Kia’s smallest EV is full of big surprises

It’s almost here. Kia is about to introduce its smallest, most affordable electric vehicle yet. Although the EV2 is tiny, Kia promises it will look and feel much larger both inside and out.

Kia will unveil the EV2, its smallest EV, in early 2026

We knew it was coming sometime in 2026, but now we have a better idea of when we can expect to see it for the first time.

Kia’s President and CEO Song Ho-Sung told Auto Express that the company is preparing to unveil the EV2 in early 2026. Although he didn’t reveal a specific date, Song offered a few new details we can expect to see when it arrives in production form.

The EV2 Concept was showcased during Kia’s EV Day earlier this year, a preview of the upcoming entry-level EV.

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Like Kia’s previous concepts, such as the EV3 and EV4, you can expect the EV2 to look pretty close to the one shown earlier this year.

“It is still a concept car, but a lot of it you will see,” Karim Habib, Kia’s design boss, told Auto Express, adding, “You can take the example of the EV3 or EV4, which we showed two years ago as concepts.” The EV2 will be no different. According to Habib, “the delta between production car and show car is exactly the same.”

It will debut with Kia’s new “Opposites United” design, showcased on its latest electric vehicles like the EV3, EV4, and EV5.

The new design features Kia’s signature Star Map daytime running lights (DRLs), smooth lines, and revamped front and back ends.

Like the EV9 and EV5, the EV2 has a more upright SUV-like stance, which will be carried over to the production model as recent spy shots have confirmed.

Although it’s Kia’s smallest EV to date, Song said the “interior roominess” will surprise buyers. The concept features a unique folding rear bench that Habib hinted could make its way into the production car.

The minimalist layout will remain essentially unchanged, but the rear-hinged doors won’t be offered. Well, at least, at first.

Habib said that is something Hyundai Motor Group is still “working towards,” confirming plans to apply it to future vehicles.

Kia said the EV2 will start at around 30,000 euros ($35,000) when it goes on sale in 2026, or slightly less than the EV3. We could see the production model as soon as the Brussels Motor Show in January.

The EV2 will be built at Kia’s manufacturing plant in Slovakia, specifically for the European market. After the EV2, Kia plans to launch an even smaller, more affordable EV1 as the new base model for its electric car lineup (EV1 to EV9).