EV2 is Kia's smallest and most affordable EV

Kia’s smallest and most affordable all-electric model has gone on sale here priced from €28,660, writes Trish Whelan. The car, compact outside and spacious inside, competes in one of Ireland’s fastest growing segments which accounts for over 22 per cent of all new car sales, with fully electric B-SUVs growing in popularity by 37 per cent year-on-year. 

EV2 was designed, engineered and produced in Europe - and tuned specifically for European roads - it is available exclusively as a five-seater in Ireland. EV2 follows the exterior design of Kia’s other recent EVs, with a bold and boxy exterior with upright proportions and strong shoulder line, like that of the EV5 and EV9. 

The new EV2 combines everyday versatility, upper-segment technology and a comprehensive Advanced driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and driving performance. It is available in four different trim levels, each with an impressive list of standard equipment and a choice of 42.2kWh standard-range battery with a 317km range, or 61.0kWh long-range battery option with a class-leading range of up to 453km. All variants are powered by a single front-mounted electric motor. In variants equipped with the standard-range battery pack, the electric motor applies 144bhp through the front wheels; the larger long-range battery pack is paired with a slightly detuned front motor to maximise driving efficiency applying 133bhp through the front wheels. All variants produce 250Nm torque. 

EV2 offers Kia’s latest triple-screen connected car Navigation Cockpit system integrating a 12.3-inch driver cluster, 12.3-inch central touchscreen, and 5.3-inch climate control display. Boot space is a decent 362 litres. 

Four trim levels are: Air, Earth, GT-Line and GT-Line Plus, with the latter two trims exclusively available in long range. The Air trim comes very well specced for an entry level model with 16-inch alloy wheels, Blind-spot collision avoidance, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats and steering wheel, LED headlights, smart cruise control 2 and wireless CarPlay & Android Auto. Earth has 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, wireless phone charger, and 15 litre frunk; GT adds 19-inch alloys, GT-Line exterior and interior styling, vegan leather seats, power driver seat with lumbar support, while GT-Plus adds 12.3-inch infotainment with built-in maps and Kia upgrades, Hardon Kardon sound system, heat pump, Highway driving Assist 2, glass sunroof. 

DC fast charging from 10-80 percent takes approximately 29 minutes for the standard-range version and just a minute or so more for the long-range model. EV2 is available from €28,660-€30,530 for the 42.2 kWh battery variant, and from €31,940-€37,090 for the 61.0kWh model. 

After a short spin on launch day, I believe it could well become Kia Ireland’s best-selling all-electric model.

Fiat launch new Grande Panda from €23,995

Fiat Ireland unveiled its new Grande Panda to the Irish media at a special press launch event held at the offices of the Olympic Federation of Ireland in Abbotstown, the home of Team Ireland for whom Fiat is the Official Vehicle Partner. 

 The Grande Panda is Fiat’s bold reimagining of one of motoring’s beloved nameplates which stretches back 45 years over three generations. Over eight million units sold during that time. The model competes in the B-segment car. The target audience is first-time buyers, newly qualified drivers, empty nesters seeking to downsize and as a first, or second, family car. 

This latest Panda has been given a strong personality featuring a boxy, robust shape and bold stance inspired by the 1980s version and including the PXL (LED)s from the pixel art of that time, giving the car both a nostalgic and futuristic look. There’s a strong focus on colour and sustainable materials in the interior including a bamboo fibre textiles used on the dashboard. 

Features include a 10-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen radio standard on Icon and La Prima with wireless mirroring with Android Auto/Apple Car Play. La Prima includes the embedded Navigation System. Boot space is 412 litres for the hybrid version, 361 litres otherwise. 

Trims are Pop, Icon and La Prima, all come well specced. Powertrains include full electric (BEV) and mild hybrid variants. The Pop trim is offered only with the battery electric versions while hybrids are offered in both the Icon and La Prima trims. All-electric (BEV) versions with a 44kWh battery and engine power of 83kW, have an electric range of 320kms, and can DC charge in 30 minutes. A world-first feature is the integrated retractable 4.5m front charging cable behind the FIAT logo, which works up to 7 kW AC only. If you upgrade to 11 kW AC, you lose the retractable cable and must use the rear charging port instead. Both Icon and La Prima electric models include the 7kW on board Front Spiral Cable for convenient charging. 

The Grande Panda will be the official vehicle for Team Ireland as part of their four-year partnership with Fiat Ireland, and used to support Irish athletes’ performances by providing transport solutions to make training, competitions and their day-to-day commitments more manageable and stress-free. A dedicated fleet of Fiat vehicles will be made available to athletes and sporting national governing bodies. 

Brand Ambassadors Kate O’Connor and Thomas Barr will be driving new Grande Pandas while Olympic Champion swimmer Daniel Wiffen has been driving the model as he competes in the Irish Open. Kate is pictured with John Saunders, Managing Director Fiat Ireland, at last week's launch at Team Ireland HQ.

At the launch, John Saunders, Managing Director of Fiat Ireland said: “This is a car that perfectly captures what Irish drivers are looking for right now. A stylish, versatile and affordable option with a choice of powertrains that doesn’t compromise on technology or sustainability.” 

The Pop is from €23,995; Icon from €23,995 and La Prima from €26,995. Fiat Ireland expect to sell around 250 units (based on supply) for the rest of this year, moving to 500-600 units in a whole calendar year. 

Frontera pushes Opel growth in Ireland

The Opel Frontera has driven Opel Ireland into the top ten in the country’s sales rankings for 2026, contributing to a 3.5% market share across passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, writes Brian Byrne. Launched just ahead of the 261-registration plate, the compact SUV has registered 859 units and ranked 17th among the year to date best-sellers. 

Available in three trims and options for five or seven seats, the Frontera has a rugged design and a choice of petrol hybrid and all-electric drivetrains. Priced from €24,606 for the electric version and €27,995 for the hybrid, it offers strong value for families. 

Opel Ireland Managing Director James Brooks said the model has quickly become a family favourite, backed by a five-year warranty and features such as wide-opening rear doors and spacious cargo capacity, up to 1,594 litres of storage with seats folded. 

Powered by hybrid options with 110PS and 145PS, and electric versions with ranges of 300km and 400km respectively, the Frontera complements Opel’s Mokka and Grandland SUVs lineup. 

Updated Astra here for 262 sales

The updated Opel Astra is scheduled to arrive in Ireland in late spring 2026, writes Brian Byrne, just ahead of the new 262 registration plate in July. 

Unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show, the new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer feature a modernised design with an illuminated Opel Vizor front face and a range of powertrains, including petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid, all-electric, and diesel options. The all-electric model offers a range of up to 454 km, while the plug-in hybrid provides up to 82 km of electric range. 

The Astra also has improved interior comfort with AGR Intelli-Seats as standard and advanced Intelli-Lux HD lighting. 

Prices and standard equipment for the Irish market will be announced closer to the launch. 

VW's ID. Cross testing in Amsterdam

Volkswagen’s ID. Cross will debut in the European market in the second half of 2026, priced from around €28,000, writes Brian Byrne. This five-seater electric car targets customers seeking affordable, everyday mobility. 

Pictured here in Amsterdam with a camouflage wrap, the ID. Cross will provide flexible powertrain options with power levels of 114hp, 133hp, and 208hp, paired with battery sizes of 37 kWh and 52 kWh.

Volkswagen promises a compelling price-performance ratio with its compact size, advanced technology, and spacious interior. 

World Car Design win for Mazda6e

Mazda’s all-electric Mazda6e has been awarded the 2026 World Car Design of the Year (WCDOTY) at the New York International Auto Show, writes Brian Byrne. 

This marks Mazda’s third win in the WCDOTY category, following the Mazda MX-5 in 2016 and Mazda3 in 2020. 

The Mazda6e features elegant proportions and a warm interior, reflecting Japanese craftsmanship. 

The award underscores Mazda’s commitment to design excellence as it advances its electrification strategy. 

EV sales surge in Q1

Kia EV3, second place electric car this year.

Year-to-date electric car sales in Ireland have surged, with 14,004 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered, marking a 40.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025, writes Brian Byrne. 

In March alone, BEV registrations rose by 52.1 per cent, reaching 3,851 units. This growth has propelled the BEV market share to 21.5 per cent for the year so far, up from 18.9 per cent in 2025.

While there was an overall decline in new car registrations, which fell by 10.4 per cent in March compared to the previous year, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) saw a 13.5 per cent increase, while Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) experienced a 10 per cent rise, marking their first month of growth this year.

Hybrid vehicles continue to dominate the market, accounting for 27.36 per cent of new car registrations, followed by Electric at 21.56 per cent and Petrol at 21.24 per cent. 

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) noted that while the first quarter of 2026 saw a slight slowdown in new car sales, the strong performance of electric vehicles across all counties remains a significant highlight.