Kia's Adorable EV2: The Electric SUV with a Clever Sliding Front Seat

• The Kia Concept EV9 offers a glimpse of an upcoming production vehicle that might be too compact for sale in our market.
• The EV2 boasts a bulldog-like look, characterized by its wide-set shoulders, short overhangs, and an assertive yet endearingly cute face.
• Inside, clever features are plentiful, including a sliding front bench seat, portable speakers, and text messages that can be shown via the windows.

Even though its name seems oddly put together, the Kia Concept EV9 resembles an adorable pup begging for adoption. Unfortunately, it appears we might have to sneak it past the shelter staff since this tiny electric SUV probably won’t make it stateside. Nonetheless, a manufactured model of this compact electric sport utility vehicle will hit markets abroad at some point around 2026.

The EV2 is Kia's Tiniest Ever Electric Vehicle

Consider the EV2 concept as Kia’s interpretation of this electric vehicle design. Hyundai Inster Similarly small and peculiar, this ute isn’t available in our market either. Although there’s absolutely zero details revealed regarding the EV2’s electric propulsion system, we can speculate that the final product might draw inspiration from the Inster's configuration, offering up to 113 horsepower and 108 lb-ft of torque with the bigger (ha!) 49.0-kWh battery pack. This equates to approximately 187 miles of driving range, so U.S. consumers may find themselves viewing the Inster or EV2 much as they would a new puppy caught misbehaving—endearing but impractical for daily use.

The EV2 is Kia's most compact electric vehicle, yet its design echoes that of its bigger counterparts. For instance, its vertical front light features mimic those of the forthcoming models. EV4 sedan and EV9 three-row SUV The EV2 includes what Kia calls "Star Map" lighting, essentially glowing dots on the car’s smooth frontal section. Geometric patterns visible on the windows and fender arches maintain consistency throughout. Nonetheless, several aspects set the EV2 concept apart from similar models, such as the absence of a central pillar and rear-opening back doors known as coach doors. Although these distinctive design traits may not appear in the final product, they are still impressive.

The standout feature of the Concept EV2 might just be its interior design. To get right to the point, we have an undeniable fondness for front bench seats, which means the EV2 has us emotionally invested. Another intriguing aspect is that this front bench seat comes mounted on a sliding track. This allows occupants to move it back and forth easily; they can then tuck away the rear seating area when needed, thus providing ample room either to lounge comfortably or perhaps even perch directly upon the level floor. According to Kia, such flexibility exists, although we doubt whether it would remain comfortable for multiple individuals taller than six feet.

The control panel includes a screen similar to what you'd find on tablets, making it quite common for recent Kia vehicles. Additionally, this prototype boasts a whimsical steering wheel that appears as though it had been softened under heat, much like melting plastic. We appreciate the choice of fabric used on the dashboard, reminiscent of designs seen in the BMW iX model. Below that, there’s an unusual metallic strip running across the lower part. According to Kia, the audio system within the EV2 is transportable; thus, singing along with your favorite tunes won’t confine you just to inside your vehicle walls.

An intriguing feature is the message lighting that allows individuals to showcase text messages via the windows. Nonetheless, it might be likely that "Hey, Kia, how about selling awesome things such as the EV2 in America?" would be too lengthy to accommodate.

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