Kia will soon launch the EV2, an even smaller EV model than the EV3, sharing the technical details with the Hyundai Inster electric crossover. A Kia EV2 prototype has been spotted for the first time with an air-tight black camouflage that still reveals much of the 2026 model's design.
When Kia revealed its electrification plans in October 2023, the smallest model in the lineup was the EV3, which was only available as a concept at the time. However, Kia's CEO, Ho-Sung Song, told Autocar that an even smaller electric car was on the roadmap. The Kia EV2 would launch in Europe in 2026 at about 25,000 euros ($28,000). That sounded overly optimistic at the time, but now, as the EV market changed, it's entirely possible that the Kia EV2 would be even more affordable.
The Kia EV2 will be the equivalent of the Hyundai Inster electric crossover, which is about to start sales in Europe. The Inster is projected to cost well under 25,000 euros, or it will not sell. Its main competitor is the Dacia Spring electric supermini, priced at around 17,000 euros, whereas the larger Citroen e-C3 starts at 23,300 euros. I'd say the Kia EV2 should not cost more than 24,000 euros if it wants to compete.
Our photographers have snapped a Kia EV2 prototype for the first time, revealing that it would not stray far from the Hyundai Inster's design. Kia usually tweaks the design of the vehicles it shares with Hyundai (think of the difference between the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5). Still, in this case, the cost constraints are too tight to allow experimentation.
That's why the 2026 Kia EV2 will look pretty much the same as the Inster, with a different face and badging, of course. The unique light signature will be the most important difference, and we expect this to borrow from its current EV lineup, with the Kia EV3 as its closest inspiration. Like Inster, the EV2 will bring many convenience features and gadgets to the table as its key differentiator in an increasingly crowded EV market.
Taken from the Hyundai Inster's recipe, the Kia EV2 will have two battery options, 42 kWh or 49 kWh. The former is powered by a 96-horsepower electric motor, whereas the upper trims offer more power at 113 horsepower. The range is expected to reach 355 km (220 miles) with the bigger battery and 300 km (185 miles) with the smaller pack.
The Kia EV2 is based on an older ICE platform (Hyundai-Kia K1), but it will offer bi-directional charging with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities. Despite being Kia's smallest EV model, the EV2 will bring many infotainment and driver assistance systems from the upper segments. Expect ambient lighting, a digital instrument cluster, and a comprehensive ADAS package.
After his childhood dream of becoming a "tractor operator" didn't pan out, Cristian turned to journalism, first in print and later moving to online media. His top interests are electric vehicles and new energy solutions. Full profile
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