Electric car Kia EV2: Base model from 26,600 Euros

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There is movement in the small electric car class. Models like the Mini Cooper E, Peugeot e-208 and Renault 5 (Test) are facing increasing competition. The Hyundai Group also wants to secure its share in this segment. The Kia EV2 will have numerous options, two powertrains, and at least fairly competitive prices for the base model.

In the usual format

The EV2 is about 4.06 meters long, similar to an electric Opel Corsa (Test). Its wheelbase measures 2.57 meters. Kia offers various rear seat configurations. A customer can choose whether they want the EV2 as a five- or four-seater with a fixed rear bench or as a four-seater with sliding rear seats. The volume then ranges between 362 and 403 liters (rear bench pushed all the way forward). However, this is only available in the two most expensive trim levels – and even then, only for an additional €300. Under the front hood, there is a 15-liter compartment.

Four versions

Kia offers the compact car in four trim levels. The base Light trim can only be ordered with the small battery, while the top-of-the-line GT-Line version is only available with the large battery. Even the base model, priced from €26,600, is not sparsely equipped. Features like a rearview camera, automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are always included. The next level in the hierarchy is called Air and costs €28,990. It adds a few minor features, among which battery preconditioning seems particularly noteworthy.

The step up to the Earth variant costs €2,300 more and adds, among other things, height adjustment for the front passenger seat, an inductive charging tray for smartphones, and heated seats and steering wheel. The GT-Line primarily changes the EV2 visually and raises the price to almost €37,000.

	42.2 kWh battery	61 kWh battery
Light	26,600	-
Air	28,990	33,490
Earth	31,290	35,790
GT-Line	-	36,890

Small battery, slightly stronger motor - and vice versa

Kia offers two powertrains for this car. The base model has an LFP battery with 49 kWh and an electric motor with 108 kW. The larger NMC battery has an energy capacity of 61 kWh and is paired with an electric motor that is minimally weaker at 99.5 kW. Since this difference is very small and the curb weight is almost identical, the performance figures are also close. 8.7 or 9.5 seconds are likely secondary for the majority of EV2 interested parties. In both versions, the top speed is limited to 161 km/h.

Range

With the small battery, a range of 308 to 317 km is achieved in the WLTP cycle, and with the large one, it should be 413 to 453 km. The power consumption in the cycle is between 15.1 and 16.3 kWh. The idea of enabling AC charging at up to 22 kW is unusual. However, this is only available for the Earth and GT-Line trims and incurs significant additional costs. The 22 kW AC package for €990 is only available in conjunction with the Winter Connect package, which costs an additional €1,390. My thesis: Not many will likely afford this in this segment.

Kia only makes a concrete statement about the DC charging power for the large battery, which is 118 kW there. However, the conclusion about the average charging power is more interesting anyway. For the 61 kWh battery, it is around 85 kW, and for the 42 kWh battery, it is just under 61 kW. With both values, Kia is on par with the competition and should have good chances of securing a relevant share of this growing segment.