First Drive: The Kia EV2 proves that small things come in big packages

What is it?

When it comes to electric vehicles, Kia offers some of the best on the market, thanks to their excellent driving dynamics, futuristic styling and affordable prices.

The EV2 is the latest and smallest EV the firm has produced, sitting in the B-segment and going up against the likes of the Ford Puma Gen-E and Renault 4.

With its cutesy-yet-rugged looks, does the EV2 retain Kia’s excellent reputation for building good-to-drive, solid and practical EVs, or is this new model a missed opportunity for the brand?

What’s new?

The EV2 sits on the firm’s ‘E-GMP’ platform and boasts a 400-volt architecture to enable ultra-rapid charging speeds.

It utilises Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design language, too, with lots of distinctive styling cues to give it a bold presence on the road.

There will be a choice of two battery packs and three trim levels when the car goes on sale later this year and it is expected to undercut the competition in terms of value.

What’s under the bonnet?

The EV2 will be available with two battery packs but it’s the smaller ‘Standard Range’ setup we’re driving.

It’s equipped with a 42.2kWh unit paired to an electric motor. Producing 145bhp and 250Nm of torque, this setup allows the EV2 to hit 60mph in 8.5 seconds and go on to a top speed of 100mph.

Kia claims that this variant can travel up to 197 miles between charges and DC rapid-charging is compatible, with a 10 to 80 per cent top-up completed in 29 minutes. However, the firm has not revealed maximum charging speeds at this stage.

There will also be a ‘Long Range’ 61kWh version mated to an electric motor, though the electric range and performance figures are yet to be confirmed.

What’s it like to drive?

The EV2’s driving characteristics are hard to fault because it does everything just right.

The car’s nimble and accurate steering makes it a really entertaining drive on a twisty road, while the suspension does a great job of being comfortable without being too fidgety.

Thanks to the car’s acoustic glass and extra soundproofing, the cabin feels like it’s a class above when it comes to refinement with the only real noise coming from some wind whistling around the door mirrors.

In town, the small exterior proportions make it easy to slot through tight gaps in traffic and the one-pedal drive mode allows the driver to gently coast to a standstill after you lift off the throttle.

The only criticism we have is the rear visibility, as the shallow back window and thick C-pillars obstruct your view when reversing. Thankfully, the car’s rear-view camera does help.

How does it look?

We think the EV2 is a smart-looking crossover, a lot of which is down to Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design language.

The vertical LED daytime running lights and ‘Star Map’ lighting signature make it look like a miniature Kia EV9, while the rugged lower-body mouldings and roof bars give it a bold appearance.

The rear end is much more exclusive than other Kia models due to the small vertical taillights, which are pushed out into the corners of the bumper to give a much cleaner tailgate design.

What’s it like inside?

If you’re familiar with Kia’s interiors, you’ll not be surprised to find that the EV2 follows the same dashboard design as its siblings.

The layout is complemented by dual 12.3-inch screens and a 5.3-inch central climate control display, though this latter feature is obscured by your hand as you drive.

A cool little touch is the ‘have a nice day’ emblems in the front door cards and a ‘hello’ message located on top of the driver’s door panel, which gives a warm and welcoming approach.

Storage isn’t too bad with large door bins, a central armrest cubby space and deep compartments in the centre console.

Even though the EV2 is a small car, rear-seat passengers shouldn’t have too much trouble getting comfortable with ample head, leg and knee room for even six-foot adults. Rear passengers also get two USB-C charging ports, large door pockets, aeroplane-style seatback pockets and a three-pin plug socket to charge up a laptop or other external devices.

The EV2 provides up to 362 litres of boot space, which is down on the Renault 4’s 420-litre capacity. There is additional space under the false floor, but the shallow boot area and high load lip make it harder to hoist heavier items into the car. At least there is a 15-litre frunk – ideal for stowing the charging cables.

What’s the spec like?

UK specifications have not been confirmed, although it’s likely to follow other Kia models with its trim level structure: ‘Air’, GT-Line and GT-Line S.

Final equipment lists have not been revealed either, but our entry-level test car features 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth seat upholstery, dual 12.3-inch screens and a 5.3-inch digital climate control display.

GT-Line variants gain larger 19-inch wheels and unique GT-Line exterior and interior enhancements.

There will also be a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function available, allowing the car’s battery to be used to power electrical appliances such as a hair dryer or microwave. You’ll also get a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) function, allowing energy stored from the vehicle’s battery to be transmitted back into the electricity grid.

Prices will be announced soon, with it anticipated to start at around the £24,000 mark when the car goes on sale later this year.

Verdict

Kia has put a lot of effort into the EV2 and we think this could be the brand’s next big seller.

With its excellent driving experience, charismatic exterior design, and stylish and versatile cabin, this is an EV that will fit into many families’ lives without a problem.

Once we know prices for the UK market, then we can conclude whether the Kia EV2 is a step above the competition when it comes to value for money. From what we’ve experienced, the EV2 is an example of Kia at its best – providing an accessible, easy-to-own EV with lots of style.