For some, parallel parking is a skill, but for others, the mere idea of getting your car into a tight spot can cause fear and stress.
Kia is bringing a solution with its new EV2 car, equipped with the Remote Smart Parking Assist function, which can maneuver the car into and out of tight spaces without the driver's assistance.
Instead of automatically pulling into parking spaces like some other features, the EV2 can be driven by a button on the key, moving forward and backward like a very expensive remote-controlled car.
My testing in a multi-storey car park in Southampton showed that, even if the parking space is tight, the system works wonderfully. At just 4.06 metres long and with a high-density network of sensors and cameras, parking seems effortless.
This system is not just a luxury: it solves a real problem. In Britain, the standard size of parking spaces has not been revised since 1976, while modern cars have grown much larger. A Mini Cooper has gone from 141 cm in 1959 to 197 cm in the Mini Hatch of 2025. This means that parking spaces are often too narrow for today's cars.
With Remote Smart Parking Assist, you can use the system even if you're stuck. Simply stand behind the car, lock it, press the 'hold' button, then 'back'. The EV2 slowly backs out of the space, releasing the door and allowing you to get in without any problems. If you're stuck inside, you can get out and command the car to back into the parking space.
The movements are slow but controllable, and the car's sensors prevent it from hitting walls or surrounding objects. Even if you try to physically intervene, the EV2 automatically stops for your safety.
Kia parking expert Francesca Reid emphasizes that this technology helps drivers maintain control, but they must always be attentive to their surroundings.
Comic and EV2 user Maisie Adams said this works great for parents with kids and shopping, or for seniors who are no longer as flexible. “You can use the car and be sure that no other vehicles will be damaged,” she said.
This technology shows that tight parking no longer has to be stressful – it can even become a calm and safe experience. /GazetaExpress/
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