Kia EV6 review

​Family buyers looking for a capable electric car will find that the Kia EV6 easily fits the bill. Its reliable 300-plus mile range, fast-charging capability and decent standard equipment count are all combined with a sleek and stylish design that’ll turn heads in Knebworth or Knightsbridge. The closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the slightly more practical option thanks to its boxier shape, but the EV6 feels more sporty and is better to drive. In fact, the EV6 is one of the best electric cars to drive, while the 577bhp EV6 GT adds truly rapid performance into the mix.

About the Kia EV6

Kia has been an important player on the electric car scene for some time already, thanks in large part to the massive success of its e-Niro. The South Korean brand now plans to establish itself as an all-electric car company by 2040, and launch a total of nine new pure-electric cars in the UK by 2027. 

More than a few of them will sit on a bespoke electric-car architecture called Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which currently serves as the underpinnings for our Car of The Year from 2021 – the Hyundai Ioniq 5 – along with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 saloon, Genesis GV60 coupe-SUV, Kia’s new flagship EV9 seven-seater and the Kia EV6.

The EV6 and EV9 sit alongside the Niro EV – the e-Niro’s sharper-looking successor – and the recently updated, yet still thoroughly quirky Soul EV in Kia’s electric car lineup, however these models don’t use the E-GMP platform.

The EV6 is more of a sporty family crossover than a traditional SUV, but finds itself up against the likes of the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Nissan Ariya (our 2022 Car of the Year), the Skoda Enyaq iV and the Volkswagen ID.4. Kia is most definitely looking to move upmarket with the EV6, however, and is also targeting customers that may be considering an Audi Q4 e-tron, Polestar 2, BMW i4, Tesla Model 3 or Model Y.

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Every EV6 is powered by a 77.4kWh battery, but buyers are given a choice of rear or all-wheel drive. The less expensive, rear-wheel drive models feature a single 226bhp electric motor, while all-wheel drive versions get a one motor on each axle pumping out a combined 321bhp. The EV6 has a maximum range of 328 miles in rear-drive form, though all-wheel drive versions are close behind. 

Then there’s the EV6 GT model, which also gets a dual-motor setup but turns the dial all the way up to 11, producing 577bhp and 740Nm in total. With a 0-62mph time of just 3.5 seconds, this is the version you want if you fancy embarrassing some supercars while out on the school run. 

Trim levels are limited to the Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S, along with the standalone GT model. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Air specification is a poor relation to its GT-Line cousins, though, because it still comes with a generous level of kit that includes 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, twin 12.3-inch curved displays, integrated sat-nav, a reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. 

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With prices starting from around £45,000 and rising to more than £62,000, it’s worth taking some time to study the standard kit list before deciding on which model is right for you. It’s also worth noting that GT-Line and GT-Line S models are also available with a heat pump, which is designed to increase battery efficiency in colder months by helping to warm the cabin.

For an alternative review of the Kia EV6, visit our sister site drivingelectric.com...