Kia EV2 Debuts Remote Smart Parking Assist

Kia EV2 to debut groundbreaking remote parking technology

New research from Kia has revealed just how difficult parking has become for UK drivers, highlighting daily frustrations, challenging tight spaces, and rising levels of anxiety.

The data accompanies the arrival of our latest electric vehicle, the Kia EV2, which is the first small SUV to feature Remote Smart Parking Assist in its segment.

This allows drivers to manoeuvre their vehicle into or out of a space from outside the car using the Digital Key. It’s a technology designed specifically for the kind of real-world situation captured by the new Kia Parking Index.

Why are drivers stressed about parking in the UK?

Statistics from the Kia Parking Index, show a third of drivers feel anxious or worried when parking. Many admit to routinely passing empty spaces that look difficult to enter and is the manoeuvre that most unsettles people.

Nearly two-thirds also believe parking bays are too narrow, leading to moments where drivers struggle to get in and out of their car. A small daily issue that adds up to stress and delays.

These challenges vary across the UK, with Southampton, Oxford, and Liverpool ranked as the toughest places to find a space. Together, the findings highlight the need for technology that genuinely supports drivers in real-world environments, which is why we integrated Remote Smart Parking Assist into the EV2.

What are the key features of Remote Smart Parking Assist?

With its compact footprint and urban-focused design, the EV2 has been developed with the technology to address these issues.

Remote Smart Parking Assist is the standout feature. With the driver standing outside the car, an EV2 can be guided forward or backward into a bay, or reversed out, using only the key

This remote function is supported by several Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, including:

· 360°-degree Surround View Monitor: Helps drivers judge tight spaces and obstacles, improving visibility in situations where mirrors alone aren’t enough
· Front and rear sensors: Provides real-time awareness of proximity to obstructions and can reduce likelihood of bumps, scrapes, or misjudged distances
· Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist: Supports safe backing out of narrow spaces, helping drivers feel more confident in small or busy car parks where visibility is limited

These features offer drivers a clear understanding of their surroundings for improved confidence in crowded car parks.

How Remote Smart Parking Assist benefits different drivers

The pressure of finding and fitting into a parking space affects drivers in different ways, from daily urban congestion to compact car park layouts and confidence challenges. With Remote Smart Parking Assist, the EV2 supports drivers in making everyday manoeuvres easier, safer, and far less stressful.

· Anxious or less-confident drivers: Front and rear sensors and 360° view monitor provide extra clarity to help anxious drivers feel in full control when parking

· Commuters: Makes tight city spaces easier to access, reducing the need to circle endlessly in crowded car parks or multi-storeys

· Families: Allows parents to position the EV2 perfectly before unloading children, prams, or bags with collision avoidance tech adding reassurance when reversing out of busy school or supermarket car parks.

· New drivers: Removes the pressure of performing intimidating manoeuvres and helps new drivers gain confidence while avoiding common misjudgements in tight spaces

An EV built for the realities of modern cities

The EV2’s role in easing parking stress extends beyond technology alone. Its compact dimensions maximise manoeuvrability, while the upright SUV stance provides a reassuring level of visibility. Inside, the layout prioritises clarity and simplicity, helping drivers feel in control during situations that may heighten tension.

To demonstrate how effectively the system works in the real world, Kia partnered with comedian and self-confessed “bad driver” Maisie Adam. After exploring the EV2’s parking technology with a Kia Parking Expert, Adam highlighted how being able to reverse the vehicle while stood outside transformed her confidence, a reaction that mirrors the intent behind the system.

A timely introduction for drivers

With customer deliveries beginning in summer 2026, the introduction of the EV2 aligns closely with the findings of the Parking Index. It offers a practical solution built around ease, clarity, and reassurance for a task that is becoming an increasingly stressful part of the driving experience.

For UK drivers navigating busy cities, ageing car parks and shrinking spaces, the EV2 brings advanced support to the places where it’s needed most.

Find out more about the EV2 at your local First Drive Weekends events, where you can be one of the first to test drive our newest electric vehicle.