Kia’s EV2 arrives at a pivotal moment. Electric cars are no longer a novelty, but they still need to make financial sense without feeling like a punishment to live with.
The EV2 Air, tested here, makes a compelling case: from £24,245 including the £3,750 Electric Car Grant, it promises 275 miles of official range, a practical five-seat cabin and Kia’s reassuring seven-year warranty.
The EV2 is not quick by modern EV standards, but it never feels slow in the environments where it will spend most of its life. Its 133bhp front-mounted motor and 250Nm of torque deliver a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds, with acceleration that is smooth and immediate rather than dramatic. Around town, that is precisely what you want: there is no hesitation when pulling away, no gear changes to manage, and enough urge to slip confidently into gaps at roundabouts.
The Kia EV2
Kia has tuned the EV2 for European roads, and the benefits are most obvious in town. The steering is light without being vague, visibility is excellent thanks to the upright body and large glass area, and the 10.02-metre turning circle makes multi-storey car parks and tight junctions refreshingly stress-free.
The ride is similarly well judged, absorbing broken urban surfaces with suppleness.
At motorway speeds, the Air remains composed and refined. The 16-inch wheels help here, taking the edge off poor surfaces and contributing to the car’s impressive 4.08 miles per kWh official efficiency figure. It is not entirely hushed – there is some wind noise at a steady 70mph – but it is quieter and more settled than many small crossovers.
The Kia EV2 (Image: Newsquest)
Push on along a demanding B-road and the EV2 is less convincing. Body control is safe rather than sharp, and there is a degree of lean through faster corners. This is not a car for enthusiastic back-road driving, but that is not its purpose.
The regenerative braking system is a highlight: paddle-controlled modes range from gentle coasting to one-pedal i-Pedal, while an automatic setting brings the car to a complete stop in traffic.
The Air may be the entry point, but it does not feel like a stripped-out loss leader. Heated front seats and steering wheel, automatic air conditioning, LED lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a trio of screens – a 12.3-inch instrument display, 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 5.3-inch climate panel – are all standard. Physical controls for key functions are welcome in an era of menu-heavy interiors.
The cabin’s “picnic box” design theme gives it a warm, unfussy character, with grey cloth upholstery and green accents on the Air. Front occupants get a generous 1,056mm of legroom, while the flat floor and upright roofline help rear passengers too. The boot offers 362 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,201 litres when the 60:40 split rear bench is folded.
The interior of the Kia EV2
The 61.0kWh NMC battery is the EV2 Air’s party piece. Its 275-mile WLTP combined range is strong for the class, and the official city figure of 403 miles illustrates how well suited it is to urban use. On a 150kW DC charger, Kia claims a 10-80 per cent charge in 30 minutes, with a maximum charging rate of 118kW; a full 11kW AC charge takes five hours and 35 minutes.
The entry-level Air is arguably the sweet spot in the range. Its smaller 16-inch wheels help it travel furthest, while it undercuts the GT-Line by a considerable margin. Kia expects the sportier GT-Line to be the volume seller, but the Air’s blend of range, equipment and value makes it the more rational choice.
A rear view of the Kia EV2
The Kia EV2 Air is not trying to be a hot hatch, a luxury SUV or a technology showcase. Instead, it is a thoroughly sensible small electric car that is easy to drive, comfortable, well equipped and long-legged enough to make public charging an occasional inconvenience rather than a constant concern.
Its handling lacks sparkle and rear legroom is merely adequate, but those are minor complaints in a car that gets the important things right. With the Electric Car Grant bringing the price below £25,000, the EV2 Air is one of the most convincing affordable electric cars yet.
Kia EV2 ‘Air’ 61.0kWh FWD
On-the-road price: £24,245
Power: 133bhp (99.5kW) at 4,200rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,800rpm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
0-62mph: 9.5 seconds
WLTP combined range: 275 miles
WLTP city range: 403 miles
Combined consumption 4.08 miles/kWh