With its cheerful looks, useful range and compact dimensions, the Kia EV2 makes a persuasive case for keeping family motoring simple writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it?
Give a toddler a box of crayons and ask them to draw a car, and the result might look remarkably like the new Kia EV2. A big square body, four enormous wheels and a face made mostly of lights. There is something gloriously cheerful and a little bit quirky about it.
At 4.06 metres long, this compact electric SUV promises useful range, family-friendly practicality and prices starting from €28,660. It is not chasing racetrack fantasies. Its ambitions are rather more useful: carrying people comfortably, making everyday journeys easy and fitting into a parking space when you arrive.
Styling
Kia calls its design philosophy “Opposites United”, although “Tonka toy with a charging cable” might be an equally useful description.
The upright shape and boxy proportions will divide opinion, but the EV2 has personality and should be easy to spot in a crowded car park. Its compact dimensions also mean that looking like a chunky little SUV does not come with the usual struggle to squeeze one into a town-centre parking space.
Under the Bonnet
There are two battery choices. The 42.2kWh version has an official range of 317km, while the larger 61kWh battery increases that to a much more useful 453km.
Our Earth Long Range test car pairs the larger battery with a front-mounted 99.5kW electric motor producing 133bhp. Power goes to the front wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission.
Efficiency impressed during our week with the car, with around 400km readily achievable. Both versions use a 400V architecture, and DC fast charging takes the smaller battery from 10 to 80 per cent in around 29 minutes. The long-range version needs around 30 minutes.
On the road, the EV2 is quiet, refined and comfortable. It may not be the most dynamic thing to drive, but several impromptu day trips proved that it makes remarkably easy company.
What About Inside?
Inside, the EV2 feels considerably more grown-up than its playful exterior suggests.
Three screens dominate the dashboard: a 12.3-inch driver display, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 5.3-inch climate control display. Thankfully, Kia has retained physical controls for most of the functions you need while driving. Adjusting the temperature should not require an expedition through touchscreen menus.
The raised seating position delivers the SUV experience buyers apparently now crave, even when the destination is Tesco. Space up front is good, while rear accommodation is decent rather than generous.
The 362-litre boot should cope with everyday family life, and there is a small 15-litre frunk for a little extra storage. The EV2 carried four of us comfortably during the week, without making its compact size feel like a compromise at every turn.
And Safety?
All versions nevertheless come with a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Standard features include blind-spot collision avoidance, lane keep assist and front collision avoidance assist 2.0.
Smart cruise control is also included, giving even the entry-level model a useful helping of driver assistance equipment.
What Are My Options?
There are four trim levels: Air, Earth, GT-Line and GT-Line Plus.
| Trim | 42.2kWh battery | 61kWh battery |
|---|---|---|
| Air | €28,660 | €31,940 |
| Earth | €30,530 | €33,810 |
| GT-Line | — | €34,810 |
| GT-Line Plus | — | €37,090 |
Our Earth Long Range test car costs €33,810. Both GT-Line versions come with the larger 61kWh battery as standard.
Equipment is good across the range. Even the entry-level Air gets 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Kia’s dual 12.3-inch panoramic display, over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
There is plenty here to make everyday life comfortable without immediately reaching for the most expensive version.
Rivals
The EV2 faces competition from several small electric SUVs, including the Fiat 600 at €28,495, Jeep Avenger at €29,995, Opel Mokka Electric at €29,010 and Renault 4 at €26,995.
Against that company, Kia’s combination of equipment, useful range and compact proportions gives buyers plenty to consider. The styling may decide whether it makes your shortlist, but the everyday practicality makes a persuasive case for keeping it there.
Verdict
Kia understands its buyers, and the EV2 feels perfectly pitched. It offers comfort, equipment, useful range and practicality at a competitive price, wrapped in a shape with enough character to raise a smile.
It is not the most exciting car to drive, and the rear seats are decent rather than sprawling. But as a car for actually going places, carrying people and parking when you get there, it is difficult to fault.
The Kia EV2 is a cheerful, practical family EV that is easy to live with and even easier to like.
