Kia EV2 set to become Kia’s smallest, most affordable EV

Kia’s “EV” family continues to grow, and the EV2 is the next new arrival - positioned as the South Korean brand’s smallest and most affordable electric model.

Its public debut is scheduled for 9 January at the Brussels Motor Show. Once on sale, the new Kia EV2 is set to join the B-SUV class and take aim at rivals such as the Renault 4 E-Tech, the BYD Atto 2 and even its own “cousin”, the Hyundai Inster.

Design cues from the Concept EV2

Although it is a fresh addition to Kia’s line-up, the model is not entirely unknown: it has already been previewed as the Concept EV2. Kia says that 99% of what was shown on the concept will carry over to the production car.

That claim looks credible based on the first test mules that have now been spotted. Even with heavy camouflage, the similarities to the concept are hard to miss. The lighting signature appears almost unchanged, with vertical elements positioned at the outer edges of the bodywork - in line with the brand’s “Opposites United” design philosophy.

A high waistline is paired with chunky bumpers and plastic-clad wheel arches, giving the Korean crossover a tough, upright stance.

Cabin and flexibility

The interior has not yet been photographed, but it is expected to follow Kia’s latest approach. That would likely mean the same pair of 12.3" screens and the same clean, minimalist layout.

In a statement, Kia also says the EV2 will deliver a spacious, adaptable cabin. Those two points were also highlighted by the Concept EV2, which featured fore-and-aft adjustment for both the front and rear seats to improve configurability.

What to expect from the Kia EV2?

When it comes to its underpinnings, early expectations that the EV2 would share a platform with the Hyundai Inster no longer apply. According to Kia, the B-segment SUV will instead use the E-GMP platform - the same architecture that underpins both the EV3 and the much larger EV9.

As for the battery, it was previously suggested the EV2 might use the same 42 kWh and 49 kWh packs as its Hyundai relative, but that idea is now also being called into question.

It therefore remains to be confirmed whether this South Korean crossover will adopt those batteries, or move to the larger-capacity units from the EV3: 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh. If that proves to be the case, it could become a segment benchmark for driving range.

Beyond that, the EV2 is confirmed to support remote OTA (over-the-air) updates and to integrate bidirectional charging technology (V2L).

And the prices?

There is still no official pricing information. However, Marc Hedrich, President and CEO of Kia in Europe, says that with the EV2, “we reaffirm our commitment to making electric mobility truly accessible to a wider audience”.

With production set to take place in Slovakia and its presentation confirmed for 9 January, the Kia EV2 is due to reach the market during the first quarter of 2026.