The Kia EV2 is finally here, joining the swelling ranks of compact electric cars vying for your attention and money. Cars of this size are a key battleground for multiple manufacturers right now, with vehicles like the Renault 5 making waves with its quirky design and good practicality. So, while it might be easy to say the EV2 has its work cut out, we think it competes on even ground. Particularly its maximum range of up to 280 miles and heaps of interior space, both justifying its potential as THE family car. The eagle-eyed among you will notice some similarities between it and the excellent Hyundai Inster and that’s because they share underpinnings. But, make no mistake, this is a Kia electric car through and through, and feels way more grown-up than the Inster.
Kia has some lofty environmental goals on its list, including working towards a 25 per cent rate of recycled plastic use in new vehicles sold in Europe by 2020 (five per cent higher than the goal disclosed in 2024’s sustainability report) and the use of 100 per cent renewable energy at its plants by 2040. But the company is also demonstrating some clear wins, such as having its Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and greenhouse gas emissions data independently verified by a third party, recycling 100 per cent of the steel scrap during manufacturing, and introducing its own ‘10 must-have sustainability items’ checklist for each new car. This checklist includes replacing non-renewable materials with alternatives like bioplastics, using recycled PET fabrics, bio paint and BTX-free paint. The new EV2 wins points for being an electric car producing no tailpipe emissions and being made in facilities where water use, recycling and better battery technologies are being actively monitored and worked on, and clear environmental goals set, trained and enforced.
Running costs for a Kia EV2
“Most customers will choose the bigger battery, and why not? 280 miles of range in a car of this size is great”
Opting for a long-range EV2 with the bigger 61kWh battery pack will net you up to 280 miles of range by Kia's official figures, which should be more than enough for a week of short journeys or one long journey on a full charge. Meanwhile, the standard car’s 42.2kWh battery pack provides close to 200 miles, which brings down the cost of the vehicle and still leaves you with plenty of range. Pricing starts around the £25K mark which can be further broken down on finance or a good lease deal and, until Electric Car Grant savings are set in stone, Kia is knocking money off several models. DC fast charging takes around 30 mins on both battery sizes for a 10-80 per cent charging session, and both 11kW and 22kW AC charging speeds are supported. Home charging will cost less as it's linked to your own energy tariff, while public charging will leave you at the mercy of the provider. We feel most customers will choose the bigger battery, and why not? 280 miles of range in a car of this size is great and really does reduce the potential for range anxiety to creep in.
Expert rating: 5/5
Reliability of a Kia EV2
“In our time reviewing Kia cars we hear little in the way of reported problems and would assume the EV2 will prove to be cut from similar cloth”
Kia’s record for reliability is excellent and backed up by the company’s confidence-inspiring seven-year warranty. In our time reviewing Kia cars we hear little in the way of reported problems and would assume the EV2 will prove to be cut from similar cloth. The warranties are fully transferable between owners (inside the seven-year limit) and are way longer than the average lease terms of two to five years. Electric cars also benefit from having fewer complex mechanical parts, which has a positive impact on long-term maintenance.
Expert rating: 5/5
Safety for a Kia EV2
“The EV2 is a family car, so it makes sense for it to get such a robust safety specification”
Like other Kias, the EV2 comes equipped with a myriad of safety systems such as highway driving assist, front collision avoidance, smart cruise control, parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and even surround view and a full external sensor package. EV2 is also the first Kia car to include an in-cabin monitoring unit fitted into the rear-view mirror. This clever system monitors the driver for things like attentiveness and where occupants are positioned in the vehicle to minimise injury if the airbags are deployed. The system can even take evasive measures like reducing speed and shouting warnings to other road users if the driver can’t take control in time. Kia cars are getting safer and more clever … and with the EV2 being a family car it makes sense for it to get such a robust safety specification.
Expert rating: 5/5
How comfortable is the Kia EV2
“There’s no doubt the EV2 will work for most families of four or five… even at the basic trim level”
The EV2’s interior is surprisingly spacious with a TARDIS-like feeling when you step into it. There’s not one seat which has ‘just enough’ space because leg- and head-room is abundant. Every model comes with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic air-con, and loads of connectivity options and sockets. The rear seats are split 60:40 and can fold down to increase the luggage space in the boot. There’s a generous centre console with storage beneath, more in a box up front and a centre armrest with cupholders in the back. Alongside the comfortable seating, it’s also very quiet to drive. Kia’s engineers have reduced road and wind noise in the cabin by including baffled carpets, sound-absorbing quality tyres, and acoustic laminated door and windscreen glass, among other things. Sound absorbing materials are also fitted to the dashboard’s inner lining, around the frunk and underbody cover. We tested the car on Portuguese motorways, mountain roads and city streets, and can confirm it’s one of the quietest cars we’ve driven. The higher trim levels add various touches including a better sound system, privacy glass on the rear windows, artificial leather upholstery and wireless charging, but there’s no doubt the EV2 will work for most families of four or five… even at the basic trim level. We think the only problem you’ll encounter is choosing your first destination for a long drive to test the 280-mile range!
Expert rating: 5/5
Features of the Kia EV2
“We’d definitely recommend the top trims to anyone considering an EV2. You get so much for the money”
The EV2 is packed with features from the entry-level with higher trims adding bells and whistles. Standard highlights include the 12.3-inch driver display, 5.3-inch climate control touch screen, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, loads of USB-C sockets in the front and back, eCall system, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Jumping up in trim levels adds things like alloy wheels, exterior styling, better sound systems, electric seats, a frunk, one-touch electric windows and more. We’d definitely recommend the top trims to anyone considering an EV2… you just get so much for the money. Given the walk-up in price won’t make a massive difference on finance it feels a no-brainer. It’s so worth it! The car even has a little “have a nice day” message embossed on the interior door panelling. We love it.
Expert rating: 5/5
Power for a Kia EV2
“It’s powerful enough for family driving without feeling unsafe, while still providing enough style to be a fun solo drive”
Okay, so aside from the two battery choices – long-range and standard-range – all EV2s use the same single front-mounted electric motor. Those using the standard-range battery pack get the full 144 horsepower, while those using the long-range battery pack are slightly detuned to 133 horsepower. It’s a negligible difference on paper, but one we’re keen to experience first-hand. We drove the long-range version out in Portugal and found it to be a great urban and motorway car. Lisbon’s steep and windy city streets were very easy to navigate, and it was easy to get up to and maintain speed on the motorways. We don’t think the UK’s more open towns and cities will bother the EV2 one bit, and it’s quick enough off the mark that you’ll be able to exploit gaps in traffic. Regenerative braking settings are not overly harsh, but on the highest setting you do get a one-pedal driving experience, something we know people either love or hate. It’s also no sports car, and while retaining the usual nippy feel of an electric car it just drives in a confident and unrushed manner. And that’s the point. Kia is aiming for EV2 to be a ‘daily use’ car and has nailed it. It’s powerful enough for family driving without feeling unsafe, while still offering up just enough style to be a fun solo drive. Coincidentally, we found ourselves sharing the road with a lot of Renault 5s in Portugal, but we didn’t feel jealous of those people. The range and space provided by the EV2 nudges it slightly ahead. But… until we get a chance to test both power outputs, the EV2 gets a firm four stars in this category. Oh so very close to a perfect score, but this is a five-star car overall!
