Kia EV2, the small-sized electric SUV. Here's what it looks like, what it offers and how it goes

Towards the summer, the long range will also arrive with a 136 horsepower powertrain, again with 250 Nm torque, powered instead by a 61 kWh Lfp battery, which gives a maximum range of up to 453 kilometres. It too reaches 161 km/h, but gets to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds and consumes an average of 16.3 kWh/100 km.

The batteries can be fully recharged with the 11 kW alternating current in four hours in the case of the standard range and in five and a half hours in the case of the long range, but on request the EV2 also offers the 22 kW charger, making its Kia debut. On the other hand, with the 350 kW direct current a top-up of 10 to 80 per cent is done in half an hour in both cases.

The EV2 also offers many state-of-the-art technologies starting with Adas for advanced level 2 semi-assisted driving from the Light version, the heat pump which is standard from the third trim level, the 3.0 release of the i-Pedal and, unique to fral and compact cars, remote parking. The E-GMP architecture also supports the possible presence of systems to share electricity with devices and the home network.

In addition, it is the brand's first model with a rear-view mirror-integrated cockpit monitoring system that monitors driver attention and passenger position in real time to support advanced safety features, according to the latest Euro NCAP protocols, to limit adverse consequences in the event of airbag deployment.

Aesthetically, the EV2 presents itself with a line that traces, obviously on a smaller scale, those of the larger EV3 and EV9 suvs. However, dimensions, body proportions and the ratio of glass and sheet metal surfaces together with specific styling cues, such as the light signatures and the sides strengthened by muscularity in the wheel arch area that accentuate the SUV personality, make the EV2 very recognisable. The outfit is complemented by more pronounced body perimeter protection on the top version and, depending on the equipment, specially designed wheels.

The cabin is furnished in a minimalist but non-essential style inspired by that of other Kia electric cars, but which also introduces innovations that raise the ergonomic bar. The environment offers a good amount of space even for those sitting in the rear, is littered with storage and USB and USB-C sockets and is well digitised, but not at the expense of ergonomics. A feature that in the EV2 is also supported by the practical keypad in the centre of the dashboard for climate control that, in this case, takes the place of the touch panel that on other Kia cars houses the controls for switching the climate controls, for example, with the main hi-fi controls that, instead, on the EV2 are always in view. The only exception is the start button, because it is embedded in the gear lever located to the right of the steering wheel column. There are, however, plenty of switches within easy reach along with the infotainment shortcuts. The latter is based on Android Automotive and also integrates connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice assistant with Ai, the Ota protocol for updating the car's software and Kia Connect functions. The system has a 12.3" display like that of the instrumentation to which it is connected via the 5" monochrome air conditioning display, present from the second trim level, to form the widescreen resting on the linear dashboard.

The EV2's loading possibilities are within the industry average, as the boot capacity ranges from 362 to 1,200 litres. In addition, there is also a front frunk useful more for storing charging cables.

Kia's focus on a model destined for an ever-growing and increasingly crowded sector in Europe is evidenced by the fact that the EV2 was designed and tuned in the Old Continent to meet the habits and expectations of its drivers. In our brief test on the streets of Lisbon and the surrounding area, we tested the standard range EV2. It has a lively temperament even with the Eco car configuration, and displays effective flow management both by setting the steps with the steering wheel paddles and by activating the One Pedal function, which acts with determination but gradually. Dynamically, the European set-up is highlighted even more than by the EV2's reliable behaviour and the attunement with which it responds to steering commands, which translates into linear driveability between bends and little fatigue in traffic, by the level of comfort. In fact, the set-up balances rigorous and agile behaviour with the absorption of road bumps, and the cabin is soundproofed very effectively indeed. In fact, to prevent the absence of the roar of an internal combustion engine from filtering out external and tyre-rolling noise, there are sound-absorbing materials under the bonnet lid, the front frunk as well as in the passenger compartment carpet and in the wheel arches. In addition, the windscreen is soundproof. Added to this equipment on the top-of-the-range EV2 are soundproof side windows and tyres with special characteristics and sound-absorbing sponges inside.

The standard range version, which is offered in the Light trim at 26,600 euro, a figure that drops to 24,000 euro at launch, has a cabin approved for four people and steel instead of alloy wheels but already offers full LED headlights, automatic climate control and maxidisplay. The Air that costs 30,000 euros with a five-seater interior adds, among other things, bi-zone climate and navigation with route planner. The Earth available for both the standard EV2 and long range at prices of 34,000 and 38,000 euros adds, heat pump, 18" alloy wheels instead of 16", heated steering wheel and front seats with electrically adjustable driver's seat and Harman Kardon hi-fi system. The €41,000 GT-line reserved for the EV2 long range offers cer

19-inch alloy wheels, front seat ventilation, digital key, wireless charging for smartphones and a function for transferring power to external devices.