we do have something to gripe about: specifically, the scratchy and easily marred piano-black plastic trim surrounding the shifter, as well as the lack of physical air-conditioning controls. 

It has plenty of toys for its passengers as well. Keeping everyone inside cool is an automatic climate control system with rear vents, while dreary days are livened by ambient lighting. 

For screens, the model comes with a 14.8-inch infotainment system and an 8.8-inch digital gauge. Both come with colorful graphics and highly legible user interfaces, and are very responsive to user input. Connecting phones to the car is likewise easy via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while charging is provided by a wireless pad and USB ports. 

We would also like to commend the car’s six-piece (Max variant) speaker system, which sounds great, considering the car’s accessible price tag. 

Safety

Obviously, the test drive event for the Geely EX2 kept it at reasonable speeds on in-city roads. As such, we didn’t get to use a majority of its safety gear. 

Would-be adopters of the vehicle, however, will be pleased to know that the Chinese marque didn’t skimp on high-tech crash prevention technologies. For its suite of advanced driver assist systems, the EX2 comes with the following: 

• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Forward collision warning
• Intelligent high beams
• 360-degree view camera

These ADAS features are supported by anti-lock braking, traction control, hill-start assist, stability control, hill-start assist, hill-hold control, a total of six airbags, tire pressure monitoring, rear parking radars, and a low-speed chime to alert vulnerable road users. 

Final thoughts

So, how are our first impressions of the Geely EX2? Well, it is a well-rounded car that looks like it will be a great fit for a daily driver. Its tiny size makes it well-suited to in-city driving conditions, and its abundance of safety features means it has got your back as well. 

Further, its price, which ranges from P938,000-P1.038 million makes it highly accessible for those who are new to EVs. It won’t break the bank, but at the end of the day, most will find that they are getting plenty of car for the price. 

Also read:

Geely’s Preface TCR victorious at Kumho FIA TCR World Tour debut

Geely PH could showcase EX2 at MIAS 2026

Geely PH launches all-new EX5 EM-i in 8 pictures

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