Kia EV2 revealed but Australian confirmation delayed by currency pressures

The Kia EV2 used to be printed this evening at the 2026 Brussels Motor Expose because the South Korean producer’s sixth devoted battery electrical (BEV) model — and its most cost-effective, most cheap EV but for world markets.

Kia says it is focussing on bringing new customers to the emblem by strategy of the EV2 — in disclose, folks shopping their first completely electrical car.

Nonetheless the ask of whether the Slovakian-built EV2 will be launched in Australia stays unresolved resulting from forex pressures precipitated by the strength of the Euro, with the model closing “below explore for Australia” in step with a spokesperson.

Time and all as soon as more passe Australian buck is making native EV2 start less likely

“The forex is now not huge — the Euro to the Aussie buck — and that’s now not one thing you would with out direct perfect flip round,” Kia Australia overall supervisor of product planning suggested Chasing Autos closing month.

“We must quiet take into account that if EV2 comes in at the identical impress as EV3, as a worst case, it doesn’t in actuality create any logical sense in the market when you would desire a [BYD] Atto 1 or Atto 2 in the $20,000s and $30,000s.

“I deem the math are now questionable,” said Rivero in December 2025. The relative strength of the Euro to the Australian buck has persisted since April 2025.

A closing resolution will be made quickly by Kia Australia, with entry-stage versions of the EV2 slated to enter production by the tip of March 2026.

Three varied variants printed by Kia at the Brussels exhibit — excessive-powered GT versions of the EV3, EV4 and EV5 — are understood to be less inclined to reach to Australia.

Boxy styling cues aplenty for Kia’s electrical reply to the Stonic

The EV2 is supposed to slot into Kia’s shrimp SUV lineup under the EV3 (which is priced from $47,600 plus on-toll road fees in Australia) and as a BEV more than just a few to the petrol-powered Stonic (from $28,180 + ORCs).

That positioning makes sense given the EV2’s compact dimensions which measure 4060mm prolonged, 1800mm huge and 1575mm excessive on a 2565mm wheelbase, with weight anticipated to be round 1650kg.

Kia is additionally leaving room under the EV2 for a Picanto-sized EV1 hatchback.

Exterior, an up so far interpretation of Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ catch language includes Well-known particular person Map lighting first considered on the second-generation Seltos SUV, famed plastic cladding and a breadvan-like stance intended to maximise interior put.

Manufacturing interior blends skills with comforting bodily shortcuts

The cabin philosophy — dubbed “Picnic Field” — appears to be like to own resulted in one of many entry-stage BEV section’s most pleasant interiors, that contains a wraparound cloth smash pad, dual 12.3-creep infotainment monitors, and solid integration of bodily shortcuts for key controls.

Exceptional and GT-Line grades will be available with top price alternatives put to consist of a Harman-Kardon stereo, a sunroof, and 100-watt USB-C charging functionality, whereas car connectivity (including digital key, smartphone app and over-the-air updating) will be fitted.

The ccNC infotainment machine will additionally incorporate a brand new pet mode to raise animals wintry in the auto, as neatly as EV-disclose route planning with Chase & Label functionality for supported charging community billing.

Boot put is imagined to be “as a lot as” 403 litres in four-seat format, however Kia Australia would likely decide for the 5-seat model which entails a reduce price in boot skill to 362L. Kia says the EV2 has a “class-main” frunk.

Up to 448km range WLTP however middling rapid charging efficiency

We know there will be both Exceptional Fluctuate and Long Fluctuate versions of the EV2, making utilize of 42.2kWh and 61.0kWh batteries — of unknown chemistry — respectively. Kia generally quotes whole battery dimension, so usable skill is many times a splash lower.

WLTP range is imagined to be 317km for the Exceptional Fluctuate and 448km for the Long Fluctuate, whereas GT-Line — anticipated to be Long Fluctuate most effective and utilizing on 19-creep wheels — will likely present round 420km range.

Devour varied Hyundai and Kia EVs that skip the ‘fat-plump’ model of e-GMP, rapid-charging efficiency appears to be like mediocre, with a 29 to 30 minute 10-80 p.c recharging tell indicating moderate charging speeds of 59kW (Exceptional Fluctuate) or 85kW (Long Fluctuate).

More spectacular is that a 22kW onboard AC charger will be available for like a flash home or space of enterprise charging skill.

Other affordability measures consist of the utilize of a rear coupled torsion beam axle (with hydro bushings) rather than multi-link honest rear suspension, though steering must quiet support from utilize of a column-mounted motor.

EV2 would possibly perhaps perhaps supplement pretty worthwhile EV3 and EV5 in Australia

Devour the EV3 with which it shares its cheap fork of Kia’s e-GMP BEV platform, the EV2 is entrance-wheel drive however energy, torque and acceleration figures own now not but been disclosed.

Safety parts will steal in staunch lane protecting support with steering hands-on detection, forwards and reversing AEB, adaptive cruise adjust, a 360-stage camera, and blind space explore cameras.

About a of Kia’s electrical fashions had been pretty worthwhile in the Australian market and key executives lisp they were scream with the sales efficiency of the EV3 shrimp SUV and EV5 midsize SUV closing year.

That pair — which, just like the EV2, reach from the cheap fork of Kia’s BEV platform — sold 2597 and 4787 devices respectively in Australia closing year.

The contribution of the EV3 and EV5 to Kia’s whole result used to be grand bigger than the larger-tech EV6 (348 devices) and EV9 (269 devices) which the South Korean model continues to instruct as model flagships.