This Pocket-Sized EV Won't Empty Your Piggy Bank - The 2025 Geely Panda Mini
Image Credit: Geely.
My dear sunshine seekers and purveyors of petite power - I have found this amazing little nugget! It's a tiny treasure with a surprisingly big personality. I give you the delightful 2025 Geely Panda Mini!
When I say this Geely Panda Mini is "mini," trust me, I know my dimensions. It is a smidge over 10 feet long, barely five feet wide (a petite 59.9 inches), and a hair over five foot three inches tall (63 inches to be exact). Its wheelbase? A cozy 6.6 feet, or around 79.4 inches. It's so compact you could probably parallel park it in your living room… though I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're really into that minimalist décor thing.
Image Credit: Geely.
But despite its diminutive size, this little electric bean is making some serious waves over in China, where it's squaring up against the reigning champion of cute EVs, the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV. And with over 284,000 units of the original Panda Mini finding happy homes since its debut in February 2023, it's clear Geely is onto something. To keep the momentum humming, they've unleashed the new kid on the block: the 2025 Geely Panda Mini Vitality Bear. With a name like that, how can you not be at least a little bit curious?
This "Vitality Bear" sports a snazzy black strip across its little face, a new front bumper with these rather charming oval bits, and a spoiler on the roof that hints at… well, not exactly breakneck speed, but certainly a touch of sporty flair. Rolling on three-spoke, 13-inch wheels, it's available in hues that sound like a pastel dream: beige, pink, white, and blue. Decisions, decisions!
Image Credit: Geely.
Peeking inside is like stepping into a candy-colored wonderland. You've got your choice of pink, black, or green interiors. The center console has been tweaked – the climate controls have shrunk, and more of the action has moved to the center display. Speaking of which, say hello to new oval air vents and a shiny new LCD instrument cluster. Smart thinking, Geely! They even ditched a shelf to make room for an airbag – safety first, even in the cutest of contraptions.
This little funky dynamo boasts an 8-inch LCD instrument panel and a 9.2-inch center screen. You also get a multi-function steering wheel, a smartphone holder, and even a bag hook - where else are you going to hang your shopping after a successful grocery run?. Plus, a rear-view camera and parking sensors are on board to help you squeeze into those tight parking spots that would make even a seasoned city driver sweat. And for peace of mind, it's got two airbags and an ESP system.
The trunk offers a respectable 69 liters (around 2.4 cubic feet) of space – enough for a few bags of groceries or maybe a small, well-behaved dog. And with a turning radius of just under 13.1 feet, it can literally pirouette around tight corners.
Image Credit: Geely.
What makes this little bear tick? It's packing an LFP 17-kilowatt-hour battery from Gotion, which powers a rear-mounted electric motor producing a respectable 30 kilowatts, or about 40 horsepower. I know, 40 horses is barely enough to power a decent vacuum cleaner… but this pink bear makes the most of it with top speed electronically limited to 62 miles per hour. It isn't going to win any drag races, but in the stop-and-go of city traffic it'll be perfectly adequate.
The claimed range under CLTC conditions is 130 miles on a single charge. Of course, real-world driving might see that number dip a tad, especially if you have a heavy foot (though I'm not sure how heavy you can be with 40 horsepower). But thanks to its 22 kW DC fast-charging capability, you can juice it up from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Image Credit: Geely.
And the price? I don't think there's anything you can do to prepare yourself for a bit of a shock. The 2025 Geely Panda Mini Vitality Bear will set you back a mere 49,900 yuan in China. That translates to roughly $6,850 USD. For less than the price of a well-optioned bicycle, you can have your very own electric car! It's also being sold alongside the older Panda Mini, which ranges from about $4,100 to $7,400 USD. Suddenly, that daily commute doesn't seem quite so painful, does it?
The 2025 Geely Panda Mini isn't going to break any speed records or cross continents on a single charge. But for zipping around the city, tackling errands, and looking utterly adorable while doing it, this little electric bear seems like a fantastic option. It's affordable, surprisingly well-equipped for its size and price, and who wouldn't smile seeing one of these little bundles of electric joy rolling down the street? The Panda Mini is a gentle reminder that sometimes, the best things really do come in small and surprisingly affordable packages.
