The Kia EV6 electric hatchback is a sporty, compact and powerful electric car. It has a range exceeding 300 miles, impressive 350kW rapid charge and a 577bhp performance variant. It is closely related to our Best Family Electric Car of 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It is a possible favorite in the battle against the Skoda Enyaq iV and Ford Mustang Mach-E as well as Cupra Born, Tesla Model Y, and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
This is Kia’s first electric vehicle that has been purposely built. It can’t be driven by a plug-in hybrid or petrol engine. It has key advantages such as a lower centre of gravity that allows for easier handling and a flat floor which increases passenger and luggage storage.
Two versions are currently available in the UK. Both come with a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery. Rear-wheel drive is the more affordable option. It has a single motor that produces 226bhp and can travel up to 328 miles. You can spend around PS4,000 more to get an additional motor in the front. This will increase power to 321bhp, add four-wheel drive, and reduce range to 314 miles.
Both versions were tested and both felt as fast as the rear-wheel-drive model. It was 7.3 seconds faster than its 0-62mph time of 0-60mph. It is quieter, especially in town, and it feels slightly more sharp than the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It looks sportier thanks to its lower stance. The suspension is also a bit firmer, which improves body control and transmits a few bumps into the seats.
The cheaper model is our favorite. While the all-wheel drive model is quicker in straight lines, it isn’t as exciting to drive overall and has a shorter range. It also costs significantly more.
You will notice the dual-screen curved setup for instruments and infotainment on the interior. Your eyes will quickly be drawn to it. It spans the dashboard in an elegant arc. The materials are also of high quality, which casts doubt on the belief that Volkswagen still produces the highest-quality interiors for mass markets. Even in the second row, there is ample space and plenty of kneeroom. However, the low roof does affect headroom. The boot can hold 490-litres, while the 40-litre trunk in the rear-wheel-drive model will be useful.
It’s pretty close between the EV6 & Hyundai Ioniq 5, but after comparing them back-toback, it will likely come down to personal preference. The Kia is more traditional and sporty than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with a more precise driving experience. The Hyundai is more striking, but also more practical. It has more space in the back seats and its boot. Although the Kia is a solid EV in its own right it has a good range and an interior that is affordable, making it one the most popular EVs in the PS40-50k price bracket.
Although buyers of electric cars are less concerned about range anxiety, it has been known for a long time that EVs will soon break the 300-mile barrier. This would make it even easier to switch from fossil fuels. The EV6 is a mainstream model that can travel up to 328 miles. It can also be leased on a great leasing deal and should be affordable by many private customers or company car drivers.
Charge and range for the Kia EV6
The EV6 is available in a range of battery sizes, with a 58kWh or 77.4kWh version for most markets. However, UK customers will only be able to choose the larger of the two versions in the foreseeable future. Although it’s disappointing that a cheaper version of the EV6 is not available, it is likely that this decision was made based on demand.
With the smaller battery, you get a headline range of just 330 miles. This is despite having a lower-powered motor and rear wheel drive. The GT-Line version comes with four-wheel drive. Range drops to 314 miles with the GT-Line S, which has larger alloy wheels (20 inches) and 300 miles with the GT-Line S. The Tesla Model Y Long range has a range up to 331 miles, but it costs approximately PS8,000 more. Cupra Born 77kWh can travel up to 335 miles.
Both Hyundai and Kia appear to be at the top of their class in terms of EV efficiency. Our test car was driven on UK roads, motorways and city streets, returning 4.2 miles per kWh. This would mean that the real-world range is 325 miles. However, this figure doesn’t include all driving modes. The all-wheel-drive model has a range of approximately 290 miles.
The charging experience is first-class, thanks to Kia’s 800volt electrical architecture. This voltage is the same as what you will find in a Porsche Taycan. It can also provide speeds up to 350kW if you have a public DC charger. It will charge the battery in less than 18 minutes. This makes long trips easy. A 7kW home wallbox charger takes just 10 hours to charge the battery from 0-100%.
Groups of insurance
EVs are more likely to be in higher insurance groups due to their high-performance and new technology than comparable petrol or diesel models. The entry-level Air trim is in group 34 of 50. This is one band less than the Hyundai Ioniq. The GT-Line is in group 40 with four-wheel drive and extra power. The Volkswagen ID.4 is found in groups 20-30 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range in group 37.
The Kia EV6 shares a new electric car platform with Hyundai Ioniq 5. This model is already our Best Family Electric Car of 2022. It comes with several power options, just like the Hyundai and other rivals such the Cupra Born.
The EV6’s first impressions also show that it is slightly more fun to drive than the Hyundai. This gives it a slight edge if you want a more sporty EV driving experience. The well-judged suspension keeps everything under control and it can cover a lot of ground quickly. Its lower roofline gives the Kia a sportier feeling than the Hyundai, which is slightly higher.
However, we wouldn’t recommend Sport mode as it can cause excessive throttle response and steering wheel response, which makes the car feel unruly.
Kia EV6 electric motor
You can choose between a single-motor version that produces 226bhp with rear-wheel drive and a more powerful model with a front motor and four wheel drive. This will help you unleash your 321bhp. The entry-level model was our first choice. It went from 0 to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds.
This time is cut to 5.2 seconds by the dual-motor car. The top speed of both cars electronically limits to 114 mph. It doesn’t have the same power punch as a Tesla Model 3 or Porsche Taycan but it feels fast enough.
The EV6 is heavier than the Ioniq 5 but still manages to reach the UK’s speed limit with minimal fuss. You can feel the power and acceleration of this car, which is great for speeding up in Eco mode.
The four-wheel-drive GT version of the Kia is also in development. It can go from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 162mph. This model will boast 577 bhp and performance that rivals a Tesla Model X or Porsche Taycan. The range will be up to 251 miles.
Kia has done an excellent job keeping the motor and suspension noises out of the interior. It’s almost silent at lower speeds. The motor is hidden under the boot in the single-motor model. This helps to keep it away from the driver. The all-wheel-drive version has a faint motor whine, but the suspension is not too firm. The tyres make the most noise as you speed up. The EV6’s tyres are fairly firm so you can feel the bumps in the car, but not as much as in many other models.
Kia EV6 dashboard
The dashboard is centered around two 12.3-inch curved displays. Both are legible due to the sharp graphics. The first displays the instruments, and the second houses media settings, navigation, and media. A ledge below the touchscreen allows you to hold your hand while you interact with the display. You can switch between the climate control or audio system by touching it.
The car’s design and materials feel right at home with the more expensive cars. The chrome, gloss-black trim, and fabrics look great. In keeping with the eco-friendly theme, the seat upholstery is made from the equivalent of 111 recycled plastic bottles per car. An augmented reality head-up display with large size is available that projects useful information in front of the driver’s eyes.
Equipment
The standard equipment includes LED exterior lighting, 19 inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and folding mirrors. You can also get heated front seats, artificial leather, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, and heated steering wheels.
The vehicle-to-load feature (V2L) is one of the most interesting features. It allows the EV6 act as a huge battery charger on wheels. You can charge items like smartphones and laptops using a 3-pin plug. Or, you can use the EV6 for up to 24 hours to power a 55-inch TV or air conditioner. This is useful in a power cut or when camping off-grid.
Interior space and storage for the Kia EV6
The interior of the electric Kia is spacious and uncluttered thanks to its flat floor. There’s no transmission tunnel. The front seats are spacious and comfortable. You won’t feel cramped by the large center console or tall dashboard. There is plenty of forward visibility.
The smooth floor allows three passengers to sit across the back seats, with little chance of them banging on the front seats. The Ioniq 5’s lower roofline means that headroom is not as generous as the EV6. The EV6 may not be the best option if you frequently carry tall adults in your back.
There is plenty of boot space
The Kia EV6 boot space has an excellent shape, and the boot has a variable-height ground. This allows you to choose whether you prefer a smooth loading lip or maximum storage. The boot’s capacity of 490-litres should be sufficient for most people. However, it is disappointing that there aren’t more useful features such as hooks or cargo nets to secure your items while you drive.
Rear-wheel-drive models have a 52-litre trunk storage space under the bonnet. This is ideal if you need to store charging cables, wet umbrellas, or boots. If you choose a four-wheel-drive model, this storage area shrinks to a smaller 20 litres.
Although this is the first model to be built on Kia’s E-GMP platform it has a solid reputation among those who have made the switch from their old cars to electric. The durability of models like the Kia Soul EV and Kia e-Niro have been impressive, with an exceptional driving range that doesn’t seem to decrease over time.
Reliability of the Kia EV6
Both Kia, Hyundai and other EV proponents have a solid reputation and have seen their models sell in large numbers all over the globe. This knowledge should have informed many decisions that will make the first-ever electric Kia car even better.
Our 2021 Driver Power survey of owner satisfaction found that Kia was second to Porsche. It was at the top of every category and has excellent scores for reliability, build quality, and the ease-of-use of their infotainment. Owners also said that their Kias were stylish and fun to drive.
Safety
The EV6 is a brand’s technology flagship and is packed with safety features. The standard model comes with autonomous emergency braking that protects pedestrians and cyclists as well as other vehicles. The system also features a navigation-based smart control system, which can be used to assist in driving in heavy traffic. GT-Line cars include blind-spot warnings and semi-autonomous parking. Highway driving assist is also available. There’s even a system that helps to avoid collisions while parking.
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