Kia’s sixth purpose-built EV promises maximum range, minimal footprint, and premium in-cabin features
Kia has officially launched the EV2 at the Brussels Motor Show 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the automotive industry’s shift toward affordable, practical electric mobility. This is not just another compact EV—it’s Kia’s answer to democratising electric vehicles while maintaining the premium experience that buyers increasingly expect.
Compact dimensions, maximum capability
The EV2 measures just 4,060 millimetres (13.3 feet) in length, 1,800 millimetres in width, and 1,575 millimetres in height, making it ideal for urban drivers navigating tight parking spaces and congested streets. Yet within this nimble frame lies a 61.0-kWh battery pack that delivers an impressive 448 kilometres (278 miles) of driving range on the WLTP cycle, making it one of the most range-efficient compact EVs on the market.
The long-range EV2 GT-Line variant features exclusive styling cues, including a dedicated bumper with body-colour garnish, 19-inch wheels, and black high-gloss door-frame mouldings that give it a more premium stance than its footprint suggests.
Charging that fits modern lifestyles
One of the EV2’s standout features is its 30-minute 10–80% fast-charging capability, enabling drivers to grab a full day’s worth of range during a quick coffee break. The vehicle also supports both 11-kilowatt and 22-kilowatt AC charging options and offers Plug and Charge functionality, which enables automatic authentication and payment, thereby removing friction from the charging experience.
Kia’s integrated “EV Route Planner” takes the guesswork out of longer journeys by automatically plotting routes that include optimised charging stops, addressing one of the primary anxieties consumers still have about electric vehicles.
Space where you need it most
Despite its compact exterior, the EV2 surprises with interior versatility that challenges much larger vehicles. The second row can slide to expand rear legroom from 885 millimetres to up to 958 millimetres, offering genuine four-adult comfort. Headroom reaches 973 millimetres with a reclining function, while cargo capacity expands from 362 litres to 1,201 litres with the rear seats folded.
A particularly clever touch is the 15-litre frunk (front trunk), claimed as a first in its class, plus a 1,094-millimetre-wide trunk opening—practical features that reflect Kia’s attention to real-world usability. The column-type shift-by-wire selector frees up valuable floor console storage, another smart space-saving design decision.
Technology meets entertainment
Kia has equipped the EV2 with an impressive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision-avoidance assist, Lane Keeping Assist 2, Highway Driving Assist 2, and remote smart parking assist. An in-cabin monitoring unit (ICMU) with a rearview-mirror camera tracks driver attentiveness in real time and integrates with occupant-protection systems like airbags and seatbelts.
Where the EV2 truly shines is in personalisation: the infotainment system supports themed display packs from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, and National Geographic—purchasable or subscribable through the Kia Connect Store. Other features include a Kia AI assistant, over-the-air software updates, Digital Key 2, vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, and a “pet mode” for travelling with companion animals.
An optional Harman Kardon premium sound system elevates the audio experience for this segment.
Market implications
According to Kia CEO Song Ho-sung, the EV2 represents a turning point: “EV2 is the most compact dedicated electric vehicle in Kia’s lineup, yet it offers the most vivid in-cabin experience and an emotional design. With class-defying space and a differentiated user experience, it will lead the popularisation of electric vehicles.”
This positioning is strategic. As the EV market matures, success will increasingly depend not on raw specs, but on delivering emotional appeal and practical features at accessible price points. The EV2 achieves that balance, making it a strong contender in the fiercely competitive global compact EV segment.
The Brussels Motor Show reveal signals Kia’s confidence in a vehicle designed to convert hesitant buyers into EV adopters—proving that you don’t need a large vehicle to have a large experience.
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