If you assumed Kia’s subcompact EV3 would be its smallest foray into the electric SUV segment, think again. These spy shots reveal that the Korean automaker is cooking up an even smaller EV, the Kia EV2, set for a 2026 release. This sub-compact contender is designed with the European market in mind, where space—and price—are at a premium.

Though Kia has teased details about its forthcoming model lineup, this is our first glimpse of the EV2 in the metal. The heavily camouflaged prototype could be easily mistaken for a Kia EV3 if it wasn’t for the redesigned greenhouse and the slightly smaller footprint.

More: Kia Wants A Picanto-Sized EV And Electric Stinger Successor

The EV2 manages to pull off a mini-SUV stance, thanks to its upright nose, near-vertical windshield, and boxy silhouette, capped off with roof rails that give it a touch of ruggedness. Familiar styling cues, like the vertically stacked LED headlights and blacked-out pillars, link it to the larger EV siblings—the EV3, EV5, and EV9. Interestingly, the taillights sit lower than you’d expect, though these might just be placeholder units. The prototype also rolls on smart-looking alloy wheels with a machined finish.

Inside, the modern headrests on the seats are similar to the EV3, while we can see what appears to be a digital instrument cluster. While the rest of the dashboard remains covered, a separate infotainment display seems to protrude from the center—a shift from Kia’s usual single-panel screen setup.

The Kia EV2 is expected to measure around 4,000 mm (157.5 inches) in length. That makes it longer than its Hyundai sibling, the Inster, which measures 3,825 mm (150.6 inches) and competes in the A-SUV category. However, it’s still shorter than the MINI Aceman at 4,079 mm (160.6 inches) and the Jeep Avenger at 4,084 mm (160.8 inches), both on the smaller end of the B-SUV segment. For reference, the Kia EV3 is significantly larger at 4,300 mm (169.3 inches), putting it at the upper end of the same category.

Underpinning the EV2 could be a shorter version of Kia’s E-GMP platform. Chances are that the model will be available with a single electric motor and a smaller battery pack, as it is aimed squarely at budget-conscious buyers who want electric without breaking the bank.

Kia’s CEO, Song Hu-sung, has indicated that the EV2 will aim for a price between €25,000 and €30,000 (around $27,000 to $33,000 at current exchange rates). Production is scheduled to begin in Slovakia, with the car expected in showrooms by 2026.

And the EV2 might not be the last of Kia’s mini EVs. The Korean brand is already contemplating an even tinier and cheaper EV1, which could eventually replace the Picanto as Kia’s smallest offering in Europe.

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Update 11/9: Kia’s EV4 prototype has been spotted once again, this time putting in laps on the Nürburgring as the brand continues to refine its latest electric offering. Interestingly, the hatchback version of the EV4 has also been making cameo appearances stateside, raising some interesting questions about its broader market ambitions. That said, there’s still no official word on whether the hatchback model seen here will find its way to North American showrooms. Along with fresh spy photos, we’ve gathered new details on the EV4’s interior, production plans, and expected launch timeline.

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What will it look like?

Kia has stripped away some of the bulky cladding and camouflage from its latest prototype of the EV4 compact hatch, providing us with an excellent opportunity to see the car’s production-spec bodywork in the flesh. As we’d long suspected, it looks extremely similar to the concept unveiled last year.

Oftentimes, concept cars are launched with crazy, over-the-top designs that are heavily diluted down for the road. That’s not the way Kia rolls, at least not in recent years. For example, the Kia EV9 shares most of its dramatic design with the concept that previewed it as do the smaller EV3 and EV5 SUVs. It’ll be the same with the EV4 that will be available in both hatchback and four-door sedan bodystyles, depending on the market.

More: Kia’s Affordable EV2 Small Electric SUV Spied Ahead Of 2026 Launch

The front end of this prototype scooped at the ‘Ring has a black lower grille and a set of dramatic headlights that run vertically and include bold LED daytime running lights. Viewed from the side, the EV looks almost identical to the concept and even rocks the same black and silver wheels designed to look like they’re triangular. The roofline of the road-going hatch model does appear to hit slightly higher than the concept, hence why the side windows stand a little taller.

Kia’s concept car looks continue across the rear fascia where there is a large spoiler stretching out from the roof. Interestingly, Kia is readying both sedan and hatch versions of the EV4, but only ever showcased a concept of the sedan. This means the rear fascia of this hatch prototype is much taller than the concept. Additionally, it also seems to have received a pair of bespoke taillights that’ll be different from those of the sedan version.

What about the interior?

While we haven’t yet had the opportunity to peek inside the EV4 hatchback just yet, recent spy shots of the sedan version give us a good idea of what to anticipate. The dashboard leans heavily on the playbook established by Kia’s EV3 SUV sporting a massive glass panel that flows seamlessly from the driver’s side to the far edge of the center console.

This minimalist setup houses a dual-screen system, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a matching 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Sandwiched between these displays is a compact 5.3-inch climate control screen, delivering essential HVAC data without cluttering the design.

More: 2026 Kia EV4 Spied As An Affordable, Electric Sedan

Below this floating display panel lies a control strip with a touch-sensitive interface offering shortcuts to key functions like Home, Media, and Map. Breaking up the haptic monotony is a drum-style volume control, providing at least one point of tactile interaction in an otherwise screen-heavy setup. Expect features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and likely ChatGPT-powered voice control making an appearance across the entire EV4 lineup.

What about performance and range?

Beneath all that sharp sheet metal, the Kia EV4 is expected to ride on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, the same advanced 800-volt architecture that underpins the EV3, EV6, and EV9. This distinguishes it from the EV5, which relies on the less sophisticated 400-volt N3 eK platform. The EV4 will share battery options with the EV3, offering 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh configurations, and at least 300 miles of range (+480 km).

In all likelihood, the EV4 will offer the same battery configurations as the EV3, with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh options, and an entry-level version powered by a single electric motor pushing out 201 hp. A more muscular, dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant is also on the cards for those who need extra punch.

When will it go on sale?

Both the EV4 sedan and hatchback are set to make their world debut in the coming months, with a global rollout scheduled to begin in the second half of the year. However, some markets may have to wait until early 2026 to see the compact models. For the European market, production of the EV4 will take place at Kia’s upgraded manufacturing plant in Žilina, located in northwestern Slovakia.

The EV4 is part of a bigger EV plan

Kia has been aggressively expanding its electric vehicle lineup, with the EV4 being a key component in a much larger strategy. Under the company’s updated “Plan S,” Kia aims to launch 15 fully electric models and six new hybrids by 2027, cementing its place as a global EV contender. This plan spans everything from affordable urban vehicles to high-performance SUVs. Positioned in the middle of this range, the EV4 will provide a more accessible entry point to Kia’s electrified future, playing a pivotal role in the brand’s goal of selling 1.6 million eco-friendly vehicles annually by 2030.

Additional reporting by John Halas

SH Proshots

Kia’s EV4 sedan has been spied in prototype form on several occasions, but this time our photographers have sneaked a look inside the upcoming Tesla Model 3 rival.

Fresh images of a heavily disguised sedan testing in Europe show the infotainment screen and dashboard of the newest member of Kia’s growing electric family, and they look almost identical to the components fitted to this car’s SUV sister, the EV3.

Related: 2026 Kia EV4 Spied With A Hatchback Body, Looking Like A Mini-EV6

A wide, slim glass panel stretching from the driver’s side to the far side of the center console sandwiches a small 5.3-inch climate control display between a 12.3-inch digital instrument pack with a same-sized touchscreen media system.

The EV3 features ChatGPT AI voice control so you can ask it a variety of questions with a good chance of it understanding, and we can presume the EV4 will get the same tech. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also be part of the package.

Mounted below the floating screen unit is a control panel containing touch sensitive buttons for main shortcuts including Home, Map and Media, and there’s a revolving drum-style volume control beneath that with air vents mounted on either side.

The EV4 shares more than interior screen tech with the EV3. The sedan also rides on the same Hyundai Motor Group E-GMP electric platform used by the EV3, EV6, EV9 and multiple Hyundai and Genesis cars. But the EV3 is the only one of those cars to feature 400-volt rather than more advanced 800-volt electrics. It’s unclear which way the EV4 will swing, but if we had to call it we’d say it would follow the EV3’s lead in the pursuit of lower costs.

More synergies between EV3 and 4 would mean the sedan getting a choice of 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs and base models coming equipped with a single 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) electric motor. A more powerful dual-motor variant with all-wheel drive is also in the pipes.

But it’s not only batteries and motors that buyers will have to configure. They’ll also need to decide which bodystyle to have. These pictures show the EV4 in sedan guise, but previous spy photos confirm that Kia is also planning to offer its compact EV with a more upright hatchback tail when it goes on sale next year.

Images: SH Proshots