Has Kia cracked an affordable EV?

Kia’s EV journey started with the higher end models such as the sleek looking EV6 and the huge EV9, a model designed to rival the likes of the Defender or even maybe a Range Rover.

This then is their first foray into the competitive small car segment of the EV market.

In my opinion it is this class of car where EVs are best suited. Compact, not carrying massive heavy batteries and yet with reasonable range for urban use. The larger EVs in many cases are just way too big and heavy and not as efficient as their smaller counterparts.

The new EV2 then is up against some tough competition, with rivals such as the excellent Renault 4 e-tech or the Nissan Micra or indeed the Renault 5 to name but a few.

The EV2 is priced from €28,660 for the AIR version with a rather small 42.2 kWh battery. There are four trim levels available, AIR, EARTH, GT-Line, and GT-Line Plus, with a choice of the 42.2 kWh battery or a larger 61kWh battery. Kia Ireland tell me that the model that is generating most interest is the middle of the range EARTH model with the long range 61kWh battery and so that is the car I am road testing here.

First Impressions

The EV2 shares the boxy styling of its larger stablemates such as the EV3 and EV5 but somehow those angular lines suit the larger cars better. Opinions were divided amongst my onlookers some liked it others thought it way too boxy looking. In my opinion it lacks some of the chic character of say the Renault 4 e-tech or the cheeky good looks the Nissan Micra.

What’s it like inside?

The cabin is bright and airy and certainly give an initial impression of being both roomy and well laid out.

Kia’s digital dash is one of the better ones on the market and consist of two 12.3 inch screens which blend to look as one. There is a smaller 5.3 inch display for heating and ventilation which is part of the two larger displays. The only problem I found with its location was that the rim of the steering wheel obscures your view of that section so you cannot see the display for heating and ventilation from the drivers seat. Other than that everything is just where you need it. Kia have definitely thought through the ergonomics of the cabin very well indeed. There are a row of real buttons for the climate control and volume as well as a separate set of buttons on the centre armrest for activation of the Auto Hold, Camera and park distance warning off button.

There is plenty of storage space, with large door bins, a huge centre console storage area, plenty of USB-C ports up front and one in each backrest of the two front seats.

Ideal for rear seat passengers.

Leg and headroom up front is excellent. The rear is best described as compact for adults. I was able to sit behind my own driving position, but my knees were touching the hard backrest of the drivers seat. Its adequate for short distances for most adults and perfect for the kids. Standard equipment in the EARTH model is comprehensive

and too numerous to list here but suffice to say you will want for nothing.

The boot holds 362 litres (in practice about one large family sized suitcase and some small soft bags) and there is a frunk under the bonnet where you can store small items. It holds about 15 litres.

What’s under the bonnet?

With a 61kWh battery and electric motor powering the front wheels the new EV2 performs quite well for a small urban type car. Your not going to set the world alight in terms of performance but for most buying this type of car that will not matter. Of more interest is range and efficiency. Over some 500km of varied traffic and road conditions I achieved a real world range of 350km, a bit short of the claimed 439km but this is no different to any other EV I have ever tested. None do the claimed WLTP ranges quoted! I find you can easily take 20% off the quoted range of most EVs to get close to a real world achievable range. Average electric consumption over my test was 17.1kWh per 100km. Road tax is just €120.00 per year.

How does it drive?

Like most EVs it is smooth and quiet. Road wind and tyre noise are generally well suppressed. The ride and handling is equally accomplished. There is a bit of body roll in tight cornering but its all within acceptable limits. The driving position is very good offering excellent visibility while the square shape of the car has the advantage that the driver can see the leading edge of the bonnet which makes negotiating tight parking spaces and multi story car parks a doddle.

Hugh’s Verdict.

The new EV2 is a very well rounded package with the range priced from €28,660.

I think the sweet spot of the range is indeed the long range EARTH model tested here.

However you do have to pay an almost €1,900 premium for this version over the AIR with the same battery. So the additional specification needs to be a priority to justify this premium. The Kia is also slightly dearer than its direct rivals but does offer a slightly longer range.

In summary then it scores highly as an all round package and gets my “recommended” verdict.

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