Can a small city EV successfully serve as the only car in a household? This is the all-new KIA EV2 – a model that tries to look like a small off-roader from a distance, but its true home is the city. In this episode, I thoroughly test the version with the base battery to see if this newcomer can challenge rivals like the Citroen eC3 or the BYD Dolphin Surf.
The KIA EV2 surprises with a highly mature cockpit, a completely flat rear floor, and a clever 15-litre "frunk" under the bonnet for charging cables. However, alongside clear advantages and very nimble road manners, the engineers in Korea made a few design missteps – from oddly designed exterior door handles to overly intrusive driver assistance systems. Do the manufacturer's catalog promises hold up in reality? Let's find out!
In this video:
Frunk & Dimensions: Why designing an EV from scratch should always result in a front boot, and how the EV2 handles tight parking spaces.
Space & Practicality: An analysis of the boot capacity (ranging from 321 to 403 litres) and how much legroom and headroom the rear bench actually offers.
An EV9-style Cockpit: Three displays on the dashboard, physical buttons for the climate control, and ergonomic details that make getting in and out easier.
The Smart Way to Public Charge: How an optional 22 kW on-board charger can change your approach to charging while visiting the cinema or shopping.
Driving Impressions & Performance: Real 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration measurements (is it faster than officially claimed?) and the behavior of the i-Pedal mode.
Constant Beeping: Which safety features (ADAS) can exhaust the driver and how to deal with the driver attention monitoring camera.
Pricing & Catchy Trims: How much the tested Earth version costs, the price of the optional heat pump, and which catalog variants are still a long wait away.
Let me know in the comments if you are ready for downsizing and if a city-sized EV could become your one and only car!
↔ KIA EV2 dimensions:
✔ length: 4060 mm
✔ width: 1800 mm
✔ height: 1575 mm
✔ wheelbase: 2565 mm
✔ boot/trunk: 403-1201 L + 15L frunk
? KIA EV2 Air starting price: 26 600 euro
? KIA EV2 Earth 42.2 kWh price as tested: 32 080 euro
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? Also watch:
BYD Dolphin Surf https://youtu.be/VO_YdaRLDh0
Citroen eC3 https://youtu.be/t3hyDZtGcxE
MINI Aceman https://youtu.be/wfJ3togvM0U
Renault 5 E-Tech https://youtu.be/sqHJVqYZZQY
#MarekDrivesENG #KIA #EV2 #KIAEV2 #ElectricCars #EV #CarReview #Automotive2026
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?Transparency note: ?
Marek Drives reviews are independent and based on personal experience with cars provided by car manufacturers for media to review. No carmaker has any influence on what is being said in the review, nor are they given a preview. No carmaker pays me to do these reviews. My sponsors are you - the viewers, Channel Members, and occasional non-carmaker entities, whose sponsorship is always clearly marked.
Chapters:
0:00 intro
0:23 frunk
0:46 design
1:34 dimensions
1:59 boot
2:54 door handles
3:29 rear seat
4:13 cockpit
5:55 range
6:45 charging
8:08 performance
8:25 driving impressions
11:05 pricing
11:45 conclusion