Is the Geely EX2 a Good Car for New Drivers?

Passing your driving test is a big moment, and choosing your first car comes a close second. Whether you have just passed or you are helping a son, daughter or grandchild pick their first set of wheels, the question is usually the same: what is the best car for a new driver? 

The honest answer is a car that is easy to drive, safe, simple to park and not intimidating on busy roads. More and more people are now looking at electric cars for new drivers, and the Geely EX2 is one of the newest names in that conversation. In this blog, we look at how the compact Geely EX2 measures up as a first car for young drivers, what it offers, and where it might not be the perfect fit.

What Makes a Good First Car? 

When people search for the best first cars, a few things come up again and again. A great car for new drivers should be: 

• Easy to control, with light steering and predictable handling 

• Compact enough for tight streets, car parks and driveways 

• Fitted with modern safety technology to help while experience builds 

• Comfortable and practical enough for college, work and weekends away 

• Simple to live with day to day 

Many of the cars traditionally recommended to new drivers are small petrol hatchbacks with manual gearboxes. That is changing. Learning to drive in an automatic car is increasingly common, and electric cars take that ease a step further. 

Why an Automatic Car Suits a New Driver 

If you are looking for an automatic car for a new driver, an electric car is about as simple as it gets. There is no clutch pedal, no gears to select and no risk of stalling at a busy junction or on a hill start. You select drive, press the accelerator and go. 

That frees up a lot of mental space. New drivers often feel overloaded in the first few months, juggling mirrors, signals, road signs, other traffic and the controls of the car itself. With the Geely EX2, the driving controls are kept to a minimum, so more of your attention can go on the road. 

Electric power delivery is also smooth and quiet. There is no engine noise building and falling as you move through the gears, which many new drivers find calming, particularly in stop-start traffic around Bristol. 

Small Cars for New Drivers: Size, Visibility and Parking 

Size matters when you are learning. The Geely EX2 is a compact electric hatchback, designed with city streets and everyday journeys in mind. Its tight turning radius makes U turns, car park manoeuvres and narrow country lanes far less stressful than they can be in a larger car. 

Parking is one of the things new drivers worry about most, and the EX2 helps here too. A reversing camera is fitted as standard on the Pro trim, and the compact shape means you are less likely to misjudge the corners when pulling into a tight space at a supermarket or on a residential street. 

Despite its small footprint, the EX2 is a proper five seat car. It offers a 375 litre boot with the rear seats up, increasing to 1,320 litres with the seats folded, so there is room for a weekly shop, sports kit, a suitcase or a student's belongings heading to university. 

Safety Technology That Helps Build Confidence 

Safety is often the number one priority for parents, and it should be for new drivers too. The Geely EX2 comes with seven airbags and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including: 

• Adaptive Cruise Control, which keeps a safe distance from the vehicle ahead 

• Automatic Emergency Braking, which can apply the brakes if a collision risk is detected 

• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist, which help you stay in your lane 

• Blind Spot Detection, which warns you of vehicles you might not have seen 

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert, useful when reversing out of parking spaces 

• A Driver Monitoring System, designed to help keep attention on the road 

The EX2 is also built on a reinforced body structure, and its liquid cooled lithium iron phosphate battery is protected by a high strength steel under shield and monitored by 18 temperature sensors. The EX2 has been awarded a five star Euro NCAP safety rating. 

As with any car fitted with modern assistance systems, it can take a little time to get used to the alerts and how the car responds. A short test drive is the best way to find out how they feel to you. 

A Gentle, Predictable Drive 

Nobody needs a powerful car as their first car, and the Geely EX2 is not trying to be one. It uses rear wheel drive and a single speed electric motor, and the Pro takes 14.2 seconds to reach 62mph, while the Max and Ultra, with their larger motor, take 11.5 seconds. 

For a new driver, that is a good thing. Smooth, progressive acceleration means there is less temptation to push too hard before experience has built up, and the car feels relaxed rather than twitchy. Electric cars also have instant response at low speeds, which makes pulling away at junctions and roundabouts feel effortless. 

Range and Charging: Will It Fit a New Driver's Life? 

Range is one of the big questions with any electric car. The Geely EX2 is available with two battery options: 

• A 35kWh battery on the Pro, with up to 155 miles of WLTP range 

• A 47kWh battery on the Max and Ultra, with up to 214 miles of WLTP range 

For most new drivers, that is plenty. A typical week of college or work journeys, trips to see friends and the occasional longer drive around North Somerset and Bristol is well within what the EX2 can handle, particularly with the larger battery. 

Charging is straightforward too. All versions come with a 6.6kW onboard AC charger for home charging, and DC rapid charging is supported at up to 60kW on the Pro and up to 80kW on the Max and Ultra when you are out and about. 

The main thing to think about is where you will charge. If you have a driveway or a home charge point, an electric car fits very naturally into daily life, because you simply plug in when you get home. If you rely on on street parking, it is worth planning how and where you would charge before you decide. 

Technology Without the Overwhelm 

Young drivers tend to love technology, and the EX2 delivers a modern cabin without being overcomplicated. A large 14.6 inch multimedia display sits at the centre of the dashboard, with remote connectivity functions and a straightforward digital experience designed to make everyday driving easier. 

Some drivers find large touchscreens take a little getting used to, so it is worth spending time with the system on a test drive. Set up your most used controls before you drive off, and you will soon find your own rhythm. 

So, Is the Geely EX2 the Best Car for a New Driver? 

There is no single best car for every new driver, but the Geely EX2 ticks a lot of the boxes people are looking for in a first car: 

• Automatic driving with no clutch or gears to worry about 

• Compact size, a tight turning radius and a reversing camera 

• Seven airbags and a full suite of driver assistance technology 

• A quiet, smooth drive that is easy to get used to 

• Enough range for most daily journeys 

• Space for passengers and luggage that goes well beyond what you would expect from a small car 

It may be less suited to someone who regularly covers very long motorway distances or who has no way of charging at home or nearby. Being honest about your own driving habits is the best way to decide whether an electric first car is the right choice. 

Try the Geely EX2 at Holders of Congresbury 

The best way to know whether a car suits you is to drive it. At Holders of Congresbury, we are proud to offer the Geely EX2 to drivers in Congresbury, Bristol, Weston super Mare and the surrounding North Somerset area. Whether you are a new driver yourself or a parent helping with the decision, our friendly team is on hand to answer your questions, talk you through the Pro, Max and Ultra trims and arrange a test drive with no pressure. 

Get in touch with the team today, or pop into our Congresbury showroom to see the EX2 for yourself and find out whether it could be the right first car for you. 

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