Kia is pressing ahead with its electric product onslaught by looking into the near future of an entry-level model. The EV2 concept gives us a taste of next year’s production model coming to Europe and other regions of the world the company isn’t willing to specify just yet. It’s somewhere between a boxy hatchback and a tiny crossover with short overhangs and plenty of plastic body cladding.
The petite EV has dual claw-like headlights and vertical taillights pushed to the sides. Since it’s a concept, Kia took the liberty of removing the B-pillars and installing rear-hinged doors to make getting in and out of the EV2 easier. However, it’s safe to assume the road-going model due in 2026 will have a traditional layout and conventional door handles.
Photo by: Kia
In typical concept fashion, the EV2 embraces minimalism on the inside. However, the South Korean brand is unlikely to simplify the dashboard this much on the production version. Kia and Hyundai are among the few remaining automakers that insist on installing physical controls inside their cars, even on their futuristic-looking EVs. That dual-screen setup has become the norm among recent Kias, while the single-spoke, octagonal steering wheel lets the driver easily see the instrument cluster.
One party trick we’d love to see on the production model is the ability to fold up the rear seats to make room for the front seats, which slide back on rails. Kia also included triangular speakers that can be removed and used as portable speakers. Other neat features include pop-up sliding luggage dividers, a completely flat floor, and a panoramic glass roof.
Kia isn’t willing to talk about the technical specifications just yet since this is just a design reveal. However, logic tells us that it’s smaller than the EV3. The subcompact electric crossover is 169.3 inches (4300 millimeters) long, 72.8 inches (1850 millimeters) wide, and 61.4 inches (1560 millimeters) tall, with a wheelbase of 105.5 inches (2680 millimeters). But while the EV3 is coming to North America, we wouldn’t hold our breath for the EV2 to be sold on this side of the pond.
Since Kia decided to call it the EV2, we wonder whether an even smaller EV1 is planned as an electric successor to the Picanto city car. Kia says the EV2 is a B-segment model, so there’s definitely room in the lineup to slot a cheaper EV below.
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Alex Goy / InsideEVs
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