Overview
What the Kia EV6 does best is take the time spent between driving a fully-electric vehicle between charges and makes it worthwhile. Without tangling its owners into the scientific experiment of owning an EV, the EV6 provides a pleasant ride, good performance, and a spacious cabin. Its distractingly cool-dude styling is meaningful and makes this Kia SUV look like something special rather than like everything else. For range, the EV6 offers as much as 310 EPA-estimated miles. For fun, the EV6 GT performance version blasts off with 576 horsepower. With a peak DC-fast charging rate of about 225 kW, the EV6 re-juices quickly, making it an easier way to travel long distances on electricity. It has many advantages over its competitors, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, and Nissan Ariya, but the EV6 is slightly more expensive than its twin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
What’s New for 2024?
Kia makes no significant changes to the EV6 for 2024.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’re charmed by the top-spec 576-hp GT and its heroic performance, but we figure most EV buyers are more interested in maximum driving range over maximum speediness. For those folks, we recommend the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Wind trim, not only because it’s the most affordable way to get all-weather traction, but also because the dual motors generate a combined 320 horsepower versus the single motor’s lower power output. Going with the standard 19-inch wheels also preserves driving range, and the EV6 Wind with all-wheel drive is said to be good for up to 282 miles of driving per charge.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The EV6 is available with a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle that gives it rear-wheel drive or with electric motors on both front and rear axles that enable all-wheel drive. While all-wheel-drive models have either 320 or 576 total horsepower, the base rear-drive example makes due with 225 horsepower. We drove a GT-Line AWD in Europe and enjoyed its satisfying acceleration, agile handling, and adjustable regenerative brake settings. At our test track, that 320-hp GT-Line model managed a brisk 4.5-second zero-to-60-mph time. That’ll get you to the next EV charging station plenty fast. Going for the rear-wheel drive model provides more range—310 miles—but it also needed 6.7 seconds to reach 60 mph in our testing. If you prioritize maximum straight-line performance, the 576-hp GT has you covered; in our testing, it rushed to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. The performance model sits at the top of the lineup and comes with enhancements such as an electronic limited-slip differential, firmer chassis tuning, an adaptive suspension, and stouter brakes.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
All EV6s are equipped with a 77.4-kWh battery pack. The rear-drive model is EPA-rated rated at up to 310 miles. Opt for the high-performance GT and the range drops to a measly 206 miles per charge. We took an all-wheel-drive Wind model on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route and measured 230 miles of real-world highway driving range before the battery needed to be recharged; the most powerful GT model provided a highway range of 190 miles. Along with an operating voltage of 800, Kia says its battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in under 18 minutes when plugged into a 350-kW fast-charger. We tested this claim and confirmed that it’s for real. This same setup is also said to add 70 miles in less than 5 minutes. The 11-kW onboard charger is expected to refill the battery from 10 to 100 percent in 7 hours when hooked up to a Level 2 outlet.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
Every single-motor EV6 has a combined EPA rating of up to 117 MPGe; the dual-motor variant is rated at 109 MPGe on with the standard 19-inch wheels and 96 MPGe when rolling on the optional 2os. Go for the high-performance GT model, and the combined estimate drops to 79 MPGe. For more information on the EV6’s fuel economy, visit the EPA website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The EV6’s design and layout are not as daring on the inside as the outside, but the configuration and features look attractive and futuristic. Although the center console doesn’t slide back and forth and there are no front-seat footrests like there are on the Ioniq 5, the EV6 mixes high-tech content such as a digitized dashboard with practical elements such as a floating center console with copious storage solutions and a large bin underneath it. Other touches that stand out are the two-tone, two-spoke steering wheel, the prominent start button on the center console, and the tastefully placed gold accents throughout the cockpit. The EV6 has a flat floor and a wheelbase as long as the three-row, mid-size Kia Telluride, so passenger space is generous. There are also 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 54 cubes total with the rear seatbacks folded flat. There’s more storage space under the front trunk too, but it’s not as big as expected.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The infotainment system runs through a 12.0-inch touchscreen that’s an extension of the EV6’s 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster. However, the design and performance of the menu structure and navigation are unimpressive. Along with the ability to accept over-the-air updates and respond to myriad voice commands, the system includes popular features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Additionally, the stereo can be upgraded to a Meridian unit with 14 speakers.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Kia packs the EV6 with a variety of standard driver-assistance technology that includes automated emergency braking and automatic high beams. Several other optional assists can be added for an even safer experience. For more information about the EV6’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- ● Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- ● Standard adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist
- ● Available remote parking assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Kia provides one of the best warranty plans in the industry. Unfortunately, unlike Hyundai, it doesn’t come with any complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- ● Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- ● Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- ● No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Kia EV6 GT
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $62,695/$63,400
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC; Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC; Combined Power: 576 hp; Combined Torque: 545 lb-ft; Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 77.4 kWh; Onboard Charger: 10.9 kW; Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 240 kW; Transmissions: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink; Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc; Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV 255/40R-21 102Y
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 60.8 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/48 ft3
Cargo Volume, behind F/R: 50/24 ft3
Curb Weight: 4772 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.2 sec
100 mph: 8.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.6 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.2 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 161 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 159 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.92 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Observed: 74 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 80 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 190 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 79/85/74 MPGe
Range: 206 mi
2022 Kia EV6 Long Range RWD
Vehicle Type: rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $48,795/$53,985
Options: GT-Line trim (sunroof, Highway Driving Assist 2, park assist, HomeLink, auto-dimming rearview mirror), $4200; Steel Matte Gray paint, $695; GT-Line Suede Seat package, $295
POWERTRAIN
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 225 hp, 258 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 77.4 kWh
Onboard Charger: 10.9 kW
Transmission: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in solid disc
Tires: Kumho Crugen HP71 EV
235/55R-19 101H
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 60.8 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/48 ft3
Cargo Volume, behind F/R: 50/24 ft3
Curb Weight: 4395 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.2 sec @ 93 mph
100 mph: 18.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 118 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 168 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 117/134/101 MPGe
Range: 310 mi
