Kia Ray EV Gets Power Boost and Extended Range

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【Summary】Kia has updated its small electric vehicle, the Ray EV, with more power and longer range. It now has an 86 hp electric motor and a 35.2 kWh battery pack, providing a range of 205 km (127 miles) in the combined cycle and up to 233 km (145 miles) in the city. The updated model features styling upgrades, including new LED headlights and taillights, and an improved interior with a digital instrument cluster and revised climate controls.

FutureCar Staff Oct 05, 2023 11:21 PM PT

Kia Ray EV Gets Power Boost and Extended Range

Kia is set to unveil new electric models on Kia EV Day later this month, but in the meantime, let's take a look at the recently updated Kia Ray EV, a smaller electric vehicle that is only available in South Korea. This facelifted version comes a year after the updated ICE-powered Ray with a new electric powertrain.

The Ray is a practical alternative to the Kia Morning (also known as the Picanto) in Kia's Korean lineup. Introduced in 2011, it has received facelifts in 2017 and 2022, with the latest update aimed at making the Ray EV more desirable to buyers and extending its availability.

Under the skin, the most significant changes include a new electric motor producing 86 hp and a new battery pack with a capacity of 35.2 kWh. This allows for a range of 205 km in the combined cycle and up to 233 km in the city, a significant improvement over the previous model's range of 138 km.

The Kia Ray shares its underpinnings with other small models from the group, such as the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, and Hyundai Casper. It's possible that future electric versions of these models will have similar specs to the Ray EV. Hyundai has already confirmed that it is working on a zero-emission Casper, with a camouflaged prototype recently seen in Europe.

The second facelift of the Kia Ray EV brings visual upgrades that were applied to the ICE-powered Ray last year. These include vertically-stacked LED headlights, a covered grille, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and new interconnected LED taillights. EV-specific styling cues include a charging port on the grille and new wheels.

Inside the Ray EV, there is a new digital instrument cluster, a modern steering wheel, revised climate controls, and a small storage compartment on the dashboard due to the lack of a gear shifter. The seats can fold flat, creating a comfortable living space, and there is also an LCV version with one or two seats for those who need a small electric minivan for work. Kia designers have added fresh options for the interior trim to keep it up to date.

In Korea, pricing for the Kia Ray EV starts at ₩27,350,000 ($20,253) for the entry-level LCV and goes up to ₩30,800,000 ($22,807) for the full-spec passenger model. This is significantly more expensive than the ICE-powered Ray, which starts at ₩13,900,000 ($10,288).