Sub-£5k EVs Are Real, And They're Awesome - Geely Panda Mini

The Geely Panda Mini may look cute and harmless but don't be fooled by those adorable looks, this little bear is out for blood - Wuling Hongguang MINI blood. After two years on the throne as King of China's Micro EV scene, the all-conquering Wuling might be forgiven for getting complacent but it'll need to up its game now that serious competition has entered the ring.

Geely have gone straight for the heart with an adorable face and rounded boxy design, but there's plenty of substance under that cheerful metal body, as well as a surprising amount of space and 22kW DC fast charging capability (on higher models). The Panda Mini is a basic but incredibly charming car, but will that be enough to win over customers of China's favourite toy car?

[hum]

Now if only car makers over in the UK would listen. There is a big market for something like this. Instead we get ever more expensive alternatives on our roads. I would buy this at this price as it would be incredibly rare that I might need something else. Please someone make this possible in the UK.

[samhaokipofficial]

I'd buy this in a heartbeat if it was available in my market. I'm sick and tired of driving SUVs the size of a small home.

[vincem]

Here in the U.S we seem to be going in the opposite direction 🙄 pushing for larger trucks, SUVs and crossovers. I hate it. We need smaller, compact, reliable, and simple. More importantly...affordable! I love this and hope the Chinese get to sell it here. We need competition in the car space.

[RoberinoEldorado]

I wish this was available in Europe. It would make a great affordable car. It's always nice to have some affordable cars among all the 40.000 Euro monsters.

[hyp-ext]

Putting a panoramic sunroof on a tiny car is genius. I can't imagine feeling claustrophobic in a car with this many windows.

[ChocolateMilkMonster]

It's literally what the market needs right now - Cheap barebones city car with good mileage and a nice aesthetic. I Really hope these get a global release at some point. I think it'd sell well in almost all countries.

[JaayTea]

I visited China for the first time a few months ago and was completely blown away by the amount of small electric cars (I think the really tiny ones have since been banned), they just seem so practical and I wish I had one here in Australia just because I think they're cool.

[bobeden]

Thanks for keeping your presentation concise and simple without all the clowning around favored by others. Goodonyamate!

[packard]

I have not been on the EV bandwagon for a multitude of reasons and most of them having to do with the fact that all the car and truck manufacturers are just making the same mistakes by building EVs that are just too damn big and are just EV versions of the ICE vehicles they have been pushing on people for years now. That said I love seeing these little mini EV cars and think that this is where they should have all started to begin with. They make more sense right now rather than trying to shift everyone into a big EV car or truck which require too big a battery and leave many people with that range anxiety worry. But these will never make it to the US because of the ridiculous rules and safety bs that keeps even the Japanese kei cars from being sold here. And that is the real shame of it all. I would buy one of these in a second if we could get them here.

[terryhayward]

If that was available in the UK, I would have one today. It really is time that we had some small cheap EV's here. I drive a Volvo XC70 to tow a caravan, but most of my journeys are local, so this would be perfect as a daily driver.

[malcomk]

I wish they sell this in the US, I would definitely buy it for commute.

[philiphart]

This would be spot on for my needs. I can't see the point in spending £20K+ on an EV 2nd car when i've got a perfectly good diesel. But I would happily stump up £5K+ on this as a discretionary purchase. When is it going to be available for purchase in UK?

[ydmf]

Wish we had more small cars. Love this car. Great review👌

[modusdeus]

Amazing little car, hope they become available for sale in the UK. I would rather a basic cheap electric vehicle for commuting as opposed to £40-50k alternatives that we are currently being offered. I don't need self driving, lane assist, wrap around consoles, mood lighting etc. Why modern cars need to be absolutely packed full of expensive electronic components is anyone's guess.

[KimSE]

This would be great as a zipcar - just pick one up do what you need to (do your weekly shop usually, or pick up/drop off), then park it back where it lives, plug it in, forget about it. That'd cover 90% of what I need to do in a town. I'd be happy to hire a car for long journeys anyway - something nice and luxurious for the occasional big trip.

[Mr.Wafflesst]

My first thought seeing this car was, omg it's so cute I want to give it a hug

[OtherMe-AM]

We need affordable cars like this everywhere!

[moog]

Imagine shifting all the SUV school runs and OAP trips round town replaced with these. Quiet, cleaner air round town and twice the parking spaces. And the price? £4800? God we are being ripped off in the U.K. with our £40k+ EV’s.

[Ianmundo]

A lot of people, especially older people only need a car for occasional use, like visiting friends, family and shops. This is an excellent vehicle for the most basic needs

[petervarley]

The door is almost a meter wide but it has 14" wheels and the sunroof is 64" long! I laughed at the mixed units. I wish we could all go metric, all the time. (I live in the US.)