Kia is gearing up to launch its smallest, most affordable EV yet. Despite its small size, Kia promises the EV2 has “a big personality” with its latest tech, features, and sleek new design. Here’s our first look at the Kia EV2 after it was spotted in public testing for the first time.

Kia EV2 spotted testing in Korea for the first time

The EV2 is Kia’s upcoming entry-level electric SUV, slated to sit below the EV3. We got our first look at it last month after Kia unveiled the EV2 concept, a preview of the upcoming production model.

It was showcased alongside the EV4 and PV5 as part of Kia’s rapidly expanding EV lineup. Kia wants to offer “EVs for all,” with prices ranging from under $30,000 to upwards of $80,000.

According to Kia, the EV2 is designed to make “electric vehicles truly accessible for everyone.” It features the brand’s updated styling, including its signature vertical daytime running lights (DRLs) and Star Map lightning.

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Although it’s Kia’s smallest electric SUV, the EV2s upright stance, wide wheel arches, and rugged bumpers give it a more premium feel, almost like the three-row EV9.

Kia didn’t stop here. With folding second-row seats, you can slide the front seat back as far as possible, providing a comfortable space when parked. Kia says it’s enough to stretch your legs or even “sit on the vehicle’s flat floor to enjoy a meal.”

The entry-level electric SUV will be loaded with advanced software, connectivity, and other tech, including vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities to power up electronics or home appliances. With OTA updates, the EV2 will only get smarter and more functional over time.

Ahead of its official launch, the compact electric SUV was spotted in Korea on the road testing for the first time. The video from HealerTV gives us our closest look at the EV2 as it nears production.

Like its other EV concepts, the EV2 will look almost identical to the concept when it arrives in production form. From the side, it almost looks like the Kia Soul with a boxy silhouette. Despite the camouflage, the rear gives the same impression with similar proportions to the concept.

The EV2 will also likely include Kia’s new ccNC infotainment system, which features dual 12.3″ driver display and navigation screens.

Kia plans to launch the EV2 in Europe “and other regions” in 2026. Although prices and specs will be revealed closer to launch, the electric SUV, based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, is expected to feature at least 300 miles (605 km) WLTP range.

Kia’s CEO told Autocar it aims to launch the EV2 at around £25,000 ($32,000) in the UK. However, that was in 2023. With battery advancements and more, prices could be even lower now.

A new report states that Austria-based contract manufacturer Magna Steyr is on the cusp of securing two new customers in XPeng Motors and GAC Motor Co. As a result of the reported deal, those Chinese automakers would have an avenue around additional tariffs on imports imposed by the EU, while Magna Steyr gains some much-needed EV manufacturing on its Austrian assembly lines.

Magna Steyr is an automotive contract manufacturer based in Graz, Austria that operates as a subsidiary of Magna International. The business across the pond is known for manufacturing the G-Class for Mercedes-Benz and the Jaguar I-Pace and briefly built the Fisker Ocean SUVs before the American automaker halted production following a filing in Austria equivalent to bankruptcy.

After losing Fisker and Jaguar as clients, Magna adjusted its annual output targets and has been looking to fill those vacated assembly lines since. In 2023, we reported that Magna Steyr signed on to design and build off-road EVs for INEOS, but not until 2026.

As we pointed out last year, another viable option would be to take on the builds for Chinese EV automakers, especially as local production practices can help avoid tariffs imposed by the European Union following a probe last year.

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In May 2024, we reported comments from Magna Steyr’s president confirming that all Chinese automakers selling EVs in Europe had been in touch with the contract manufacturer and that those local production discussions were ongoing.

Magna Steyr now appears close to finalizing contracts with at least two Chinese EV automakers – XPeng Motors and GAC Motor Group to build their respective models in Austria for EU customers.

Magna may confirm Chinese EV contracts as early as June

According to a report from Graz-based media outlet Kleine Zeitung last week, Magna Steyr is close to finalizing agreements with both XPeng and GAC to build Chinese EVs in Austria. The report states that the manufacturing process will include a Semi-Knocked-Down (SKD) process, in which pre-fabricated components will be imported from China into Austria before being assembled locally.

While this is welcomed news for Magna Steyr, the contracts from the Chinese EV automakers may not necessarily be a saving grace to get its Graz plant humming at full capacity. The new clients only intend to invest a minimal amount in a small number of initial EV assemblies to test markets in Europe.

Simultaneously, contracting EV assembly to Austria offers the Chinese companies a break from some additional tariffs imposed by the EU last October. This follows a probe that determined several of those marques received unfair subsidies from the Chinese government to expand their global footprints. In the case of XPeng and GAC Motor, they would be looking at additional tariffs of 20.7% if they exported their vehicles directly from China into the EU.

Through this strategy, XPeng already has a market presence in several regions of Europe, hence why it is likely exploring more cost-savvy logistical options while it continues to try to carve its own piece of the market with European consumers.

According to the report, the contracts with the Chinese automakers could be finalized as early as June, although Magna Steyr has not confirmed such talks publicly yet.

Honda and Acura have confirmed that their electric vehicle owners in North America will gain access to Tesla Superchargers in June.

In January, Honda indicated it was working with Tesla to onboard its EVs on the Supercharger network soon.

Today, the Japanese automaker confirmed that its EV owners, more specifically, Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX owners, will gain access to “more than 20,000 selected Tesla Superchargers across the United States starting in June 2025.”

That’s a more precise timeline than previously announced.

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Honda also confirmed that it will offer its own ” Honda-approved NACS-CCS DC fast-charging adapter”, which will be available to purchase close to June at Honda an Acura dealerships.

Ryan Harty, assistant vice president of Sustainability & Business Development at American Honda Motor, commented on the news:

“Adding Tesla Supercharger network access to the charging networks already available to our EV customers means industry-leading fast-charging access for Honda and Acura EV drivers. By the end of this decade, we strive to provide Honda and Acura EV drivers with the most convenient and easy charging at more than 100,000 charge points nationwide, helping people choose to purchase an EV for the many benefits of driving one.”

Tesla’s Supercharger network consistently ranks at the most reliable fast-charging network in North America – on top of being the most extensive.

The automaker started to open up the network to other automakers after the Biden administration announced billions of dollars in funding for charging stations if they were available to electric vehicles from one or more automakers.

Here’s a list of automakers that have access to the Supercharger network:

• Ford
• Rivian
• General Motors (GM)
• Volvo
• Polestar
• Nissan
• Lucid
• Mercedes-Benz

Tesla also has a list of “coming soon”:

• BMW
• Genesis
• Hyundai
• JLR
• Kia

Now, we can add Honda and Acura to the list.