2025 Geely EX5 vs BYD Atto 3: Electric Crossover Head to Head
We compare the newly launched Geely EX5 against its closest rival, the BYD Atto 3
If there’s one segment of the EV market that will prove popular with buyers, it has to be the crossover segment.
Much like the subcompact and compact crossovers, the EV crossover segment is quickly gaining ground due to the fact that buyers continue to prefer high-riding vehicles that are practical, spacious, and filled to the brim with features.
Enter the EX5, Geely’s newest and perhaps most high-tech compact crossover EV in the Philippine market. With countless features & amenities, a sleek and stylish body wrapped in a high-tech EV architecture, and an all-electric powertrain that can go the distance and deliver impressive acceleration, Geely Motor Philippines Corporation is out to prove that it can lead the way again.
Let's see how it compares against its closest rival: the BYD Atto 3.
To find out just how better the Geely EX5 is, we decided to do a spec check between it and BYD’s most popular electric crossover to date. Which of the two will reign supreme in this comparo?
More Power, More Range
Let’s get down to brass tacks. EV buyers today want something that can go the distance, deliver instantaneous acceleration, and can recharge as quickly as possible. The Geely EX5 excels in that department impressively as it comes with a single electric motor that doles out 217 PS and 320 Nm of torque.
From a standstill, Geely says the EX5 can go from 0 - 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, which gives it sports car-like acceleration. As for the Atto 3, the BYD’s electric motor only puts out 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque. In addition, it’s slower from 0 - 100 km/h as it can only do it in 7.3 seconds.
When it comes to going the distance, the BYD Atto 3 is capable of achieving up to 420 km of range based on the WLTP cycle (480 km on NEDC) with its 60.48 kWh battery pack. Not bad, but the Geely EX5 can do better despite having a smaller 60.22 kWh battery pack. On a full charge, the automaker claims the EX5 can travel up to 425 km based on the WLTP cycle (490 km on NEDC).
While it may not be much of a difference, every kilometer matters to EVs, especially when you need to cover longer distances and the nearest charging station is still several kilometers away. That 5 km to 10 km range advantage by the Geely EX5 could be the difference between making it to the nearest charging station or having to call for help in case the battery runs dry.
Fast Recharge
Nobody likes to wait for their devices to finish charging. The same thing goes when it comes to recharging EVs, which can take some time to finish. Fortunately, the Geely EX5 is capable of recharging relatively fast compared to other EVs on the market.
Geely says the EX5 supports both AC and DC fast-charging. In the former, the EX5 can be recharged from 10% to 100% in just 6.1 hours because the EX5 can accommodate an AC charger up to 11 kWh. Meanwhile, a fast DC charger can quickly replenish the EX5 from 30% to 80% in only 20 minutes.
As for the BYD Atto 3, this one can take a little longer since it takes around 8 to 8.5 hours to recharge the battery from 0% to 100% when hooked up to an AC charging station. Why significantly longer? It's because the Atto 3's AC charging unit can do up to 7 kWh. Meanwhile, a DC charging system can recharge the Atto 3 from 30% to 80% in 30 minutes.
For those looking to get a fully electric crossover that can recharge as fast as possible, the Geely EX5 is capable of recharging quickly in both AC and DC charging stations. That means fewer downtimes when you’re on the go; that's very useful on a long road trip.
Measuring Up
As the saying goes, size matters. On that, the Geely EX5 delivers in spades. BYD did do well with the integration of the battery into the structure of the vehicle, but Geely has taken it further. Thanks to the new Cell-To-Body (CTB) Integrated Body Structure, Geely’s compact EV is larger than its closest competitor. More importantly, the CTB structure allows for safer and more compact packaging without having to compromise cabin space.
Size-wise, the EX5 measures 4615mm long, 1901mm wide, 1670mm tall, and has a 2750mm wheelbase. With the BYD Atto 3 only measuring 4455mm x 1875mm x 1615mm, the EX5 is longer by 160mm, is wider by 26mm, and is taller by 55mm. The Atto 3’s wheelbase only comes up to 2730mm, which is 20mm shorter than the Geely EX5. It may not look like much, but when it comes to cabin and cargo space, every extra mm of wheelbase matters.
The result is a more spacious vehicle overall. With all seats occupied, the Atto 3 can muster a respectable 440 liters of cargo space, expandable up to 1340 liters. The EX5, on the other hand, starts at 461 liters and expands up to 1877 liters. Yes, size is always a factor.
Bountiful Amenities
Having a high-tech EV also means getting a cutting-edge cabin that’s brimming with countless features and amenities. The Geely EX5 is no different, as the automaker made sure the electric crossover comes with plenty.
The Atto 3 has a larger 15.6" rotating touchscreen, 8 premium speakers, and a long list of ADAS features. Geely decided to level up the experience by creating the Flyme Auto Intelligent Cabin. It’s comprised of a 10.3-inch multi-info display, a wide 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a wide array of intelligent driver aids that are part of its Level 2 (L2) advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which we’ll get to later.
Not only is the multi-info display bigger than the Atto 3’s 5-inch driver display, but it can display points of interest, navigational guides, and additional info about the vehicle and the current drive system. It also has a high-definition heads-up display (HUD) to help drivers maintain their focus on the road. Audiophiles will also be happy to know the EX5 comes with the brand’s Flyme 16-speaker premium sound system, which is a treat for the senses.
Occupants can also relax inside the EX5 thanks to the VIP seat package. The Atto 3 does have exceptional seating with power adjustment, but the Geely EX5 comes with a massage function for both driver and front passenger for a more comfortable riding experience. The front passenger can even raise the legrest for a more relaxed cruise. And being a larger vehicle (at the same price), the Geely has the edge on rear seat legroom.
Pound-for-pound, the Geely EX5 is a technological powerhouse that knows what to prioritize when it comes to keeping occupants relaxed and entertained. Combined with other features such as dual-zone climate control, a wireless charging pad, smartphone connectivity, and intelligent voice control that can recognize 10 languages, the Geely EX5 has the edge over the BYD Atto 3.
The only aspect where the BYD has the clear edge is when it comes to connectivity, as the BYD Atto 3 does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The EX5 doesn't come with Android Auto; instead, it has mirroring. Apple CarPlay will come for the EX5, but will be installed at a later date.
Intelligent Safety
In this day & age, where vehicle and passenger safety are a must, the Geely EX5 excels in this particular segment as well. Yes, the BYD Atto 3 comes with plenty of intelligent driver aids like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, lane-change assist, and blind-spot detection, but the Geely EX5 also comes with the same features and more.
Aside from the aforementioned driver aids, the Geely EX5 also comes with additional ADAS features for extra peace of mind. It gets emergency lane-keeping assist, collision mitigation support for both front & rear situations, rear-cross traffic alert, rear-cross traffic brake, and door open warning.
As vehicles continue to be packed with more features, having smart driving aids is equally important to give both the driver and passengers safe from harm in any situation. Thanks to Geely’s attention to detail when it comes to ADAS, the EX5 is a bona fide vehicle that’s safe not just for the occupants but also for other vehicles on the road.
With prices starting at PHP 1.799 million, the Geely EX5 is jam-packed with intelligent features and comes with one heck of an electric powertrain. It can go the distance on a full charge and can quickly be recharged compared to its closest rival. It’s a tad more premium compared to the BYD Atto 3, but pound-for-pound and price-for-price, the Geely EX5 comes with more and then some.
