KIA has lifted the wraps on a compact new SUV which marks the entry point to the Korean brand’s fast-expanding electric line-up.
The EV2 is charged with building on the success of award-winners like the EV3, EV6 and EV9, and is expected to have a starting price of around £25,000.
Using Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the newcomer features elements inspired by its larger stablemates and sports vertical daytime running lights, the company’s latest Star Map light signature and stand-out wheel arches.
And an open cabin, inspired by a Picnic Box concept, features a wraparound dashboard plus a new triple-screen infotainment set-up with 12.3-inch driver cluster, 5.3-inch climate control screen and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen display.
Interior space sees the car’s rear legroom extend from 885mms to a handy 958mms and with the seats slid fully forward the EV2’s boot capacity is up to 403 litres – boosted by a 15-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet.
A 2,565mm wheelbase enables various seating arrangements to be adopted and buyers will also get a choice of either a four or five-seat layout with independently sliding and reclining rear seats.
A pair of battery options, a 42.2kWh standard-range battery and a 61.0kWh long-range pack, will be available with fully electric driving ranges of up to 198 miles for the standard-range version and up to 280 miles for the long-range variant.
Both will deliver rapid DC fast charging, the standard-range model able to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 29 minutes, while the long-range version takes around 30 minutes.
And for the first time in a Kia model from launch, the EV2 supports both 11kW and 22kW AC charging, which offers greater flexibility for home and public charging.
As for safety, available systems include Highway Driving Assist 2, Front Collision Avoidance Assist 2.0, Smart Cruise Control 2, Blind-spot View Monitor and Surround View Monitor. There’s also Remote Smart Parking Assist Entry.
The EV2 is the second fully electric model to be built at Kia’s Zilina facility in Slovakia following the EV4 and the plan is for production to start in two phases, with the standard-range model entering production next month with long-range and GT-line variants from June.
Kia’s European chief Soohang Chang said: “The Kia EV2 represents a significant step in making electric mobility accessible to a broader audience.
“As our most compact EV, it blends bold design with cutting-edge advancements in charging, connectivity and safety. Building the EV2 in Slovakia reinforces our commitment to Europe and ensures this model reflects the needs and expectations of drivers across the continent.”
