One on One: BYD Atto 1 vs Geely EX2

It’s hard to believe that only five years ago, a small electric vehicle could cost around $50,000. The influx of Chinese brands into the Australian market has driven down EV prices at an astonishing rate. 

As we noted in our Best Value Car Awards recently, the BYD Atto 1 Essential hatchback is now available for a touch over $25,000 – and was offered for as little as $19,990 drive away during a special promotion in September 2026. That’s less than half the price of a Nissan Leaf in 2021.

But while it has become the figurehead for affordable EV motoring, the Atto 1 can’t rest on its laurels. Plenty of other Chinese brands are coming to market with competing products. Among the most successful is Geely, which in the space of a year has gone from relative unknown to the Australian top 10 sellers list.

We drove top-spec models of the Geely EX2 and BYD Atto 1 back to back to see which offers the best value and which is the nicest to drive and live with. 

Price and equipment

Geely EX2 — 7/10

The Geely EX2 has two grades, Complete (from $26,490 plus on roads) and the Inspire ($30,990). The Complete makes do with 16-inch steel wheels but gets plenty of tech including power adjustable front seats, while the Inspire has a more powerful motor, alloy wheels, and creature comforts including heated seats and a wireless phone charger.

BYD Atto 1 — 7/10

The BYD Atto 1 range consists of the Essential for $23,990 and the Premium for $27,990 (before on-road costs). Both models are similarly equipped to their EX2 equivalents, although there are concessions to the $3000 cheaper price – the Essential misses out on electric seats and the Premium only has auto-up on the driver’s side window (the EX2 Inspire has it on both).

WINNER: Tie

Cabin space and comfort

Geely EX2 — 7/10

The Geely EX2 cabin is compact without feeling cramped and provides a natural driving position. Styling is ‘baked potato’; bland and cheap but inoffensive. There’s a good amount of rear leg room, although the top of the rear door aperture is quite low. The boot is tall if not overly long and the frunk provides a useable extra space.

BYD Atto 1 — 5/10

There’s not much in it when it comes to cabin space, with the Atto 1 providing a surprising amount of leg room and better interior presentation than the EX2. It loses out on storage space, though, with a smaller boot and no frunk. The Atto 1 only seats four, whereas the Geely EX2 is a five-seater. 

WINNER: Geely EX2

Performance and economy

Geely EX2 — 5/10

Like all EVs, the EX2 delivers a swell of torque at a touch of the throttle, but when you really put your foot down the Inspire’s very modest 85kW power figure (only 60kW in the Complete) becomes evident. The 47.1kW battery provides a 345km driving range (WLTP), which is slightly better than the Atto 1 Premium (310km).

BYD Atto 1 — 6/10

The BYD Atto 1 Premium has a 43kWh battery that delivers 115kW/220Nm and 310km of range – so it’s quicker but doesn’t go as far on a charge as the EX2 Inspire. (It’s the same story in the base models: 65kW/175Nm for the Atto 1 vs 60kW/150Nm in the Geely.) Front-wheel drive means torque steer if you really give it the beans.

WINNER: BYD Atto 1

Safety features

Geely EX2 — 7/10

The EX2 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to seven airbags, AEB, front and rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, driver fatigue alert, a reversing camera and plenty more. Its overspeed alert dings are annoying (if not as loud as some others), though, plus the forward collision warning and lane keeping assistance are far too sensitive.

BYD Atto 1 — 8/10

The Atto 1 has a five-star ANCAP rating courtesy of eight airbags and all the expected ADAS functions. The big difference between the Atto 1 and the EX2 is that the Atto 1’s safety equipment (while not flawless) goes about its business without relentless dinging or undue interference, leading to a more relaxed driving experience.

WINNER: BYD Atto 1

Ride and handling

Geely EX2 — 7/10

The suspension strikes a good balance between firmness and comfort, while rear-wheel drive and a low stance keep it flat and composed during cornering. The steering is a bit numb and indistinct, sullying an otherwise very good package, but it’s still a cut above most Chinese EVs.

BYD Atto 1 — 5/10

The Atto 1’s ride is nowhere near as well sorted as that in the EX2. Bumps sometimes shudder through the body even though it’s softly sprung and the suspension can be slow to recover at times. It also suffers from mushy steering, especially coming out of corners.

WINNER: Geely EX2 

VERDICT

Geely EX2

Total: 33/50

Even though it can’t match the Atto 1 for interior presentation or straight-line speed, the Geely makes up that shortfall with more creature comforts, more practicality and a better driving experience.

BYD Atto 1

Total: 31/50

On starting price, interior styling and outright performance, the BYD Atto 1 wins hands down. Factor in more practical considerations such as space and day-to-day driving characteristics, however, and that cheaper list price loses some lustre.

OVERALL WINNER: Geely EX2