Battery size: 61 kWh (total capacity)
E-Rating™: A+
Max charge rate: 120 kW (est)
Range: 275 miles 
Introduction
The Kia EV2 is a compact hatchback that, at 4.06m long, is a similar size to the Renault 5 and VW ID.Polo, and is a bit bigger than the dinky Hyundai Inster.
I really like the subtle SUV touches like the rugged(ish) bumpers and wheel arches – actually very practical for the UK’s potholed roads and trolley-bump prone car parks. There’s also the trademark Kia vertical daytime running lights, and you can definitely see the blocky styling that we’ve come to know and love on the Kia EV3 and EV9 – and on the new Kia EV4.
As with all of its cars, Kia is focusing on making the EV2 as efficient as possible so it gets Kia's active aero flaps that open and close at the relevant speeds to improve aerodynamics, among lots of other clever details. The flush door handles
Range, battery and charging
The EV2's range is still to be finalised, but we know that it's going to have a 42.2 kWh LFP- and a 61.0 kWh NMC battery. However, I do wonder if Kia will bring the smaller battery to the UK, as most buyers over here will want the bigger battery that's expected to be capable of 275 miles WLTP range, while the smaller battery will manage more like 200 miles. We'll see, but I wouldn't be surprised if Kia decides to just bring the big battery over the UK!
Even more interesting is the fact the long range Kia EV2 should qualify for the full UK government grant of £3,750 – given its being built in Slovakia, and the battery is also coming from Hungary. So it may well meet the government's criteria (which requires cars to be produced as locally as possible).
The Kia EV2 shares its architecture with the Kia EV3 and support 10-to-80% DC fast charging in approximately 30 minutes, so while Kia still hasn't confirmed charging speeds I'd estimate that means peak charging of 120kW. You also get 11kW AC charging, while faster 22kW AC charging capability is optional on all EV2 models, which can be handy when you’re charging away from home.
And you get Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), which means that you can charge your electrical devices from the car's high voltage battery, and even power your house using the car - albeit that requires a compatible home charger.
A heat pump, which helps with cold weather efficiency, is also going to be available as an option on all versions of the EV2. Which is interesting, as Kia's only offered a heat pump as an option on top spec GT-Line S trims of its other models until now, so maybe we'll see a heat pump being offered across all trims on other Kia EVs? Here's hoping.
Practicality and boot space
The Kia EV2 is impressively practical for a small car. You can choose from the standard, three-person rear bench, which leaves you with a 362-litre boot space. That's roughly on a par with the Renault 5, if a bit behind the VW ID.Polo and Citroen e-C3 Aircross. But you can also pay a bit extra for a two-seat rear bench that slides forward and back, just like in the Hyundai Inster. It also reclines and folds down in a 50/50 split, which is very neat. I definitely think we need more of this clever usability in EVs, it's so useful for everyday stuff - like trying to get a kids bike in, as well as your kid!
Going for that setup obviously means that the EV2 becomes a four-seat rather than a five-seat car, but like I said - the extra versatility can be really useful and means that you get between 321- and 403 litres of boot space.
Up front it feels pretty roomy for a compact car. Maybe a bit more spacious than the Renault 5 when it comes to head room. It's certainly a decent interior that feels pretty hard wearing. I'm a bit gutted that the removable speakers and mushroom-based materials of the EV2 concept haven't made it to production, it's all just the straightforward, pleasant interior that you'd expect from Kia. I think the Renault 5 and Hyundai Inster have got a bit more colour - and character - to their dashboards and materials, but I still think the EV2 is smart and grown-up for a small car.
Interior, design/styling and technology
Like I said, the dash is all pretty predictable, which isn't a bad thing as Kia's very good at doing user-friendly interiors. The big news is the EV2's infotainment system. Kia is going down its tried and tested route of giving you the big car interior in a smaller package, so the touchscreen system has the same software layout that we're used to from other Kias. But in the EV2 you can choose to save a bit of money and go for a stripped-back version that does without factory-fit sat-nav, and relies solely on wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
I love that idea. After all, the EV2 is a budget car and people really want to keep purchase costs down at this end of the market. Not only that, but loads of us prefer phone mirroring apps like Apple CarPlay (which allows you to use many of your phone's apps, maps and media functions on the car's system), so it's no great loss to do without nav. But isn't it great to get the choice.
More importantly though, if you do stick with its own system then you'll find Kia's infotainment pretty straightforward and easy to use, plus it gets over-the-air software updates.
You also get loads of driver assistance tech, including including 360-degree parking camera, and even remote parking assist that lets you put the EV2 into a tight space by using the key. There's nothing else in this class with that kind of tech, although I suspect that you'll be paying for the top-spec EV2 to get this feature!
And let me mention the puddle lamps which project the logo onto the ground in the dark. It's not that long ago that we first saw this tech in upmarket cars like Range Rovers and now it's in Kia's most affordable EV. It feels pretty special to see them when you unlock your car and I think its a great touch,
Motors and performance
Power in the Kia EV2 comes from a single electric motor mounted at the front, regardless of which battery you go for, so you won't be able to get a four-wheel drive version if that was something you were hoping for. But Kia does have a habit of adding a performance GT model to its cars so we can live in hope! Four-wheel drive is very rare on small cars like this, but if you do want some kind of rugged potential, then the Jeep Avenger has reasonable ground clearance and clever traction control (even if it does cost quite a bit more than the Kia).
The 0-62mph spring takes 8.7 seconds in the smaller battery version and the larger battery is a more sedate 9.5 seconds. You can also tow with the Kia EV2, which is rated for up to 750kg. Good enough for a light trailer, or being able to fit a factory tow bar can also be really useful for rear-mounted bike carriers.
Pricing and on sale date
Kia hasn't confirmed pricing yet, but if it does bring the smaller battery EV2 to the UK then it'll likely cost around £24,000, while it's likely that the bigger battery car will come in at around £27,000. Specifications and trims haven't been confirmed, either, but expect the usual Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S trims, so expect the top-end, long range Kia EV2 models to cost over £30,000. But, there's always that government grant in the UK, which could mean that the big battery EV2 will have a discount of £3,750, making it really fantastic value.
We'll have to wait and see what Kia confirms in terms of pricing and grant eligibility, but we should no more fairly soon. The Kia EV2 will go on sale in summer 2026 and I'm expecting to drive it in the next few months so watch - this space for a full drive review, and full details on pricing when it's announced.
Verdict
Kia really is on a roll, at the moment. It's got a great recipe for its EVs, which seems to be working well when applied to all of its electric cars - big and small. The EV2 really impresses me as it takes little bits of the Hyundai Inster's versatility and quirkiness, and the VW ID.Polo's maturity and touring usability, and mixes it all up into a smart, great value package. I'll have to drive it before I can really decide a final verdict, but if it drives with the sort of calm assurance that other Kias manage, then the EV2 is going to be a huge hit.
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