Battery-powered Kias are about to get a whole lot cheaper following the launch of the 2026 Kia EV2 at the Brussels motor show over the weekend.
Expected to launch in Australia as soon as the second quarter of this year, the EV2 will size up to rivals like the MG4, GWM Ora and BYD Dolphin that have headline pricing of just $29,990 (before on-road costs).
It’s thought the EV2 pricing won’t sink that low, but it’s been tipped the B-segment SUV should be priced below $40,000, representing a saving over the larger EV3 ($47,600 plus ORCs).
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Boxier and more upright than an EV3, the latest Kia embraces the brand’s current brash design language and, despite its lower pricing, all models come with full-LED lighting and black roof rails.
When it comes to dimensions, the Kia EV2 measures 4060mm long and 1800mm wide with a 2565mm wheelbase and stands 1575mm.
That makes it 230mm shorter, 30mm wider and 5mm taller than a BYD Dolphin, although the Chinese EV has a longer 135mm wheelbase.
Inside, the radical styling is combined with a spacious interior that doesn’t skimp on tech and includes a fabric-wrapped dash, ambient lighting and loads of storage.
All versions also come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment that features a five-inch climate control touchscreen sandwiched between them.
A row of proper physical buttons are present that make the tech more intuitive and less distracting.
The Kia EV2 will come with just two powertrains: a version with a 42.2kWh battery that will offer a range of 317km and a bigger power pack with a 61kWh that sees the compact SUV drive up to 448km.
While the standard-range version takes 29 minutes to top up its battery from 10 to 80 per cent, the long-range takes 30 minutes. Both 11kW and 22kW AC charging will be available.
Featuring a single e-motor driving the front wheels, the standard-range EV2 produces 107kW for a 0-100km/h sprint of 8.6 seconds.
The long-range EV2, meanwhile, only produces 100kW for a 0-100km/h dash of 9.5 seconds.
Both variants have a 160km/h top speed.
A dual-motor version has already been ruled out because its variant of the Kia’s E-GMP incorporates a torsion beam rear suspension that makes it impossible to package a second motor.
In Europe the Kia EV2 is offered in entry Air, mid-spec GT-Line and a range-topping GT-Line S trim.
Air models ride on 16-inch alloy wheels, with 18s available as an option. The GT Line models bag larger 19-inch wheels and get a sportier front and rear bumper design.
All versions come with dual-climate control and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability that allows it to power small appliances, plus a vehicle-to-grip (V2G) functionality that enables it to feed power back to the grid. Expect heated seats and steering wheel to be reserved for the top versions.
For its class the EV2 comes with a large amount of luggage space and decent leg and headroom thanks to those boxy dimensions.
With a bench rear seat fitted there’s a 332-litre boot with an adjustable floor, but that capacity can be boosted by optioning a sliding row of two individual rear seats.
Tick the box and it’s possible to boost luggage carrying capacity to around 403 litres or reduce that figure to maximise legroom in the second row by sliding the pair of pews rearward.
There’s no word yet on whether the Kia EV2 has been built to deliver a five-star ANCAP rating. As standard, there’s forward collision avoidance, blind spot assist, lane keeping assistance and rear cross-traffic alert will all be available, as well as a remote park assist, adaptive cruise and 360-degree parking camera.
Kia Australia is expected to reveal more local details of the new Kia EV2 in the coming months, including pricing and what trim and powertrain combination will be offered Down Under.
