Kia EV2 Review: Affordable Electric SUV Targets 275-Mile Range

Kia is targeting the growing affordable electric SUV market with the new EV2, a compact model designed to bring technology and practicality from the company’s larger electric vehicles into a four-meter urban SUV. The EV2 is Kia’s smallest and least expensive European EV, positioned below the EV3 in the B-SUV segment. It was previewed in 2025, shown in production form at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show and has been designed, engineered and built at Kia’s factory in Žilina, Slovakia.

UK pricing starts at £24,245 ($33,000) on the road for the 61kWh EV2 Air after the £3,750 ($5,100) Electric Car Grant. The entry model has a claimed 275-mile WLTP range, five seats and a broad selection of standard technology. Kia is also offering the EV2 in GT-Line and GT-Line S versions, while a limited First Edition uses a smaller battery.

The EV2 measures just over 4 meters in length and 1.8 meters wide with its mirrors folded, but its nearly 2.6-meter wheelbase helps create more usable cabin space. Kia has used its “Opposites United” design language, giving the EV2 vertical Star Map lighting, prominent wheel arches, a high bonnet and a clean rear design with low-mounted lights. Flush door handles, active air flaps, a fully covered underbody and a small rear spoiler help the vehicle achieve a 0.29 drag coefficient.

The Air rides on 16-inch black alloy wheels, while the GT-Line variants receive 19-inch wheels. The EV2 follows the increasingly recognizable design direction of Kia’s electric range, sharing visual traits with the EV3, EV5 and EV9 while maintaining a particularly boxy shape intended to make the most of its compact dimensions.

Inside, the EV2 uses Kia’s dedicated 400V E-GMP platform, with the battery positioned beneath a flat floor and a compact drive unit helping free up cabin space. Kia has also reduced the size of its HVAC system by more than 42% compared with its previous system. Front-seat space is generous, although taller rear passengers may find the back seats less accommodating. The GT-Line and GT-Line S offer particularly comfortable seats, while the Air uses firmer seating.

Cargo capacity stands at 326 liters with the rear seats in place and increases to 1,201 liters when they are folded. The EV2 has a flat loading floor, while the First Edition, GT-Line and GT-Line S also feature a 15-liter front trunk. The vehicle can tow up to 750kg when properly braked.

Every UK-specification EV2 comes with three displays: a 12.3-inch instrument screen, a 12.3-inch infotainment display and a 5.3-inch climate-control screen. Kia has retained physical controls for functions such as temperature adjustment and audio volume. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, four USB-C ports, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard on the Air. Wireless smartphone charging is not included on that entry trim.

Kia’s connected services include Plug & Charge, although owners must activate the feature with their charging provider and in the vehicle. The system also supports in-car parking payments and an AI assistant based on ChatGPT. The assistant can provide information from the owner’s manual, help with route planning and recommend stops, but the service is free for only the first year.

Equipment and interior finishes vary by trim. The Air uses gray cloth upholstery with green detailing, while the GT-Line adds two-tone artificial leather and electric driver-seat adjustment. The GT-Line S goes further with ventilated front seats, memory settings, a sliding sunroof, ambient lighting, Digital Key 2.0 and Harman Kardon audio.

The 61kWh Long Range battery uses nickel manganese cobalt chemistry and powers a front-mounted 133hp electric motor producing 250Nm of torque. The Air reaches 62mph in 9.5 seconds, while the heavier GT-Line versions require 9.7 seconds. All Long Range variants have a 100mph top speed.

Although the EV2 is not designed as a performance-focused model, its instant electric torque provides sufficient response for urban driving and A-roads. The suspension and steering were tuned specifically for European roads, while steering-wheel paddles allow drivers to select different regenerative braking settings. These include conventional regeneration, an automatic setting that responds to traffic and i-Pedal one-pedal driving, which also operates in reverse and remembers its previous setting.

Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow driving modes are standard. The EV2 also includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic assistance. At the time of the review, Euro NCAP had not yet published a safety rating for the model.

On faster roads, the EV2 remains composed, although its relatively modest power means acceleration from 60mph to 70mph is not particularly quick. Ride quality is competent rather than exceptional, but the suspension handles potholes effectively. Its compact dimensions also make the vehicle well suited to narrow streets and tight parking spaces, with the reversing camera and parking sensors fitted across the range.

Kia says the EV2 is better equipped for longer trips than several similarly sized electric models, including the Renault 5, Nissan Micra, Citroen E-C3 and Hyundai Inster. Range varies according to trim because of the different wheel sizes. The Air is rated at 275 miles and 4.08 miles per kWh, compared with 261 miles and 3.85 miles per kWh for the GT-Line and 257 miles and 3.81 miles per kWh for the GT-Line S.

During testing, the differences between the versions were less pronounced, with each achieving more than 3.8 miles per kWh. That performance would translate to roughly 232 miles of real-world range, according to the assessment. The EV2 does not use the 800V electrical architecture found in Kia’s larger EVs, but its 118kW peak DC charging rate can take the battery from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. An 11kW AC wallbox takes around five hours and 35 minutes to charge from 10% to full.

The £28,995 ($39,400) GT-Line gives up 14 miles of official range compared with the Air but adds features including more aggressive styling, automatic flush door handles, adaptive headlights, privacy glass, an upgraded cabin, electric driver adjustment, wireless phone charging and the 15-liter frunk. The £32,595 ($44,300) GT-Line S adds further luxury and parking features, as well as vehicle-to-load capability.

A £700 ($950) heat pump is available only on the GT-Line S. With that option, the model tested costs £33,295 ($45,300) with standard paint or £33,945 ($46,200 with a premium finish. The limited First Edition costs £26,995 ($36,700) and combines a 42.2kWh lithium iron phosphate battery with a slightly more powerful 144hp motor. Its 0-62mph time drops to 8.7 seconds, but its range falls to 195 miles.

Kia is also offering substantial warranty coverage. The EV2 is covered for seven years or 100,000 miles, while the high-voltage battery receives eight years or 100,000 miles of coverage. Scheduled servicing is required every 24 months or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Rather than competing through extreme acceleration or exceptionally fast charging, the EV2 focuses on affordability, practical packaging, range and a strong standard equipment list. The £24,245 Air provides the longest range at the lowest price, while the GT-Line adds additional styling and cabin features. The combination gives Kia a strong entry in the small electric SUV segment, particularly for buyers seeking a compact EV that can also handle longer journeys.