Overview
The 2022 Kia EV6 is the company’s first dedicated electric vehicle, and it’s based on the same Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that will back a spate of upcoming Kia electric vehicles.
Kia has ambitious goals to become an all-electric vehicle manufacturer by 2040 and carbon-neutral by 2045. Its battery-powered EV6 flagship is a crucial model in helping the Korean automaker meet its goal of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounting for 40% of total sales by 2030.
The EV6 is Kia’s first unique electric car, built on the brand’s all-new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), but it won’t be alone for long, as the company plans to release seven more E-GMP-based cars over the next five years.
The EV6 is an example of the growing choices and capabilities of the latest electric cars, with an estimated range of up to 310 miles and speedy charging rates thanks to its 800-volt design. It will also have two alternative batteries, rear- or all-wheel drive, and a horsepower range of 167 to 576. The latter is true for the top-of-the-line EV6 GT, which is said to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. The images of the 2022 EV6’s forceful sheet metal and attractive-looking cabin indicate that it will be a lot more intriguing to look at and, hopefully, to drive than its unoriginal moniker indicates.
The Kia EV6 is an excellent choice for families seeking a competent electric vehicle. The Korean crossover is one of the greatest electric vehicles you can purchase right now, thanks to its steady 300-plus mile range, rapid charging capacity, and good standard kit.
Its sleek and attractive design attracts attention, and the EV6 is fun to drive, with supercharged GT variants delivering genuinely quick acceleration.
Kia’s life is moving at a breakneck pace, which is a good thing given the expanding number of electric vehicles available to purchasers. The EV6 is more of a sporty family crossover than a typical SUV, yet it competes with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (our 2021 Car of the Year), the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Skoda Enyaq, and the Volkswagen ID.4 on a mechanical level. With the EV6, Kia is attempting to climb upscale and will be targeting buyers who could be contemplating an Audi Q4 e-Tron, Polestar 2, or Tesla Model 3.
E-Motor, Transmission, and Performance
The EV6 may be built with rear- or all-wheel drive and a single electric motor on the rear axle or an electric motor on both axles. The standard rear-drive model has a smaller battery and just 167 hp, whereas all all-wheel-drive variants have a larger battery pack with either 313 or 576 total horsepower. With the larger battery, the rear-drive EV6’s overall system output rises to 218 horsepower. The 313-hp variant is expected to go from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, according to Kia. The 576-hp GT, which boasts an estimated zero-to-60-mph speed of fewer than 3.5 seconds, will appeal to those looking for maximum straight-line performance.
The EV6 offers a sportier feel than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, although using the same E-GMP electric-car platform. The EV6 features a little firmer set-up than its Korean counterpart, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear end to help keep everything under control. It’s also not as tall, so it has a lower center of gravity.
The rear-wheel-drive variant produces 226 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque, which is more than enough to keep things entertaining. Leaving the drive mode option in Eco or Normal does not significantly reduce performance, which is excellent because Sport mode can be a little too much for regular driving. The more aggressive throttle and steering reactions are a little too powerful, and everything feels unbalanced and overexcited, especially on twistier Broads.
The 321bhp all-wheel-drive car gives you a considerable jump in straight-line speed, but it’s best delivered on smooth, straight portions of the road since the EV6 isn’t at its best through curves and sharper turns. The 577bhp GT variant, on the other hand, features electronically adjustable suspension and a limited-slip differential, which should aid handling.
But if you use the EV6 for what it is – a quick family vehicle – everything is fine. The ride quality and body control are decent, and you’ll still pull off the occasional traffic light runaway.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The single-motor EV6 has a combined EPA rating of up to 117 MPGe, while the dual-motor EV6 has a combined EPA rating of 105 MPGe. We’ll be able to assess their real-world efficiency once we’ve tested both setups on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our rigorous testing procedure. Visit the EPA website for additional information on the EV6’s fuel efficiency.
Range, Charge & Battery
The Kia EV6 comes with two battery options: a 58.0-kWh battery and a 77.4-kWh battery. The bigger of the two will obviously give a longer driving range. The smaller, conventional battery has a range of 232 miles, while the bigger, long-range battery has a range of up to 310 miles, according to the EPA. Kia claims that when hooked into a 350-kW fast charger, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, thanks to an operating voltage of 800 volts. In less than 5 minutes, this same configuration is believed to add 70 miles. When connected to a Level 2 outlet, the 11-kW onboard charger is intended to charge the battery from 10% to 100% in 7 hours.
Because the EV6 range starts at over £41,000, there is no government subsidy to help with the on-the-road cost. Fortunately, the EV6 is a fuel-efficient vehicle; we noticed a good efficiency rate of 4.2 miles per kWh during our own test of the rear-wheel-drive type on a variety of highways. It implies that a single charge of the 77.4kWh (usable) battery will provide you 325 miles of real-world driving, only 3 miles short of Kia’s own WLTP-rated 328-mile number.
Kia EV6 Dimensions, Exterior & Interior
The EV6’s interior is made of vegan leather that is both durable and environmentally friendly. Your daily journey will be more pleasurable thanks to the ultra-wide sunroof. Navigating in chilly weather is effortless thanks to amenities like the heated steering wheel and front seats. You can monitor essential safety features or follow your navigation instructions with the augmented reality head-up display, which is shown on two curved panels. To use the Kia Connect app, connect your car to your Apple Watch. This app allows you to manage your car remotely, such as starting or stopping the motor and monitoring your charge status.
The EV6’s interior design and layout aren’t as daring as the outside, but the arrangement and amenities are more appealing and futuristic than any other Kia car now on the market. Although the center console does not glide back and forth, and there are no front-seat footrests like the future Ioniq 5, the EV6 blends high-tech features like a digital dashboard with practical features like a floating center console with plenty of storage and a huge bin beneath it. The two-tone, two-spoke steering wheel, the conspicuous start button on the central console, and the gold accents tastefully arranged around the cockpit are also notable. With a flat floor and a wheelbase as long as the three-row, mid-size Kia Telluride, the EV6 should have plenty of room for passengers. With the rear seatbacks folded flat, there is also 28 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the back seat and 54 cubic feet altogether. There’s even extra storage beneath the front trunk.
The EV6 is available in three trim levels: the Base EV6, the GT-Line, and the GT. When it comes to color, the 2022 Kia EV6 gives you a few options. Choose between a Steel Gray Matte exterior and a Black interior, and Urban Yellow exterior and a Black interior, or a Glacier exterior with a Black and Green inside.
In the metal, the EV6 is a fairly large car, just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It’s 31mm longer than a Skoda Enyaq at 4,680mm length and 1,880mm broad, but the breadth is nearly comparable. The EV6 extends 396mm in length and 91mm in the breadth over a normal family hatchback like the Volkswagen Golf, yet being only 59mm higher.
The Kia EV6’s external appearance is guaranteed to stir some heads. It includes striking details, such as flat door handles and a tiger grille design, in addition to being Kia’s first fully-electric SUV. The optional 20-inch alloy wheels round off the look.
Practicality, comfort, and boot space
Although taller people in the back will pay the price for the EV6’s sleek, sporty appearance, because the lower roofline does limit headroom significantly, the driver and front passenger will have no trouble finding enough space to be comfortable. However, because there is no high center tunnel, a fully level floor helps to produce extra legroom.
The EV6’s boot is a good size at 490-litres, and the variable-height boot floor lets you choose whether to maximize room or create a level loading lip. All-wheel-drive automobiles have a 20-liter storage box beneath the hood, whereas rear-drive cars have a 52-liter storage compartment.
Infotainment and Connectivity
With the EV6’s tech-filled interior, Kia borrows a page from premium automakers. Dual 12-inch displays, one for the instrument cluster and the other for the infotainment system, form a large display that spans the dashboard. The EV6 also has an augmented reality head-up display that projects three-dimensional representations of speed, navigation, and driver aid information onto the windshield. A 14-speaker Meridian audio system, wireless smartphone charging, and last-mile navigation are also available. Last-mile navigation delivers walking directions to the driver when the car is parked within 1.2 kilometers of the ultimate destination.
Driving & Safety
The EV6 should prove to be a dependable car, with its E-GMP underpinnings expected to be utilized across a range of future all-electric Kia cars over the next few years. In our 2021 Driver Power study, customer opinion was extremely good about Kia as a manufacturer (ranked second out of 29 manufacturers), with dependability and build quality being identified as strong aspects throughout its model ranges.
The Rio hatchback (2nd) and Sportage SUV (9th) both placed in the top ten of the survey, while the Niro, Picanto, and Stonic models were also included in the list of 75 vehicles.
Although the EV6 has not yet been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 received a high five-star rating, and the EV6 comes equipped with many safety features as standard, there should be no cause for fear.
Kia’s family EV has a number of active safety technologies in addition to smart cruise control and a rearview camera: Forward Accident Avoidance Assist employs a front radar to detect potential dangers such as pedestrians, bicycles, or other vehicles, then issues a warning and applies the brakes automatically to assist avoid or lessen a collision. There are also technologies that assist you to stay in your lane, as well as technology that will alert you if it detects any loss of focus or driver tiredness.
Kia EV6 Price and Best to Buy
Kia hasn’t revealed many details about the 2022 EV6, but rear-drive models with short- and long-range batteries will be offered. Only all-wheel-drive vehicles, notably the high-performance EV6 GT, are compatible with the latter. We also expect a less powerful GT-Line trim level to join the range below it. We won’t be able to propose the best deal until Kia reveals the price as well as precise standards and optional equipment for each model. When it finally goes on sale, we expect the EV6 to start at roughly $45,000 and max out at around $55,000.
| Grade | CO2 | Insurance Group | Basic ($) | VAT ($) (20%) | Retail ($) | 1st Year VED | FRF ($) | Delivery ($) | OTR ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV6 ‘Air’ 77.4kWh lithium-ion 226bhp RWD 1-speed auto | 0 | TBC | 45677 | 9135 | 54813 | $ 0 | 74.91 | 878.48 | 55766 |
| EV6 ‘GT-Line’ 77.4kWh lithium-ion 226bhp RWD 1-speed auto | 0 | TBC | 49082 | 9816 | 58899 | $ 0 | 74.91 | 878.48 | 59852 |
| EV6 ‘GT-Line’ 77.4kWh lithium-ion 321bhp AWD 1-speed auto | 0 | TBC | 53054 | 10609 | 63666 | $ 0 | 74.91 | 878.48 | 64619 |
| EV6 ‘GT-Line S’ 77.4kWh lithium-ion 226bhp RWD 1-speed auto | 0 | TBC | 54190 | 10838 | 65028 | $ 0 | 74.91 | 878.48 | 65981 |
| EV6 ‘GT-Line S’ 77.4kWh lithium-ion 321bhp AWD 1-speed auto | 0 | TBC | 58162 | 11632 | 69795 | $ 0 | 74.91 | 878.48 | 70748 |
Warranty, Maintenance Coverage & Insurance
Kia offers one of the industry’s top warranty policies. It does not, however, come with any complimentary planned maintenance, unlike Hyundai.
- A five-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty is included.
- A ten-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty is included.
- There is no free planned maintenance.
Electric car insurance costs have historically been higher than identical combustion-engined models, yet new research shows that the cost of insuring an EV is decreasing.
The 226bhp EV6 model is classified as group 34-35 depending on trim level, while the 321bhp all-wheel-drive models are classified as group 40. Group 45 includes the top-of-the-line GT with 577bhp.
A fully-loaded 156bhp Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ with four-wheel-drive and mild-hybrid tech is in group 19, while a 254bhp BMW 330i Touring in Sports Pro trim (cost roughly £43,000) is in group 33, which is nearly identical to the EV6’s insurance classification. It may not change your decision to buy a battery-powered family car, but the additional insurance costs of an EV are something to consider.
