Small, cheaper electric vehicles are arriving in force, and a comparison between the upcoming Volkswagen ID Polo and Kia EV2 shows just how much drivers have to look forward to.
Here's what to know
A "completely unhinged" YouTube review by James Batchelor and Nicola Hume for Electrifying (@ElectrifyingCom) suggests the ID Polo has the advantage over the EV2.
With pre-grant pricing near £28,000 ($37,176) and range estimates of roughly 260 to 280 miles, these two cars show how close EVs are to becoming ordinary showroom choices.
On paper, the VW leans harder into power and practicality. The 52-kWh ID Polo is rated at up to 281 miles, produces 211 horsepower, and offers about 116 gallons of trunk space. The EV2 pairs a 58-kWh battery with up to 275 miles of range, 135 horsepower, and about 96 gallons for the trunk.
"Small, I think, is the new trend in the world of electric cars," Batch said. Both vehicles were also portrayed as family-friendly options that land around £300 ($398) per month.
There was little separating them at the charger, too. Electrifying listed the VW at a 105-kW peak and the Kia at 115 kW, with each expected to go from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes.
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More background
Practicality is part of the EV2's appeal. Its squarer body makes climbing in and out easier, and even the Air trim brings standard heated seats plus a heated steering wheel. The reviewers also liked the straightforward cabin and absence of glossy surfaces that tend to show fingerprints.
By contrast, the ID Polo won points for feeling more mature inside. The cabin includes physical controls, a flat floor in the rear, and front-passenger Isofix points that the Kia lacks.
VW also gives buyers room to add features that are uncommon in this class. In Electrifying's test, massage seats cost £710 ($942), and a panoramic roof came in at £785 ($1,041), making the ID Polo feel more configurable than many small-car alternatives.
That balance of comfort and plainness came up in the comments as well.
"That EV2 is like a 1980s Hilton hotel in the USA with its 'Have a nice day' and uniform grey interior," one person wrote. "Comfortable but drab."
What can be done?
For buyers who care most about acceleration, the VW came out ahead. In Electrifying's test, the 52-kWh version hits 62 mph 2.5 seconds before the Kia, though the EV2's 135-horsepower setup still managed the run in 9.5 seconds.
The EV2 did not come away empty-handed on usefulness. The presenters were especially positive about Kia's regenerative-braking system.
Equipment differences showed up elsewhere. The creators said both cars offered optional heat pumps with upper trims, but vehicle-to-load is standard across the VW lineup and limited to the Kia GT Line S.
They said the VW was the more rounded package but still kept things simple.
"The biggest compliment I can give this car is that it feels like a Polo that just happens to be electric," Batch said.
Where can I learn more?
The ID Polo and EV2 are part of the wider push for affordable small EVs.
• In the U.K., Kia's EV2 Air promises 270 miles while targeting one-car households.
• Across Europe, Volkswagen's €25,000 EVs are sold out, with wait lists stretching for months.
• Kia's EV3 starts under $30,000, showing how quickly affordable electric choices are widening.
• Volkswagen says its electric SUV enters production at about $32,000.
• In the U.K., Hyundai's $25,000 Ioniq 3 drew its biggest prelaunch response yet.
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