The new Kia EV2 compact SUV has been unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show. The latest electric Kia arrives in showrooms this summer, and will take on the best-selling Ford Puma Gen-E.
Offering a choice of two batteries and a range of up to 278 miles, the new Kia EV2 is likely to cost upwards of £25,000, making it the acclaimed South Korean brand’s most affordable electric car.
The new Kia EV2 has a similarly distinctive and unflinchingly modern design as Kia’s other recent models, with crisp lines on the outside and an appealing interior.
It will be built in Europe, at Kia’s plant in Slovakia, which should help with affordability, waiting times and availability. The firm anticipates this being a strong-selling new EV.
“The Kia EV2 represents a significant step in making electric mobility accessible to a broader audience,” said Soohang Chang, president and CEO of Kia Europe.
“As our most compact EV… building the EV2 in Slovakia reinforces our commitment to Europe and ensures this model reflects the needs and expectations of drivers across the continent.”
European production also makes it near-certain that the new Kia EV2 will qualify for the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant, offering a further saving on list prices.
The new EV2, which was previewed at the 2025 Kia EV Day, is another model that follows Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The four-metre-long EV2 has the same design cues as the World Car Award-winning Kia EV3, including vertical daytime running lights and robust wheelarches.
A choice of nine colours will be on offer, including solid, metallic, pearl and even matte shades. Wheel sizes range from 16 inches to 19 inches. The popular Kia GT-Line trim level will also be offered, complete with high-gloss black accents and large rims.
The Kia EV2’s interior follows a so-called ‘picnic box’ concept. There are plenty of fabric-rich materials, along with ambient lighting and a wraparound feel to the dashboard.
Kia’s latest triple-screen infotainment system is called ccNC. There are two 12.3-inch screens wrapped around a 5.3-inch climate control screen.
There’s a charming touch in the front and rear doorhandles, too…
The Kia EV2 will offer a slide-recline rear seat, boosting rear legroom from 885mm to a ‘segment-leading’ 958mm. The seats can also slide and recline independently. With both seats fully forward, it has a 403-litre boot, which is supplemented by a 15-litre ‘frunk’.
Buyers can order the EV2 in either four-seat guise (with the sliding rear seat) or a five-seat format. The latter has a 362-litre boot.
The new Kia EV2 offers a choice of 42.2kWh standard-range and 61.0kWh long-range batteries. The 42.2kWh version is estimated to have a range of 198 miles, with the 61.0kWh battery set to offer 278 miles.
A 400V architecture allows for DC rapid charging in around 30 minutes for both models. Kia will confirm the DC rapid charging rates closer to launch.
Kia EV Route Planner is built into the ccNC infotainment – and is linked to the Kia Charge app, offering convenient Tesla-style Plug & Charge functionality. Bi-directional charging capability means owners could potentially make money when plugged in at home by selling energy back to the grid.
Production of the new Kia EV2 standard-range will begin in February 2026, with long-range and GT-Line versions following in June. Timings for the UK launch of the Kia EV2 will be confirmed closer to its on-sale date.
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