Currently Kia’s smallest EV, this model has been designed with everyday use in mind (Steve Fowler)
Kia is fast filling out its EV range, with a new EV2 joining the World Car award-winning EV3 – along with the EV4, EV5, EV6 and EV9, while an EV1 is rumoured to be on the way, too.
The small EV2 has turned up claiming it will become a go-to family car – which is something the Kia range excels at. This is the brand’s smallest EV – currently – but it’s been designed, engineered and built in Europe with everyday use in mind and not just as a runabout, but as something that could genuinely do it all.
At just over four metres long, the EV2 is firmly in compact SUV territory. This is exactly where the new Volkswagen ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq will sit, yet the Kia doesn’t feel like a budget entry point into the brand’s range. Instead, it’s been pitched as bringing what the company calls “the best of Kia” into a smaller, more affordable package. I described it as “little luxury” when it was first revealed, and that still feels like a neat way of summing it up.
The EV2 certainly looks the part. The upright front end, chunky proportions and bold detailing give it real presence on the road. Despite being a relatively small car, it looks bigger than it is and stands out with a unique look among the increasingly similar-looking small SUVs.
There’s a clear strategy behind it, too. Kia says EVs are now being used much more like petrol and diesel cars, with owners taking them on longer trips and holidays as confidence in charging grows. Range remains the number one concern for buyers, so the EV2 has been engineered to compete strongly on that front – and to make sense as a household’s primary car, not just a second one.
How we tested
My first drive of the EV2 was in and around the Portugal capital of Lisbon. I tested the car on the city streets, out on the motorway and on twisty stuff that would normally be more suited to a sports car, but which the EV2 handled well. I checked on the practicality, riding in the back of the car, and filled the boot, listened to my usual test tracks through the audio system. I also checked out the rest of the tech, along with the efficiency of the electric drive system.
Kia EV2: £25,000 (estimated), Kia.co.uk
The Kia EV2 is an easy and enjoyable car to drive – and to live with (Kia/Thorsten Weigl)
Independent rating: 9/10
Pros: Strong range for the class; easy drive; excellent visibility; quiet and refined; clever tech
Cons: Some cabin materials feel cheap; rear knee room is only average; unsupportive front seat base
Kia EV2 specs
Price from: £25,000 (estimate)
Battery size: 42.2kWh / 61.0kWh
Maximum claimed range: 197 miles / 281 miles
Maximum charging rate: 118kW DC (standard range), 22kW AC
Power: 143bhp standard range (0-62mph in 8.7 seconds)
Battery, range, charging, performance and drive
For this first drive I only sampled the 42.2 kWh/197-mile standard-range EV2, which is due to arrive around the middle of the year – the longer-range 61kWh/281 mile version will follow later.
The Kia EV2’s chunky, upright stance means there’s decent family-friendly space inside (Steve Fowler)
This entry model uses a 42.2kWh battery paired with a 143bhp motor, while the long-range version will get a larger 61.0kWh battery. Claimed range is up to 197 miles for the standard car and 281 miles for the long-range version – which puts it ahead of key rivals like the Skoda Epiq, Volkswagen ID. Cross and Renault 4.
Charging is another strong point. The standard-range EV2 can take up to 118kW on a DC rapid charger, giving a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in around 29 minutes. The long-range car should take about 30 minutes to fill its bigger battery. More interestingly, the EV2 is the first Kia to offer 22kW AC charging from launch, alongside the usual 11kW system. That could prove genuinely useful given how much AC infrastructure there still is in the UK.
Kia reckons that, based on people’s average car usage, the standard-range car could go around 10 days between charges, while the long-range version could stretch to two weeks. Even in very cold conditions, the range only drops modestly, and as with other Kia and Hyundai models, the range readout appeared reassuringly accurate during my test.
Out on the road, performance is perfectly adequate. With 143bhp and a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds, the EV2 is not trying to be sporty, but it feels quick enough for everyday driving. Around town and on A-roads, acceleration is smooth, easy and responsive.
The ride is generally well judged. On urban streets it’s comfortable and not too firm, which is exactly what you want from a car like this. Over longer undulations, though, the body can feel a little loose and floaty before settling down again. It’s not a major issue, but it’s noticeable.
The Kia EV2 is an easy vehicle to drive thanks to its excellent visibility all around the car (Steve Fowler)
Refinement is impressive. There’s a lot of sound-deadening built in, and the EV2 stays very quiet at motorway speeds. It really does feel like a bigger, more substantial car than its size suggests.
Interior, practicality and boot space
For the size of car, the EV2 does a reasonable job with space – helped by a space-efficient EV powertrain. There’s plenty of headroom and good legroom up front, and the upright design gives the cabin an airy feel. It genuinely feels bigger than it is – you could probably wear a top hat inside without any trouble.
Space in the back of the Kia EV2 is OK for adults, but kids will find it spacious (Kia/Thorsten Weigl)
Visibility is excellent all round, with a clear view out of the back and large mirrors that make the EV2 easy to drive and particularly well suited to urban environments.
There are a few quirks, though. The front seat felt slightly odd at first; the backrest supports you nicely, but the base is quite flat and bench-like, so it doesn’t feel as naturally supportive as you might expect. On the plus side, the mesh headrests are extremely comfortable.
Material quality is a bit mixed. Some areas are perfectly fine for the class, and the fabric trim across the dashboard and doors adds a nice touch. But there are also plenty of harder plastics, particularly on the doors and centre console, and a few small quality issues were noticeable on the test car.
The Kia EV2’s boot space isn’t as big as a VW ID. Cross, but still reasonable at 362 litres (Kia/Thorsten Weigl)
The most questionable design choice on my test car was the pastel lime-green trim in the centre console and inside the door handle recess. It looks and feels cheap, and because the central storage area is essentially a hard plastic tray, anything placed there tends to rattle around. Darker interior trims look much better and feel more premium – although even then, you can’t escape all of the bright green detailing, and the ‘have a nice day’ messaging by the door handles.
Rear space is decent rather than outstanding. There’s good headroom, but knee room is a bit tight for adults, putting it broadly in line with the EV2’s rivals. It’ll be absolutely fine for kids, and the wide-opening rear doors make access easy.
Boot space is 362 litres in the five-seat version, rising to 403 litres in the four-seat model with sliding rear seats pushed forward. It’s a useful space, and actually bigger than that of the old Kia Ceed, but it still trails some competitors. The four-seat layout itself feels hard to justify – the five-seat version will be best for most buyers.
The Kia EV2 has a small frunk under the bonnet that’s ideal for cable storage (Kia/Thorsten Weigl)
And if you’re expecting a big panoramic sunroof, don’t. What you get is a small, old-school opening roof rather than a full-length glass panel.
Technology, stereo and infotainment
The EV2 brings a surprising amount of technology for a car in this price bracket. The triple-screen layout combines a 12.3-inch driver display, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a separate climate display, giving the interior a high-tech feel.
The Kia EV2 gets a twin 12-inch screen set-up, but the central touchscreen for heating and ventilation is partly obscured by the steering wheel (Steve Fowler)
There’s support for over-the-air updates and Kia’s “Upgrades” system, which allows additional features to be added after purchase. You can use your phone as a digital key and even operate the remote parking system from it. There’s also the option of a Harman/Kardon audio system, which was surprisingly punchy and well-balanced for a small, affordable car.
The car also comes with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including Highway Driving Assist 2, adaptive cruise control and an in-cabin monitoring system designed to enhance safety.
In use, though, it’s not perfect. The steering wheel can obscure parts of the display for the heating and ventilation (although there are separate temperature control buttons), and some of the touch-sensitive shortcut keys for the touchscreen are pretty impossible to see in bright daylight in cars with lighter trim – I much preferred the dark trim anyway.
The Harman/Kardon audio system in the Kia EV2 is surprisingly impressive (Steve Fowler)
And while the built-in navigation works well enough, it’s not as intuitive or easy to use as Google Maps on your phone.
Prices and running costs
UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the EV2 is expected to sit between £25,000 and £35,000 depending on battery and specification. That would put it right in the heart of the small electric SUV market.
The Kia EV2 wants you to ‘have a nice day’ as you leave the car (Steve Fowler)
The standard-range model will arrive first, with the long-range version and higher-spec models following later.
Running costs should be competitive thanks to strong efficiency, realistic range estimates and flexible charging options. The EV2 also offers vehicle-to-load capability, allowing it to power external devices, which adds another layer of practicality.
The verdict: Kia EV2
The Kia EV2 feels like a smart piece of thinking. It’s compact enough to be easy to live with, but spacious enough inside to work as a proper family car, and it brings a level of technology and charging flexibility that you don’t always find at this price point.
There are a few compromises, particularly around interior materials and some of the ergonomics, but the overall package is convincing. It’s quiet, comfortable, easy to drive and feels bigger than it is.
If the final UK pricing lands where it should, the EV2 could be one of the most appealing small electric SUVs around.
Kia EV2 rivalsFAQsHow long does it take to charge?
The standard-range model offers up to 197 miles of range, while the long-range version can reach up to 281 miles under WLTP testing. The standard-range EV2 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in around 29 minutes using a DC rapid charger. It also supports 22kW AC charging as well as 11kW.
How much does it cost – is it worth it?
Prices are some way off being confirmed, but I’d expect the EV2 to start from around £25,000, going up to around £35,000 for the top-spec models – those prices will be competitive with rivals.
Does Kia replace batteries for free?
Kia is expected to offer its usual seven-year/100,000-mile warranty on the car, with separate eight-year battery cover in line with its existing EV models.
Why trust us
Our team of motoring experts have decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest EV cars, and our verdicts are reached with every kind of driver in mind. We thoroughly test drive every car we recommend, so you can be sure our verdicts are honest, unbiased and authentic.
With more than 30 years of experience, Steve Fowler is one of the UK’s best-known automative journalists. Steve has interviewed key industry figures, from Tesla’s Elon Musk to Ford’s Jim Farley, and is a judge for both Germany’s and India’s Car of the Year Awards, as well as being a director of World Car of the Year. When it comes to electric vehicles, Steve reviews all the latest models for The Independent as they launch, from Abarth to Zeekr, and he uses his expert knowledge of car buyers’ needs to provide a comprehensive verdict.
