The Kia EV2 is the smallest electric car yet from the Korean brand and it has just hit the Irish market priced from €28,660 - or €182 per month on a zero-per-cent car finance launch offer. Customers can choose from two different battery capacities and four well-specified trim levels.
First question: what's the range?
It depends on which battery you opt for. The standard-range battery is a 42.2kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) item enabling an official WLTP range of 317 kilometres. Upgrade to the long-range battery and the range increases to 453km on a charge thanks to a capacity of 61kWh.
Both recharge from 10-80 per cent on suitably powerful DC chargers in about 30 minutes in ideal conditions, with 11kW AC charging also possible.
Performance is linked to the battery selected. The smaller, lighter battery is combined with a 147hp electric motor for a 0-100km/h time of 8.7 seconds. The long-range model's peak power is reduced to 135hp, and the 0-100km/h time is quoted as 9.5 seconds.
Maximum torque is 250Nm in both cases and the electric motor drives the front wheels.
What do you get for your money?
The entry point to the lineup is the Kia EV2 Air with the standard-range battery, starting at €28,660 including all State incentives. It features 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel and front seats, cruise control, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and smartphone mirroring through wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It costs €3,280 more to upgrade that model to the long-range battery.
Next up is the EV2 Earth, from €30,530 with the standard-range battery or €33,810 with the long-range item. It adds 18-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, part-synthetic-leather seats, a wireless phone charging pad, Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) technology and more.
For just €1,000 more, EV2 buyers can get into the sportier looking GT-Line model at €34,810. It's only offered with the larger battery and gets unique styling inside and out. Topping the range is the GT-Line Plus variant, at €37,090.
At launch, along with the zero-per-cent finance offer (PCP or HP), buyers can avail of a free home charger and a €500 SuperValu voucher.
Have you reviewed the Kia EV2?
We have indeed. Read the detailed review here.