Kia EV2 (2026 - )

If ever you were searching for proof that great things come in small packages, then look no further than the all-new Kia EV2. It may be the baby in the Kia EV line-up, but it’s got a grown-up attitude and is very big on performance, styling and all-round appeal.
While the finer details concerning the trim line-up and costings are yet to be announced, we can assume the EV2 will be sold in Kia’s established grades called Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S, with the possibility of a special limited-run launch edition quite a common factor these days. Additionally, when the EV2 was unveiled for the first time at the Brussels Motor Show, we had it on reliable authority that the starting price would be around the £25k mark.
What we do know for certain though is this five-door fully-electric car will be sold with the choice of two batteries. The Standard Range 42.2kWh unit is capable of delivering up to 197 miles between charges, while the Extended Range 61kWh battery, which is expected to be the most popular in the UK, sees an increase to 281 miles.
The EV2 has been designed, engineered and fine-tuned at the company’s Zilina plant in Slovakia, and it is aimed at the European market alone for now. It may be offered in Korea at a later date, but there are no plans as yet.
We headed to sunny Portugal to test drive the EV2 in a European Baseline trim, that was anything but basic and featured the smaller 42.2kWh battery.
 

Our European EV2 in Baseline trim had the Standard Range 42.2kWh battery with a single motor and it delivered 147hp and 250Nm of torque. It could reach 62mph from a standing start in 8.7 seconds and topped out at 100mph, while delivering a combined 197 miles of range between charges.
In and around the bustling streets of Lisbon, the front-wheel drive EV2 was agile and simple to manoeuvre through the busy crowds with the all-round driver visibility proving a real benefit, as was the regenerative braking. This can be adjusted via the steering wheel-mounted paddles with the strongest i-Pedal setting offering single-pedal driving. This is really worth exploring in stop-and-go traffic as it will bring the car to a complete standstill without touching the brakes.
Additionally, there are drive modes called Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow that alter the characteristics and dynamics of the car accordingly. Normal mode was ideal for the highway driving, where the EV2 quickly reaches the national speed limits, which are higher than those in the UK, and the vehicle still had plenty more to give.
Sport mode was the perfect setting when faced with twisting mountain climbs with lots of hairpin bends. The handling feels sharper and more alert responding quickly to every input. And it’s just as capable when firing through similar bends during the descent. The EV2 is well planted, confident and there was no sign of any body sway to unsettle things.
We should also mention the EV2’s highly-impressive refinement levels. Barely a sound filtered into the cabin, even at higher speeds, and the suspension set-up smoothed out any bumps and dips along the way too. 
 

There’s no denying the kerb appeal of the Kia EV2 which is like a miniature version of its bigger EV9 sibling, with a bold upright design and plenty of stand-out design cues. For example, it adopts the company’s Opposites United design philosophy showcasing the latest Star-map signature lights, with ultra-slim LEDs that take their inspiration from the constellations with distinctive vertical daytime running lights.
At the rear, the lights are positioned at the outer edges of the car to help accentuate its width, and other eye-catching design cues include flush door handles, chunky wheel arches, rear privacy glass, roof rails and snazzy 18-inch alloys.
The interior is typically Kia, which certainly isn’t a bad thing. So, expect upmarket upholstery, a powered driver’s seat, heated front seats and heated steering wheel, plenty of user-friendly tech with a nice mix of physical and touchscreen controls, plus a very upmarket infotainment set up.
There are three screens merging seamlessly together and these form the nerve centre of the car. A 5.3-inch climate panel is flanked by a pair of 12.3-inch screens. There is the driver display which shows vital data such as speed, range and battery charge levels, while the entertainment screen offers access to much of the on-board tech, which is plentiful.
Expect to find full smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an in-built sat nav, reversing camera, and much more. Our test car also included a pitch-perfect Harmon Kardon sound system, but this certainly wouldn’t be a standard feature on the UK base model.
 

The EV2 may be Kia’s smallest electric model to date, but it’s certainly big on space. It stretches 4,060mm in length, is 1,800mm wide, 1,575mm tall and has a 2,565mm wheelbase. Thanks to short front and rear overhangs, a completely flat floor and that generous wheelbase, the interior space is deceptively good.
A couple of tall adults will quickly get comfy up front and there is actually enough leg room for two more directly behind them. A trio of youngsters will easily fit across the rear seats and, with the slightly elevated styling, reaching a child seat is made more convenient with two Isofix anchors as standard.
The boot on our EV2 was accessed via a manual tailgate and could accommodate 362 litres of kit. This limit can be increased to 1,201 litres by dropping the 60:40 split-folding rear seats and there is additional space beneath the boot floor. There is also a small compartment under the bonnet, known as a frunk which is large enough to keep the charging cables neat and tidy.
Throughout the cabin are numerous additional storage options, such as a large area beneath the centre console, a glovebox, a compact cubby beneath the front armrest, door bins with space for a bottle, a single seat back pocket, a wireless charging pad, five USB-C ports, some trays and just one front cup holder that was quite an odd shape.
At this time, we don’t have any timings regarding home charging, but with its 400V high-speed charging, the EV2 Standard Range 42.2kWh battery takes 29 minutes to gain a 10 to 80 per cent boost, while the 61kWh unit is marginally longer at 30 minutes.
The Kia EV2 offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability too, meaning it can be used to power up external appliances, such as e-bikes, camping lights, BBQs and plenty more besides. 
 

The pricing structure for the all-new Kia EV2 is still being kept under wraps as well as confirmation of the trim line-up. But we are expecting a starting price around the £25k mark which will make this B-segment SUV exceptionally attractive.
There will definitely be a choice of Standard or Extended Range batteries and with the car built in Europe we expect it to receive the government’s maximum £3,750 Electric Car Grant.
We also anticipate the vehicle will score well when it is tested for its Euro NCAP safety rating. Every other Kia ‘EV’ model has been awarded the maximum five stars and the EV2 boasts a comprehensive list of safety features and driver assistance aids.
There are some figures we are certain of though. For example, the first-year road tax bill will be £10 and this will increase to the standard 2026/27 fee of £200 after 12 months. There will be no concerns regarding the government’s Expensive Car Supplement as all EV2 models will be well-below the new £50k threshold, and the Benefit in Kind tax rating will be an attractive four per cent.
Kia boasts one of the most comprehensive warranty packages within the industry, so the EV2 will be sold with seven years or 100,000 miles of cover, increasing to eight years battery protection. And like other Kia models, it will also have complimentary roadside assistance for 12 months across the UK and Europe.
 

While a number of the details surrounding the all-new Kia EV2 are still quite sketchy, there are some things that are completely clear. Firstly, it’s a beautifully styled car that boasts distinctive good looks that are unmistakably Kia. Secondly, it is packed with high-end tech that’s easy to use and will come as standard depending on the trim.

Finally, it handles beautifully whether faced with steep climbs, long motorway stints or navigating busy city streets. 

Honestly, it feels like the full package and we would be very surprised if it doesn’t start quickly picking up a wealth of industry awards. It certainly deserves that recognition based on our experience.