The electric small/compact SUV is one of the most popular car types on the market. Families love the combination of handy size for getting around (especially in urban areas), while younger drivers like the difference of SUV over traditional saloon or hatch.
And up to now Kia hasn’t had a car to cater for the upsurge in demand in the segment. But now it has. And with the EV2 Kia continues its expansion of models into the Irish market. This is its smallest electric vehicle to date.
Designed, engineered and produced in Europe, the EV2 has just gone on sale here with a starting price from €28,660.
Critically, there is a choice of battery size: 42.2kWh for the standard range model which is likely to be popular for urban drivers; and 61kWh for those who need to travel quite a bit longer on a regular basis.
Kia claims you can get a whopping 453km between charges but that is very much down to a lot of factors (and a few prayers). Still, it is a lot for a car of its size and segment. At the lower end is a range claim of 317km.
The brand also says that technologies you’d expect to find in larger cars are standard in the new EV2. It comes on the Irish market as a five-seater.
The South Korean brand will, as already mentioned, be expecting to cash in on the popularity of these small EVs and vie for buyers with the likes of the Renault 5, Jeep Avenger, Peugeot E-208, Renault 4 and the Opel Corsa Electric to name just a few.
The figures are extraordinary: the B-SUV segment as it is called, is expanding by 37 per cent year-on -year. It is built of Kia’s electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and powered by a single front-mounted electric motor.
The standard-range battery pack has an electric motor which generates 107.5kW (144bhp) through the front wheels.
The long-range battery pack, has a slightly detuned front motor, aimed at getting as much out of efficient driving as possible. So you get 99.5kW (133bhp) through the front wheels..
With everything taken into account, Kia claims EV usage is close to matching internal combustion engine (ICE) levels now. Both batteries have a 400v architecture. DC fast charging goes from 10 per cent to 80 per cent and takes around 29 minutes for the standard-range model and a minute longer 30 minutes for the long-range version.
The car is very much designed along Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design formula. Like the huge EV9 and mid-size EV5 it has a blunt and boxy exterior. Of course, it’s a lot smaller than the two stablemates; yet there is no doubt about what it is – a small Kia SUV.
The strong-lined design and shape are helpful in practical ways too: the boot extends to 362-litres. Inside is slotted the latest triple-screen connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system. This dominates the dash with three distinct screens. There is a 12.3-inch driver cluster, 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 5.3-inch climate control display.
A streamlined version of the infotainment system (designed for essential connectivity) is introduced. Called ccNC Lite it mirrors the layout and core workings of the standard ccNC at a lower price point. Both systems support over-the-air (OTA) updates and Kia upgrades.
Included in the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is blind-spot collision avoidance, lane keep assist and front collision avoidance assist 2.0 – standard on all models.
Handling and ride are, we’re told, tuned especially for European roads. Kia has also worked on suspension and damping to balance front-to-rear axle responses.
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) elements reflect European driving conditions too, it says, and include dedicated carpets, wheelhouse absorbers and specific tyres – to reduce road noise.
Other attempts to curb NVH include acoustic laminated door glass (on GT-Line models), while windscreen glass reduces wind intrusion at motorway speeds. Sound dampening components are also applied to the inner dash, frunk (front trunk), suspension and the underbody cover.
There are four trim levels: Air, Earth, GT-Line and GT-Line Plus.
The Air and Earth models have a choice of 42.2kWh or a 61kWh battery. The GT-Line and GT-Line Plus only have the long range battery.
Air models include dual-zone climate control, 16-inch alloys, heated front seats/steering wheel, the dual 12.3-inch panoramic infotainment display, over-the-air updates, wireless carplay/android auto and smart cruise control.
Earth models add 18-inch alloys, privacy glass, interior ambient lighting, partial vegan leather seats and a wireless charging pad.
GT-Line models add specific GT-Line interior and exterior styling cues along with electric/adjustable driver’s seat and full vegan leather seats.
The range topping GT-Line Plus adds a sunroof, Hardon Kardon premium sound system and highway driving assist 2. Vehicle-2 Load functionality comes as standard to Earth, GT-Line and GT-Line Plus long-range battery versions.
Pricing starts from €28,660, as already mentioned, for the EV2 Air model; €31,940 for the long-range battery version. Earth costs from €30,530 or €33,810 for the 61 kWh model. The GT-Line models, standard with the long range 61 kWh battery, start at €34,810 and €37,090 for GT-Line Plus.
