Geely EX2 vs BYD Atto 1: Australia's cheapest EVs go head to head

Key takeaways

• BYD Atto 1 is cheaper at $23,990 plus on-road costs
• Geely EX2 adds rear-wheel drive, more range and boot
• BYD Atto 1 seats four and charges at 11kW

Australia's cheapest EV race has a new entrant.

The 2026 Geely EX2 reaches showrooms from late July at $26,490 plus on-road costs, which puts it second on the price ladder behind the BYD Atto 1.

Both are small electric hatches from Chinese brands chasing the same buyer. Look past the price and they are built to answer completely different questions.

Geely EX2

2026 Geely EX2 vs BYD Atto 1 pricing

The two ranges interleave rather than line up. Geely's entry car sits $2,500 above the cheapest Atto 1, and BYD's top Atto 1 sits $1,500 above that again.

Specs and range compared

The case for the Geely EX2

Geely EX2

Both EX2 variants drive the rear wheels and run multi-link independent rear suspension. The Atto 1 uses a front-drive layout and a torsion beam, like almost everything else at this money. Australian EX2s also get a ride and handling tune developed with Geely Technology Europe, formerly the Lotus Tech Innovation Centre.

Geely wins on space and range at both ends of the ladder. The EX2 carries a 375L boot against the Atto 1's 308L, and adds a 70L frunk plus 28L of under-seat storage. Its 9.9m turning circle keeps it easy to place in traffic.

Early buyers get more, too. Order between 12 July and 31 August 2026 and Geely adds a 7kW home charger, free premium paint worth $600 and a 0.68% comparison rate over 36 months.

The case for the BYD Atto 1

BYD Atto 1

BYD charges faster where it counts. The Atto 1 accepts 11kW on AC against the Geely's 6kW, which fills the Essential from 0 to 100% at home in 3.5 hours. Both Atto 1 grades also offer vehicle-to-load, so the car can run power tools or a camp fridge.

The Premium is the sharp one. It answers the $26,490 EX2 Complete with 115kW, 220Nm, 310km of range and a 9.1 second sprint to 100km/h for $1,500 more.

Add a 5-star ANCAP rating and stock in dealerships today. The EX2 has neither.

The catch is seats. The Atto 1 has four, not five.

Geely and BYD have not built the same car

The four-seat layout is the line between these two, and it matters more than the $2,500 price gap. BYD has built a city car: four seats, a torsion beam and 11kW AC charging that refills it overnight without thinking about it.

Geely has built a small car with a chassis, and priced the hardware accordingly, but its 6kW AC limit means the 47.1kWh Inspire will need most of a night on a home wallbox.

Expect the Atto 1's missing fifth seat to protect more Geely volume than Geely's pricing does, because a family cross-shopping these two never gets to compare the spec sheets.

BYD Atto 1 bonnet

If the car is a second set of wheels for the commute, the Atto 1 has the answer, the safety rating and the stock. If it has to carry a family and a boot load, the EX2 is worth waiting three weeks for. Nobody has driven one on Australian roads yet, so that is the bet Geely is asking you to take.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, the Geely EX2 or the BYD Atto 1?

The BYD Atto 1 is cheaper, starting at $23,990 plus on-road costs against $26,490 for the Geely EX2. Both figures are recommended retail prices.

Which has more range, the Geely EX2 or the BYD Atto 1?

The Geely EX2 Inspire leads with 345km of WLTP range from a 47.1kWh battery. The best Atto 1 manages 310km, and the entry Atto 1 Essential offers 220km.

How many seats does the BYD Atto 1 have?

The BYD Atto 1 is a four-seater in both Essential and Premium grades, despite its five-door body.