Geely EX5 vs BYD Atto 3
Two of Australia's cheapest electric SUVs go head to head. Which budget EV is the smarter buy?
Data checked: specs 31 Aug 2026, price 19 Sep 2026
Comparison snapshot
Prices, scores and edges below update from our car data.
10kW more power, 1 more year of warranty
Written 23 May 2026. The snapshot, tables, scores and verdict on this page update from our car data; figures quoted in the text are as at that date.
Price
Both are front-drive electric SUVs aimed at first-time EV buyers on a budget. The Geely EX5 undercuts the BYD Atto 3 on entry price, though they share near-identical battery sizes.
| Variant | Range | RRP |
|---|---|---|
| Geely EX5 Complete | 430km | $41,990 |
| Geely EX5 Inspire | 410km | $41,990 |
| BYD Atto 3 Essential | 420km | $39,990 |
| BYD Atto 3 Premium | 420km | $39,990 |
Safety
The BYD Atto 3 has a confirmed five-star ANCAP rating, a strong point in its favour. At the time of writing the Geely EX5's ANCAP rating was still pending in our data, so confirm the current rating before you buy. Both come with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist systems.
Features
Both punch above their price on equipment, with big touchscreens, heated seats and wireless mirroring. The Atto 3's quirky, colourful cabin has been a talking point since launch, while the EX5 takes a cleaner, more conventional approach. Feature counts are close; this one comes down to taste.
Drivetrain
Mechanically these two are remarkably alike: roughly 60kWh batteries, front-wheel drive, around 150-160kW and 0-100km/h times in the 7-second region. The Geely claims a touch more range (430km vs 420km) and a hair more power, so it edges the on-paper performance, but in daily driving they feel very similar. Neither is quick; both are smooth, easy and quiet around town.
Space and comfort
The biggest practical difference is the boot. The Atto 3's 440 litres comfortably beats the EX5's 302 litres, which is small for an SUV. If you carry prams, luggage or gear, that gap matters. The Atto 3 also offers a 1,500kg towing rating where the EX5 is not rated to tow. Rear-seat space is good in both.
Cost to own
The Atto 3 has the clearer ownership story: a six-year vehicle warranty, an eight-year battery warranty and BYD's large, established dealer and service network, the biggest of any Chinese brand here. Geely is newer to its own-badge sales, so confirm warranty and servicing terms with the dealer. For both, resale is still forming, which is the usual budget-EV trade-off.
Going electric no longer means spending big. The Geely EX5 and BYD Atto 3 are two of the most affordable electric SUVs on sale, both from two of China's biggest car makers, and they are priced within a whisker of each other.
We have matched their value grades. You can also stack them on every spec in our tool, read the full Geely EX5 review, or browse the cheapest electric cars guide.
Key details
A tick marks the better figure only where both cars have one and the gap is meaningful (3% or more; a whole star or year).
| Detail | Geely EX5 | BYD Atto 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $41,990 RRP | Price coming soon |
| Drive-away estimate | Calculating... | No data |
| Body | SUV | SUV |
| Powertrain | Electric, Electric motor | Electric, Electric motor |
| Power / torque | 160kW / 320Nm | 150kW / 310Nm |
| Energy use | 16 kWh/100km | 16 kWh/100km |
| 0-100km/h | 6.9s | 7.3s |
| Boot | 302L seats up | 440L seats up |
| Towing (braked) | No data | 750kg |
| ANCAP | 5 stars (2025) | 5 stars (2022) |
| Warranty | 7yr | 6yr / 150,000 km |
At a glance
- Seats
- 5
- Boot
- 302L seats up
- Length x width x height
- 4,615 x 1,901 x 1,670mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,750mm
- Engine
- Electric motor
- Power
- 160kW
- Torque
- 320Nm
- Drive
- FWD
- Transmission
- No data
- Power-to-weight
- 81 kW/tonne
- Kerb weight
- 1,980kg
- Spare wheel
- No data
- Payload
- No data
- Towing braked / unbraked
- No data
- Turning circle
- 10.8m
- Seats
- 5
- Boot
- 440L seats up
- Length x width x height
- 4,455 x 1,875 x 1,615mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,720mm
- Engine
- Electric motor
- Power
- 150kW
- Torque
- 310Nm
- Drive
- FWD
- Transmission
- Auto
- Power-to-weight
- 86 kW/tonne
- Kerb weight
- 1,750kg
- Spare wheel
- None
- Payload
- 410kg
- Towing braked / unbraked
- 750kg / 750kg
- Turning circle
- 11m
CarSorted Score breakdown
The CarSorted Score is algorithmic: it is calculated from each car's data, not from a road test. How it works.
Safety
Energy Efficiency
Value
Practicality
Technology
Performance
Reliability
The verdict
Geely EX5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (69 vs 68)
The deciding gaps
- Value:Geely EX5 84, BYD Atto 3 69, Geely EX5 ahead by 15
- Reliability:Geely EX5 50, BYD Atto 3 64, BYD Atto 3 ahead by 14
- Energy Efficiency:Geely EX5 80, BYD Atto 3 70, Geely EX5 ahead by 10
Same scorer as the live comparison of these two exact cars.
Our take (written 23 May 2026)
The Geely EX5 is the cheaper, slightly longer-range pick and a strong newcomer. The BYD Atto 3 fights back with a much bigger boot, a proven five-star ANCAP rating, a clear six-year warranty, towing capability and BYD's far larger dealer and service network. For pure price the EX5 edges it; for all-round family practicality and peace of mind, the Atto 3 is the safer money.
Prices on this page move. Want the next verdict?
One short email when prices shift or a new comparison lands. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Questions buyers ask
Which is cheaper, the Geely EX5 or BYD Atto 3?
The Geely EX5 Complete is from $41,990 RRP; the BYD Atto 3 Premium is not priced on our records. The two prices are not on the same basis, so we do not set one against the other.
Which has more range?
Electric range (WLTP where published): the Geely EX5 at 475km, against 420km for the BYD Atto 3.
Which has the bigger boot?
Boot space with the seats up: the BYD Atto 3 at 440L, against 302L for the Geely EX5.
Which is the safer buy overall?
The Geely EX5 holds 5 stars (rated 2025), and the BYD Atto 3 holds 5 stars (rated 2022).
Which is cheaper to run, the Geely EX5 or the BYD Atto 3?
On the official combined cycle, the Geely EX5 uses 16 kWh/100km and the BYD Atto 3 uses 16 kWh/100km.
Which has the better warranty?
The Geely EX5 comes with a 7yr warranty; the BYD Atto 3 with a 6yr / 150,000 km warranty.
Which comes out ahead overall?
On the CarSorted Score the Geely EX5 comes out ahead (Geely EX5 69/100, BYD Atto 3 68/100), mainly on value, energy efficiency. The score is algorithmic; the editorial above says who each car suits.
Related
In the news
- 2027 Geely EX5 Update Detailed: Rear-Wheel Drive, 800V and 460kW Charging, Australian Timing Still Open
- VFACTS August 2026: EVs Outsell Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid for the First Time in Australian History
- VFACTS July 2026: Best July On Record, Toyota RAV4 Back On Top, and Half the Top 10 Now Built in China
- Mitsubishi ASX VR-e Confirmed for Australia Q4 2026: First Mitsubishi EV Since the i-MiEV, Four Grades, Foxtron-Built
How to read this page. Prices, specs, ANCAP ratings, warranty, scores and the computed verdict come from our records for the two variants shown, sourced from manufacturer Australian documents, and update when those records change. RRP excludes on-road costs. Drive-away figures are estimates for the state you have selected unless marked as advertised. The editorial text was written on 23 May 2026. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!