Whenever’s upcoming compact electric SUV, the EV2, has been spotted testing in South Korea, offering a glimpse at what appears to be a near-production unit of the model. First revealed as a concept in February 2025, the EV2 will make its global debut in 2026 and will sit as the entry-level offering in Kia’s all-electric EV lineup, positioned below the EV3.
Also Read: Kia Concept EV2 SUV Previews Subcompact Electric SUV Due In 2026
The EV2 continues with Kia’s current design philosophy, known as ‘Opposites United’, and carries forward the familiar exterior design seen in models like the EV5 and EV9. It showcases a boxy, upright stance, and several design elements are evident despite being camouflaged. These include a split headlamp setup featuring vertically stacked LED daytime running lights, similar to its concept model. Moreover, expect it to get a closed-off interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille.
At the rear, the test mule gets L-shaped taillights positioned low on the tailgate, resembling the concept version. The tailgate itself appears to have a monolithic design, with a curved rear windshield and a roof-mounted spoiler contributing to the overall form. Overall, the design appears to be close to production-ready, especially given Kia’s history of bringing concept cues to production cars with minimal changes.
Also Read: Kia Carens Range Now Limited To Single Variant With Manual Gearbox
The interior wasn’t visible in the latest spy images. However, it is expected to feature a cabin layout similar to other models in the EV lineup. Kia has previously mentioned that the concept version of the EV2 supports vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, along with connected car technologies and support for over-the-air updates. Whether these features make it to the final production model remains to be seen.
Kia is expected to reveal the full specifications of the EV2 by the end of this year, including its dimensions, battery options, range, features, and more.
