Given the close nature of the relationship between Hyundai and Kia, one might have expected that Kia's new smallest EV would be closer to the Hyundai Inster than it actually is.
Kia appears to have gone for more interior space, better specification and a higher price point with the EV2. In short, it’s a bigger car and moves into a different market segment.
The EV 2 comes on to the Irish market with two battery options - a 42.2 kWh one and longer range 61.0 kWh unit. While the Inster pricing begins at €20,845 for the same battery output as the Kia 42.2 kWh, Kia’s entry-level version is priced from €28,660. The longer range battery version starts at €31,940.
Kia has also thrown a lot at the EV 2 in terms of features we normally see on its bigger and more expensive offerings. There are the impressive and familiar three digital screens for various functions. The driver cluster is a 12.3" screen, and the infotainment system is the same size.
The entry-level Air version gets 16" alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. If you move up to the Earth model, you will get 18" alloys, interior ambient lighting, partial vegan leather seats, privacy glass and a wireless phone charger. The price range for the Earth model is between €30,530 and €33,810, depending on specification and battery size.
The Earth long-range version is likely to be the one attracting most attention. There are also GT-line and GT-line + versions. These only come with the longer range battery option and take you up to things like a sunroof as standard, and prices are at €34,810 and €37,090 respectively.
The output on the base model is 144 horse power, and the longer range version delivers 133 horse power as it has been fitted with a "slightly detuned front motor to maximise driving efficiency".
Forgive me for yet again drawing attention to claimed ranges for electric cars, but it is important to stress that such ranges are exactly that, and cars may not deliver what is promised in real-world conditions. It should be said, however, that both Kia and Hyundai do offer more dependable ranges than other manufacturers.
Kia claims an achievable range of 317 kilometres for the smaller battery version and 453 for the bigger one.
The EV2 also gets many of the safety features the company offers in its bigger models. There is no EuroNCAP crash test result on the car yet, but Kia has been consistent so far in its achieved ratings.
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
