Kia has officially revealed the EV2, its new entry-level B-segment electric vehicle (EV) SUV. Pricing is still under wraps, but the Kia EV2 aims to broaden access to Kia’s EV lineup while providing more range than rivals like the BYD Atto 2 — targeting European buyers in the process.
Unveiled at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, the Kia EV2 is built on a 400-volt variant of the company’s E-GMP platform. Measuring 4,060mm in length, 1,800mm in width, 1,575mm in height, and riding on a 2,565mm wheelbase, the EV2 is noticeably smaller than the BYD Atto 2, and is instead closer in size to models such as the Proton eMAS 5 (stylised as e.MAS 5) and the Dongfeng Box EV.
The Kia EV2, of course, adopts the brand’s latest Opposites United design philosophy. Here on the EV2, Kia says this design combines its “compact footprint with confident proportions” — probably why it seemingly looks larger than it is.
Just like many of its larger SUV siblings, it adopts a boxier design with squared-off side fenders, and a claw-like daytime-running light signature with a split headlight design. While it does not have a front grille, Kia’s signature Tiger Nose look still shows with the slight indents on the frontal element of the car.
Down the sides, the Kia EV2 comes with wheels sized from 16 to 19 inches in diameter. The squared-off wheel arches and chunky side cladding, finished in a brushed-metal look, give the car a more rugged, crossover-like stance.
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Things get more interesting at the rear, where the LED light clusters are mounted unusually low and close to the bumper. While not technically part of the bumper itself, the way the lower trims flow into the lamps makes it look as though the EV2 is missing a conventional set of high-mounted taillights.
Moving inside, Kia says the interior design philosophy was inspired by a “Picnic Box”, aiming to maximise comfort and usability in urban driving despite the EV2’s compact footprint. The dashboard features a panoramic dual 12.3-inch display setup for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, complemented by a separate 5-inch climate control panel with physical buttons for easier operation.
To keep things light and airy, the cabin is trimmed predominantly in fabric and paired with ambient lighting that synchronises with the turn signals. The EV2 also adopts a column-mounted shift-by-wire gear selector, freeing up space in the centre console for additional storage.
Practicality is also addressed at the rear, where the Kia EV2 comes with sliding second-row seats. With the seats poisitioned fully rearward, rear passengers get up to 958 mm of legroom, while sliding them forward frees up to 403 litres of boot space.
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For added convenience and comfort, the Kia EV2 can be specified with a premium Harman Kardon sound system, Pet Mode, and a 100-watt USB-C charging port that offers proper fast charging for compatible phones — instead of the usual “fast” wireless pads that mostly just warm up your device. The infotainment system also supports Kia AI Assistant, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and Digital Key 2 for smartphone and smartwatch access.
Powering the Kia EV2 is a front-mounted electric motor, though output figures have yet to be announced. The model will be offered in two variants — Standard Range and Long Range — fitted with a 42.2 kWh and 61 kWh battery respectively, delivering an estimated WLTP range of up to 317 km and 448 km, respectively.
While DC fast-charging figures have not been fully disclosed, Kia claims the EV2 can recharge from 10-80% in 29 minutes for the Standard Range model and 30 minutes for the Long Range variant. It will also support up to 22 kW AC charging, allowing a full charge in as little as 2 hours and 35 minutes.
In Europe, the EV2 will further be offered with charging-related features such as EV Route Planning, Plug and Charge, as well as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality.
To improve its drivability, especially in urban scenarios, the Kia EV2 is kitted with a high-output column-type electric power steering, and features an optimised steering ratio for agile manoeuvrability in tight streets. The rear sports a torsion beam axle with hydro bushings to reduce vibration and harshness over bumps.
In terms of safety and driver assistance, the EV2 is equipped with a wide suite of safety technologies aimed at supporting safer and more convenient everyday driving. These include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA 2), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic support (BCA and RCCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA 2), Smart Cruise Control 2 (SCC2), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), and Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2).
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Additional features include Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA-R), Safety Exit Warning (SEW), Parking Distance Warning with front, rear and side sensors, as well as camera-based systems such as Surround View Monitor (SVM), Rear View Monitor (RVM) and Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM). Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Hands-on Detection (HoD) are also part of the package, ensuring the driver remains engaged even when the assistance systems are active.
Alongside its Brussels Motor Show debut, Kia also unveiled additional GT models, including the EV3 GT, EV4 Hatchback GT, and EV5 GT, joining the ranks of the EV6 GT and EV9 GT. While it remains unclear whether the EV2 will arrive in Malaysia, it would be interesting to see it compete locally, especially now that Kia has a direct official presence here with its own national sales company.
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