Is there a threat to the BYD Dolphin Surf? Starting at 13,090 € and with a range of up to 497 km: we test its main rival, the Geely E2.

Geely's arrival in Spain has been nothing short of overwhelming. This is evident, for example, from the sales of its plug-in hybrid SUV with a range of 1,000 km, priced at 25,125 euros — which we have tested — and which has already joined BYD and Toyota as one of the best-selling PHEV SUVs in our country.

BYD and Geely have established themselves as the most significant Chinese brands, even engaging in price wars back in their home countries. Geely's latest release, the EV2, an urban electric vehicle measuring 4.13 meters with a range of up to 497 km in urban conditions and 345 km on mixed routes, further underscores this fierce competition. Not surprisingly, with a price starting at just 13,090 euros — including all subsidies — Geely does not hesitate to cite the BYD Dolphin Surf — read our review — as one of its main rivals.

The Geely E2, the rival threatening the BYD Dolphin Surf

It’s purely a matter of numbers. Aside from its price starting at 13,090 euros, the Geely E2 competes directly with the BYD Dolphin Surf. While Volvo’s new city car measures 4.13 meters in length and offers a certain wheelbase, BYD’s city car—its best-selling model in Spain after its PHEV SUV, the BYD Seal U—is slightly smaller, reaching 3.99 meters in length with a 2.5-meter wheelbase.

The BYD is the best-selling electric city car in Spain and the third-best selling EV so far this year, only behind the Tesla Model 3 and Y. This success is largely due to its comprehensive range featuring two motors and two batteries: one with 65 kW / 88 HP offering up to 507 km of range in urban driving (322 km on mixed routes), and another motor with 115 kW / 156 HP providing 310 km of range on mixed routes and 460 km in urban driving.

The Geely EV, which was the best-selling electric car in China in 2025, offers a similar range in Spain. The base version—costing 13,090 euros with all subsidies—comes equipped with a 60 kW / 80 HP engine paired with a 35 kWh battery, providing 252 km of range in mixed conditions and up to 368 km in urban driving. Its more powerful version, though still very efficient, features another engine with 80 kW / 115 HP output. Its range is 345 km in mixed conditions and up to the aforementioned 497 km in urban areas—typical for cars like this Geely model.

It should be noted that both batteries, of the LFP type, offer a fast charging capacity of 60 and 80 kW, allowing them to reach 30% to 80% charge in just 25 minutes. More disappointing is the AC and home charging capacity, where this Geely E2 only reaches 6.6 kW. In terms of time, the battery with lower charging capacity takes 5.3 hours to go from 25% to 100%, while the larger battery takes 7.1 hours.

As for performance, the Geely E2, with either of its two powertrains, remains very capable, as both achieve a top speed of 130 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.2 seconds and 11.5 seconds respectively.

The similarities continue... but what sets this new Geely E2 apart from the BYD is its design. While the BYD stands out for its straight-line features, the Geely E2 features soft contours that carry over to the interior as well.

The main rival to the BYD Dolphin, spacious enough for four passengers with a decent trunk space.

As mentioned, the interior of the Geely E2—keep in mind it starts at just 13,090 euros with all subsidies and, of course, financing available—features smooth lines and good ergonomics. However, like almost all Chinese cars, it lacks physical buttons almost entirely.

The interior of this Geely E2 is made entirely of hard yet textured plastics—of better quality than those in affordable models from generic brands—combined with synthetic leather finishes and aluminum-like coatings, giving it a stylish appearance and durability thanks to its well-thought-out design.

It features an 8.8” screen serving as a digital dashboard, along with a central 14.6” screen through which almost all vehicle functions can be controlled, including selecting driving modes—Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Snow—or managing energy usage—finding the average consumption, which isn’t displayed on the dashboard, is somewhat tricky.

This screen offers good contrast and visibility, but as we’ve mentioned before, navigating menus reduces safety since it distracts the driver from the road for a period of time. Additionally, we should note that features like driving mode selection can be added to the screen’s quick access options.

In terms of space and comfort, the front seats can accommodate two people up to 1.90 meters tall — though be aware that if the passenger is that tall and their seat height cannot be adjusted even in the top-of-the-line MAX+- version, their head will hit the ceiling. The width is adequate, and the raised center console includes a USB A port and a USB C port in its lower section, along with a compartment for storing items.

At the top, in the version with an upper trim, there is a wireless charger for the phone, and lower down, there is a compartment for keys or small items along with two cup holders. Finally, there is a small compartment under the armrest that lacks cooling and USB ports, with a cover that does not slide longitudinally.

The rear seats suffer from a common issue with electric vehicles: the distance between the seat and the completely flat floor increases the available headroom. In this car, people up to 1.85 meters tall can sit comfortably—if they sit very upright. At 1.88 meters, their heads will touch the backmost part of the roof, which has a slight slope. On the other hand, this seat height causes taller passengers to bend their knees more than usual. The seats are firm and comfortable—and in our test unit, the front seats had practical pockets on their backs for belongings—but the middle seat is narrow and suitable only for a child.

The central console, at least in the MAX+ version, featured two adjustable air vents, a USB Type A port, and a small slot for placing your phone while it charges.

Now let’s talk about the trunk. There are two compartments: a main trunk area at the back with 375 L of space, and a practical frunk area beneath the front hood with an additional 70 L, ideal for storing cables or other items and clothing.

The main trunk has a capacity of 375 L, which can be expanded to 1,320 L when the rear seats are folded down. It offers a good loading height and regular shapes, with separate side compartments behind the wheel arches. It’s spacious and capable, but we feel it lacks some practicality.

To explain further, it has two side hooks for hanging loads, but we miss a lighting fixture, nets to make use of those side compartments, and most importantly, rings to secure the load. A double-bottom floor is also lacking, as the distance from the loading threshold to the floor exceeds 15 cm in height, meaning that when loading heavy items, they will have to be dropped down.

Up to 497 km of range and three trims: PRO, PRO+ MAX+

As mentioned earlier, the Geely E2 arrives in Spain with two engine options: one with an 80 CV engine offering up to 368 km of range in urban driving conditions; and another with a 115 CV engine providing up to 497 km of range in city driving.

For these two engine options, Geely has developed a range of three trims available in Spain. The first trim, PRO, is assigned to the less powerful engine version but already comes standard with features such as the 8.8-inch and 14.6-inch screens, automatic climate control, wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and start, and electrically adjustable front seats.

The second trim, PRO+, offers the same equipment as the PRO trim but is designated for this version with the more powerful engine and greater range.

Lastly, the third option, MAX+, adds to the PRO/PRO+ features items such as an electrically operated rear door, rain sensor, heated steering wheel and front seats, ambient lighting with up to 256 colors, a wireless charger for your phone, a 540º camera, 16” alloy wheels, or the option to choose a white interior tone.

In action: a comfortable and simple car

Híbridosyeléctricos had the chance to test a Geely EV2 MAX+, which boasts 497 km of urban range and 345 km in mixed conditions—around Madrid. In operation, this rival to the BYD Dolphin Surf makes a pleasant impression.

It’s a low-slung car that appears to be quite well insulated—although we had very little chance to test it on highways—and is designed with the comfort of its passengers in mind. In this regard, it features a suspension aimed at comfort along with slightly firmer shock absorption to control body movement, which it does effectively.

Initially, and always considering its comfortable orientation, it also turns out to be an agile car. This is aided by a 50/50 weight distribution across each axle and its rear-wheel drive setup. Additionally, it has a relatively low weight, at 1,290 kg for the PRO version and 1,365 kg for the more powerful models.

Perhaps the aspect of this car we liked the least is its steering. It feels rather heavy, with a steering resistance that can be adjusted in three levels via the center screen, showing noticeable slack when making turns. This issue is at least mitigated in its Sport mode, which we find most suitable for road use.

Of course, the power delivery is also adjustable. In Eco driving mode, it’s quite limited (making it suitable only for urban areas or bypass roads if driven very slowly), while the power output increases gradually in Normal mode and even more so in Sport mode; we can switch between these modes to achieve a more or less dynamic driving experience. Keep in mind that this car only offers 115 horsepower, enough for commuting but far below the figures of other electric vehicles.

The last configurable setting on the central screen relates to braking… in two aspects. On one hand, the brake response can be adjusted for two modes: Comfort and Sport. We liked it in both modes, as the common feature is a quick response when pressing the pedal, without any delay, along with a fairly gentle and progressive braking force. This force becomes more intense in Sport mode, which is slightly more assertive and may offer greater safety for the driver when on the road.

On the other hand, the regenerative braking is also adjustable and can be programmed in four modes: Automatic, Low, Medium, and High. In all of them, there is no actual stopping of the vehicle that would disturb passengers, but rather a greater or lesser resistance to movement that is quite pleasant. The Automatic mode is very unobtrusive and suitable for any driver. Meanwhile, in the Low, Medium, and High modes, the resistance increases from practically none in the first to a noticeable but never excessive level in the High mode.

Regarding their impact on the vehicle’s overall fuel consumption, it is noticeable. First of all, it should be noted that this Geely E2 has an energy consumption rating of 15.5 kWh/100 km for the version with a range of up to 497 km, and interestingly, 15.9 kWh/100 km for the less powerful version—both come standard with 205/60/R16 tires, which are excessive for the 80 HP PRO trim.

During our test, although it was always within the areas around Madrid and at speeds that never exceeded 100 km/h, this consumption was significantly reduced, averaging 12.1 kWh/100 km.

That said, we must note that unlike other tests where we aim for as normal a driving style as possible, in this one we used the high regenerative braking mode for approximately half of the journey—primarily during urban driving. Nevertheless, we are confident that by driving calmly—something this car encourages given its setup and power—and without overusing the regenerative braking modes, it is entirely feasible to achieve the approved fuel consumption figures.

Its price—does it really cost only 13,090 euros?

The answer is yes, but with important nuances. That price of 13,090 euros is, of course, for the 80 CV version with the basic trim level—which, note, we find more than sufficient for urban and suburban use—and it includes all the benefits from the Auto+ Plan, commercial discounts, and Geely’s financing discounts. The price rises to 13,990 euros, but then you must subtract the 900 euros in CAES fees, which are handled by the dealership rather than Geely directly.

That price is also an introductory offer that lasts only until the end of September. But be aware that these favorable terms and discounts aren’t limited to just the most basic version of this competitor to the BYD Dolphin Surf.

And since the version with up to 497 km of range and higher power starts at around 15,585 euros—given its ability to travel on roads with greater safety and range—we believe it is the most cost-effective option in the range.

Prices with subsidies, discounts, and CAES for the Geely E2 range

Geely E2 80 CV PRO: 13,090 euros.

Geely E2 115 CV PRO+: 15,585 euros.

Geely E2 115 CV MAX+: 17,585 euros.