Geely EX2 inspire electric hatchback

Billed as the world biggest selling small car the Geely EX2 electric hatchback was a model I wanted to test to see if it deserved such a title. Arriving here in late July this interesting small car achieved 1,279 sales in August in its first full month on sale.

This is the third model to be launched on the Australian market by Geely, joining the mid-size EX5 SUV and the larger Geely Starray EM-i models. The small EX2 five-door hatch was launched with much fanfare in two models, the Complete from just $26,490 and the better-equipped Inspire from $30,990 plus on-road costs. To sweeten the deal on this newcomer Geely offered a complimentary 7kW home charger for the month of August, a premium paint upgrade and a highly competitive finance package.

The EX2 Complete features a rear mounted electric motor producing 60KW of power and 150Nm of torque with a 35.3kWhour battery providing a (WLTP) range of 252Km. The Inspire model i tested features an 85kW/150Nm rear electric motor with a larger capacity 47.1kWhour battery pack, lifting the driving range to 345km, also under the WLTP formula. What does WLTP stand for you ask? The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure which is a standardised laboratory dynamometer test far removed from real world driving conditio

Visually, the Geely EX2 has a rather cute appearance which really caught the attention of my wife, a small car with a real personality, further emphasized by a range of appealing colours.  The Inspire model tips the scales at a fairly light 1365kgs, sitting on what Geely call Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture, the same modular structure as featured on its large siblings which optimizes usable space and delivers a range of benefits for the occupants.

Most noticeable of these is wider door apertures for ease of entry and exit, air-con packaging that increase front passenger legroom, an improved frunk space of 70 litres, the equal of many larger SUVs, while the compact rear drive unit enables a longer rear overhang resulting in more boot depth and length, although its still rather tight – total capacity rated at 375L and with the spilt rear seats folded rising to 1,320L. The integrated seat frame design also allows for a generous amount of under-seat storage.

One feature that’s impresses for the money is the inclusion of a multi-link rear suspension with McPherson struts up front, the rear drive arrangement and rear suspension package providing better driving control and comfort over many small cars with less sophisticated torsion beam suspension. And for what is fundamentally a city car this package provides a small car with a very nimble about town capability. And here Geely point out the fact that the EX2’s rear drive layout enables longer steering rack travel and a tight 9.9 metre turning circle.

Features on the EX2 Inspire firmly stamp it as a value buy and include 16-inch alloy wheels shod with 205 x 60-series Yokohama tyres but as usual there is no spare wheel, simply the dreaded repair kit which shouldn’t be a worry as range dictates this as primarily a city car.

Other value features for a small hatch include a power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, a wireless phone charger, six-speed sound, LED headlights, daytime running lights, four drive modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport and Snow, power front seats, a multi-function steering wheel, rear parking sensors, a 14.6-inch central multimedia touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital instrument touchscreen.

Just one colour Moon White with a black roof is standard on the Inspire with Star Silver, Comet Grey, Nebula Beige, Aurora Green and Nova Pink an option at $600 extra. Inside, Horizon Grey faux leather trim is standard with Skyline White a no-cost option.

Passive safety include no less than 7 airbags including a centre airbag between the front seats, a 360-degree surround view monitor and a full active safety suite that covers an astonishing 22 items and includes automatic emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control (ESC), emergency brake assist (EBA), anti-roll system (ARS), lane keep assist (LCA), blind spot detection (BSD), driver fatigue alert (DFA) and front and rear cross traffic alert, to name just a few. For a small car this level of active safety intervention is impressive to say the least.

Step inside the EX2 and your met by keyless access and start, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, one touch up and down electric windows, 256 colour dynamic ambient lighting and a six-way power driver’s seat. Comfort elements also include automatic climate control, rear air-conditioning vents, 2 x type A USB ports plus a type C port, Satellite navigation and Geely Connected Services that include voice assistant, live traffic for satellite navigation, over-the-air updates, a tyre pressure monitor, on-line media streaming and remote vehicle functions such as vehicle charging, door and window control and vehicle status monitoring. Space is tight in the rear in terms of knee room with restrictions in head room for the taller passenger.

As we’ve come to expect from many Chinese vehicles the central 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen has no physical buttons and knobs and is tedious to use. Frankly, I find it amazing today that to gain a five-star ANCAP safety rating cars are required to have a multitude of bells and chimes that tell you a variety of things you are doing that is not good driving yet for the most part you have a central touch screen that is so dangerous to use on the run. For climate control a knob and a knob for radio selection and volume is so easy to use and doesn’t require you to take your eyes off the road.

Having said that, at least the warning chimes and beeps on this car are not intrusive and the active elements like lane keep assist are subtle for the most part and not annoying.

From a driving point of view the ride and handling for a small car is quite accomplished and developed by Geely Technology Europe which was formerly the Lotus Tech Innovation Centre. The EX2 is nicely set up with a well weighted steering and with the added benefit of its underfloor battery weight has a low centre of gravity and handles with great stability in corners. A great about town car, nimble for weaving in and out of tight traffic and parking locations aided by its small turning circle.

Drive is taken to the rear wheels via single speed transmission and whilst it offers four drive modes including Snow, Eco, Comfort and Sport it’s not particularly quick off the market. Braking on the other hand is impressive from ventilated front discs and solid rears.

Disappointments are few but range and charging are its Achilles heel – Geely quote energy consumption on the EX2 Inspire at 15.5kWhour/100km and I found that fairly accurate although the stated range of 345km was hard to achieve and more like 320Kms. This aspect along with the low 6kW charge rate meant a slow charge from say 10 percent to 90 percent will take the best part of 71/2 hours. The 6kW charge rate is slow by most small EV standards, and my 11kW three-phase home charger was of little use in gaining a shorter charge time. The DC charge rate is also listed at relatively slow 80kW.

And herein lies somewhat of a frustration. It may have achieved 460,000 deliveries worldwide last year and become China’s best-selling model yet for the most part it achieved it in a very congested driving environment where its nimble driving elements were very well received. In our more open driving landscape its relatively low range and slow charging element are not so well suited. But in terms of sheer value the Geely EX2 in the Inspire grade at $30,000 plus on-road costs is hard to pass for an affordable highly equipped small five-door EV hatchback.

Warranty: 7-years/unlimited km, Battery warranty: 8-years/unlimited km.

Roadside assistance: Up to 7-years provided you service your vehicle with a Geely dealer

Service intervals: Every 12 months or 20,000km whichever comes first.

Service costs: $2,052 over 7 years/140,000km with individual service prices form $171 for a standard service p to $671 for the major 48 month/80,000 km. service. A pre-paid          service package is available for $1,642.