The little E2 is a bestseller back home in China. Now Geely is trying its luck in Europe and other markets. On paper, this cut-price electric poses a threat to the likes of VW's ID.Polo. But anyone used to more quality will have to accept compromises. Thorsten Weigl/Geely/dpaChina's car manufacturers are giving Germany's a good run for their money, even on their home turf, and now Geely has set its sights on the lucrative mass market for cheaper electric cars.The company is exporting one of its most successful models and selling what is badged in China as the Geely Xingyuan as the E2.With prices starting in Europe at €19,990, this is a broadside from the wily Chinese manufacturer since the price tag undercuts European contenders such as the VW ID.Polo or the Renault R5 by several thousand euros.Although the Geely E2 is about as inspiring to look at as a bar of soap, it is quick off the mark in the city, has a huge screen inside and is altogether a lot more spacious than it looks.Those wanting a smaller runaround at a low price should seriously consider it.The E2 stands at 4.14 metres, making it a hand's breadth longer than the ID.Polo. The Chinese have made clever use of the compact dimensions and with a wheelbase of 2.65 metres and a flat floor, two adults can sit comfortably in the back seat.There's also plenty of storage space. The boot alone has a capacity of 375 litres, which is as much as a VW Golf, and it can be expanded to up to 1,320 litres.On top of that, there's ample space for the charging cable and first-aid kit under the bonnet in a 70-litre frunk.Inside the cabin, there are two more clever touches for practical drivers. Instead of a traditional glove compartment, the designers have fitted a drawer into the dashboard and carved out another storage compartment beneath the rear seat.The look and feel inside is also exceptional at this price. The materials are mostly classy, the synthetic leather seats are thickly padded and the safety features are comprehensive.Embedded in the hard plastic surface of the fascia are two displays measuring 8.8 inches and 14 inches and these provide all the information about everything that could be important to the driver or the front passenger.Most of the irritating warning tones can be turned off too and the navigation map is larger than in many other models in this class.The occupants of the E2 should feel safe with seven airbags as standard and a suitably rigid body. The E2 achieves a top rating of five stars in Euro NCAP – a feat that by no means all cars in this class manage.So, everything's looking good at the entry level, but does this car pose a serious threat to the established players?At first glance, perhaps it does since the price is attractive and there's also the bonus of a generous warranty covering eight years and 200,000 kilometres.But as soon as it comes to driving, the Chinese champion's lustre fades noticeably.The engineers at the European development centre in Raunheim have done a good job in sharpening up the suspension, steering and brakes. But even a city car has to head onto the motorway now and again and a top speed of 130 km/h may translate to too little performance for some.Charging is simply weak. The maximum available charging power is only 80 kW, and in the base model it drops to a dismal 60 kW. Geely is capable of much faster charging, but it seems ruthless cost-cutting put paid to that on the E2.The E2 is available in two power-train configurations. There's the dullish base model, the E2 Pro with 82 hp (60 kW) and a 35 kWh battery, offering a standard range of 252 kilometres.Things improve with the E2 Max, which delivers 116 hp (85 kW), has a 47 kWh battery and is said to have a range of 345 kilometres. Although it costs €4,000 more, it is still noticeably cheaper than the Renault R5 or VW ID.Polo.The price is unbeatable and, let's face it, hardly any other small car offers so much practicality for everyday use for so little money, while boasting a very solid-quality interior and exemplary safety.Nevertheless, unlike in its home market of China, the E2 is unlikely to be a runaway success in Europe and further afield.And why not? Well, the established brands are themselves currently launching a range of attractive new-generation small cars and the E2's driving performance just isn't suited to busy traffic conditions outside city confines. The poor charging capacity is also simply not good enough.Performance: Geely E2 MaxIn the E2, Geely has turned the traditional glove compartment into a handy drawer. Thorsten Weigl/Geely/dpaThe Gely E2 is about as inspiring to look at as a bar of soap, but it's quick off the mark in the city. Thorsten Weigl/Geely/dpaThe look and feel inside is exceptional at this price. The materials are mostly classy and the synthetic leather seats are thickly padded. Thorsten Weigl/Geely/dpaEmbedded in the hard plastic surface of the fascia are two displays measuring 8.8 inches and 14 inches and these provide all the information about everything that could be important to the driver or the front passenger. Thorsten Weigl/Geely/dpaThe boot capacity ranges from 375 to 1,320 litres, and there's a further 70 litres in the front boot. Thorsten Weigl/Geely/dpa
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