Kia's smallest EV might just be its best. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the EV2.

Ten Second Review

If you're looking for a small urban electric crossover, Kia's EV2 is one of those key contenders you simply have to consider. Though it might not really set any new class standards, this is a very complete package indeed.

Background

The market for small urban full electric crossovers is expanding hugely. Here's Kia's entry, the EV2. If you see it as a shrunken version of the brand successful EV3 electric family hatch, you're not far wrong, this car sharing it the same E-GMP platform and a lot of similar technology. It has to be good to take on a whole wave of VW Group new arrivals in this segment - the Skoda Epiq, the CUPRA Raval and Volkswagen's ID Cross and ID Polo. As well as established European players like the Ford Puma GEN-E and the Renault 4. So is the EV2, the smallest electric Kia yet made, good enough for a strong class showing? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Kia theoretically offers two battery sizes with the EV2, but virtually all UK customers are only going to be looking at one of them. Namely the 61kWh long-range pack which offers a very class-competitive drive range figure of 281 miles. You can also choose a standard-range 42.2kWh battery pack model offering up to 197 miles, but it isn't even the cheapest variant in the line-up and we can't really see why you would. The drivetrain bolted to the E-GMP platform sees the long-range variant powered by a 133bhp front-mounted motor, which is tuned up to 144bhp for the lighter smaller-battery model. 62mph from rest in the 61kWh version needs 9.5s - it's 8.7s in the 42.2kWh model. That's on the way to the modest 100mph maximum all EV2's share. There's not much meaningful interaction to be had with the light steering, but you'll appreciate it in town, where this Kia's supple softly-orientated ride comes into its own. Rough tarmac simply doesn't bother it. On the highway, you'll appreciate the trouble the brand has gone to in order to limit road, tyre and suspension noise. There's an acoustic shield beneath the bonnet and higher-spec cars feature thicker glass and acoustic tyres. As a result, no class rival is quieter. There's a brake regen system of course - controlled by paddles behind the steering wheel, with modes including a full-on 'i-Pedal' setting which will bring the car virtually to a stop when you come off the throttle.

Design and Build

The brand's chunky 'Opposites United' design language looked good on the family hatch-sized EV3 and it works even better with this smaller EV2. It's not that small actually, 4060mm long, 1800mm wide and 1575mm tall. So, slightly shorter than the company's Stonic small SUV (this EV2 model's combustion equivalent), but a little wider and lower than that car. There's a more squarical, boxy look than you get with most compact crossovers, with a bluff tailgate and a revised version of Kia's trademark 'Tiger Nose' front end. Roof rails and accentuated front, rear and side skid plates emphasise the crossover vibe. And there are big wheels of either 18 or 19-inches in size. You'd know it was a Kia inside too because there's the brand's usual bonded display of twin 12.3-inch screens (separated by middle 5.3-inch climate monitor) on top of the fabric-finished dashboard. There's a light and airy ambience and lots of sustainable materials feature - things like recycled plastics and paint with harmful elements removed. Touches you might see as either trendy or gimmicky include the smiley face on the windowsill and the 'have a nice day' marker inside the door handle cut-out. There's a welcome selection of light trimming colours. Unlike with some rival Chinese models, buttons have not been completely banished - thankfully some have been retained for the climate system; and there are quite a few on the steering wheel, which has paddles behind for the brake regen system. There's lots of cabin storage space, notably under the high centre armrest and in the big cubbies in the lower centre console area. As for rear seat space, well the compact dimensions have to tell somewhere; which isn't inevitably the case in this segment. A rival Skoda Epiq offers more rear leg space thanks to 100mm of extra body length. But the EV2's boxy shape maximises head room, even with a sunroof fitted, though folk taller than 6-foot might still struggle. It would probably feel more spacious in the back with the sliding two-seat bench Kia offers on this car in other markets. Currently there are no plans to make that available here. The more conventional three-seat bench doesn't slide and offers little room in the middle. Boot space is rated at 362-litres. But is some way off some class rivals; a Renault 4 for instance, offers 420-litres. But what's provided will probably be sufficient to the needs of most customers. Avoid base trim and you also get a tiny 15-litre 'frunk' beneath the bonnet.

Market and Model

Kia was once a budget brand maker but it isn't any more, which is why it's unlikely that many EV2s will be leaving the showrooms for under £25,000, though that is the rough starting point for the line-up. Virtually all sales here will be of the Long Range 61kWh battery - offered in 'Air', 'GT-Line' and 'GT-Line S' forms. Though the brand is offering customers the smaller 42.2kWh battery pack in a single 'First Edition' model - currently the only one in the line-up that qualifies for the £1,500 level of government Electric Car Grant. Because the EV2's design, development and manufacturing is almost all European-based, this Kia has qualified for the highest £3,750 level of government Electric Car Grant. With that saving deducted, asking prices start from £24,245 for the base 61kWh 'Air' version; it's nearly £5,000 more to get this same battery with the nicer 'GT-Line' level of spec you'll probably want. All EV2s come decently equipped, with LED headlights, black roof rails, power-folding mirrors, all-round parking sensors with a reversing camera, smart cruise control and the brand's 'Highway Driving Assist 2.0' semi-autonomous drive set-up. If you can stretch to volume 'GT-Line' trim, the 18-inch alloy wheels of the base 'Air' model will be swapped out for nicer-looking 19-inch rims, plus you get sportier exterior styling, rear privacy glass, alloy pedals, two-tone faux leather upholstery, a wireless 'phone charger and an under-bonnet 'frunk'. Disappointingly, no EV2 comes as standard with a heat pump. And the top 'GT-Line S'-spec is the only version that even allows you to pay extra for one. That plushest variant comes with a sunroof, a powered tailgate, ventilated front seats, a Digital Key entry system, a 360-degree surround view monitor, customisable ambient lighting and an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System. All EV2s get plenty of safety and drive assist kit, but you might object to all the binging and bonging from it, so try before you buy. The portfolio includes the brand's Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0 system, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning a Multi-Collision Braking System and Rear Occupant Alert.

Cost of Ownership

As with other mainstream electric Kias and all rivals in this segment, the EV2 offers 400V charging technology. The 61kWh EV2 long-range variant most will choose can charge from 10-to-80% in 30 minutes when plugged into a 150kW DC fast charger (it's 29 minutes for the 42.2kWh standard-range version). Both batteries are warmed by a clever thermally-efficient sheath heater with multiple maps for low and high temperature charges. Kia says that because this enables the battery to self-heat at temperatures down to minus-35-degrees C, charge times are significantly lowered and efficiency-killing precipitation of the battery's lithium-ion cathodes is avoided. There's also a Battery Conditioning Mode that can optimise battery temperature when heading to a fast-charging station. This can be manually activated or can work automatically linked to GPS data. What about charging at home? Well the long-range version requires 9 hours 15 minutes for a full charge when plugged into a single-phase 7.4kW wallbox; it'd be around 7 hours for the standard-range version. Obviously, if you've a three-phase 11kW wallbox, the times are much quicker. When plugged into an 11kW AC charger, the EV2 long-range can charge from 10-to-100% in 7 hours and 15 minutes (it's 5 hours and 20 minutes for the standard-range version). Every EV2 comes equipped with Kia CarPay and Plug & Charge as standard. CarPay allows drivers to locate and pay for parking through the vehicle's central infotainment screen, while Plug & Charge streamlines the charging process. When the EV2 is connected to a Plug & Charge-compatible charge station, the charging session can be activated automatically with no need to authorise via charging card or app.

Summary

This is Kia's most important electric model yet. So you might hope it would revolutionise technology in its segment, rather than simply being a shrunken EV3, which is essentially what's being served up here. Mind you, there's not much wrong with that. Don't expect much in the way of driving enjoyment at the wheel of an EV2, but Kia has prioritised the ride and refinement that urban customers will value rather more. And, for the time being anyway, range is very class competitive. Plus there's a spacious cabin and a long warranty. The Korean maker needs to work on the spec a little - make a heat pump more readily available and offer the more flexible four-person sliding rear bench you can have in other markets. But otherwise this is a very complete package. Kia has thoroughly embraced the EV revolution and ridden the crest of its wave. And continues to do so here.