Kia Unveils EV2 Concept: A Budget Electric SUV
Kia has revealed its EV2 concept, offering a glimpse into a new, affordable all-electric SUV. The concept was showcased at the company’s 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain, and is slated to arrive in the UK market in the first half of 2026.
Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song stated that the new SUV is expected to be priced around €30,000 (£25,000).
The EV2 is entering a competitive market, with several other budget-friendly EVs planned for the European market. The Volkswagen ID. 2 is expected to launch soon, joining competitors like the Fiat Grande Panda, Citroen e-C3, and the electric Vauxhall Frontera – all priced under £25,000.
Despite some automakers slowing their EV plans, Ho Sung Song emphasized Kia’s “unwavering commitment to its sustainable mobility provisions, making our EV line up accessible for the early majority.”
While the Kia EV2 Concept is currently a design exercise, it’s expected that the production version will offer a couple of battery options with ranges between 200 and 250 miles. This range is designed to be suitable for urban environments.
The concept features a number of innovative design elements, including a fold-up rear seat and sliding front bench, along with removable cushions and speakers that can be used outside the car.
Kia’s design director, Karim Habib, confirmed that the production EV2 would closely resemble the concept car, in line with the company’s approach for previous models. “In terms of the relationship between production car and concept car, it’s exactly the same as what you’ve seen between EV3 concept and EV3 production or EV4 concept and production,” Habib stated. “This might be our smallest EV, but it’s got the biggest personality.”
Although the EV2’s butterfly doors might not make it to production, the stylish, boxy design, distinctive ‘star map’ LED front lights, a sustainable interior, and various tech features are expected to be retained. These features may incorporate the ability to display text messages through the windows, vehicle-to-load capability, and over-the-air updates.
Habib elaborated on the innovative interior design: “We really had the inspiration of this idea of ‘picnic in the city’. We’ve been doing different versions of how to enjoy your vehicle when it’s not moving. The idea of the sliding seat was that you can fold the rear seat and slide back the front seat so you can, in a small car like that, extend your legs to rest. Or the idea that you can remove the cushions and use them for your picnic. These are things we’re doing with the concept car, but on the production car we’re trying to find ways to make these little usability moments more accessible, more pleasant.”
The production version of the Kia EV2 may be revealed later this year, with sales anticipated to begin in 2026.
