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By Jonathan Crouch

Kia's smallest EV might just be its best. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the EV2.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 39

If you're looking for a small urban electric crossover, Kia's EV2 is one of those key contenders you simply have to consider. Though it might not really set any new class standards, this is a very complete package indeed.

Backgroundword count: 120

The market for small urban full electric crossovers is expanding hugely. Here's Kia's entry, the EV2. If you see it as a shrunken version of the brand successful EV3 electric family hatch, you're not far wrong, this car sharing it the same E-GMP platform and a lot of similar technology. It has to be good to take on a whole wave of VW Group new arrivals in this segment - the Skoda Epiq, the CUPRA Raval and Volkswagen's ID Cross and ID Polo. As well as established European players like the Ford Puma GEN-E and the Renault 4. So is the EV2, the smallest electric Kia yet made, good enough for a strong class showing? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 245

Kia theoretically offers two battery sizes with the EV2, but virtually all UK customers are only going to be looking at one of them. Namely the 61kWh long-range pack which offers a very class-competitive drive range figure of 281 miles. You can also choose a standard-range 42.2kWh battery pack model offering up to 197 miles, but it isn't even the cheapest variant in the line-up and we can't really see why you would. The drivetrain bolted to the E-GMP platform sees the long-range variant powered by a 133bhp front-mounted motor, which is tuned up to 144bhp for the lighter smaller-battery model. 62mph from rest in the 61kWh version needs 9.5s - it's 8.7s in the 42.2kWh model. That's on the way to the modest 100mph maximum all EV2's share. There's not much meaningful interaction to be had with the light steering, but you'll appreciate it in town, where this Kia's supple softly-orientated ride comes into its own. Rough tarmac simply doesn't bother it. On the highway, you'll appreciate the trouble the brand has gone to in order to limit road, tyre and suspension noise. There's an acoustic shield beneath the bonnet and higher-spec cars feature thicker glass and acoustic tyres. As a result, no class rival is quieter. There's a brake regen system of course - controlled by paddles behind the steering wheel, with modes including a full-on 'i-Pedal' setting which will bring the car virtually to a stop when you come off the throttle.

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