First drive review: Kia EV6

Sunday, 3 April 2022

Kia's latest design language is called 'Opposites United', first seen on the new EV6.

KIA EV6
Price range: $72,990 to $106,990
Powertrains: Permanent magnet synchronous motor (two in Earth and GT-Line) with either a 58kWh or 77.4kWh battery with 125kW/350Nm (58kWh/2WD models) to 239kW/605Nm (77.4kWh/AWD models), 2WD or AWD.

While Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 is blatantly retro, Kia has gone for a sleeker, more wagon-like look for its E-GMP platform-based EV6.

Body style: Five-door SUV (yes, really)
On sale: Now

The Kia’s interior doesn’t scream ‘I’m an EV!’ (thankfully), but it is beautifully made and packs some very high-quality materials, as well as lots of tech.

The EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated EV (ie; no ICE or hybrid variants) and it has been getting rave reviews all around the world, as well as picking up numerous awards. And now it is here – so how does it measure up on New Zealand roads? We find out.

Make me an instant expert: what do I need to know?

Kia’s angular new logo looks far more at home on the EV6’s nose.

Because the EV6 is based on the same E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture as its cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, it shares the same essential powertrain technology, including two battery sizes – the Kia’s Long range battery is slightly larger than the Hyundai’s (77.4kWh versus 72.6kWh), but the Ioniq 5’s first update will see it get the larger size too – as well as 800-volt charging technology (10-80 per cent in 18 minutes on a Hyper Charger) and a choice of rear-drive or all-wheel drive models.

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The EV6 is available in Air, Earth and GT-Line models. We only got to drive the top-spec GT-Line at the launch.

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The EV6 is equipped with V2L and V2V charging, meaning it can be used to power electrical equipment and appliances, or even charge another EV. If you are feeling generous.

Also like the Hyundai, the Kia EV6 comes with “Vehicle-to-Load” (V2L) and “Vehicle-to-Vehicle” (V2V) connectivity, meaning that you can power other electronic devices (like a fridge if, for some reason, you wanted to) or even another EV from an adaptor that plugs into the charging port. An addition over the Hyundai is a three-pin plug inside the cabin as well, making it technically possible to charge two other EVs from an EV6.

There are only two options available for the EV6: the sunroof on the GT-Line model and the ‘Moonscape’ matte paint on the car we drove. Which is $1450 and totally worth it.

The EV6 will initially come to New Zealand in Air, Earth and GT-Line guises, with the Air model being RWD single motor models, while the Earth and GT-Line models are an AWD dual motor setup. The two Air models are eligible for the Clean Car rebate, with the Standard Range model kicking off the range at $72,990, while the Long Range lands at $78,990.

It pays to mention that Kia’s prices don’t include On Road costs (ORC), so it may pay to double-check with your dealer that the ORCs on the Long Range are less than $1010 on the Long Range, as it will need to be less than $80k including ORCs to be eligible for the rebate…

Even though the EV6 is technically classified as a medium SUV, it doesn’t really look like one...

The Air models come standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, a full suite of safety and driver assists, adaptive cruise control, cloth and artificial leather seat trim, keyless entry, satellite navigation, a 12.3-inch digital dash display and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, dual zone climate control, tyre pressure monitoring, a powered tailgate, wireless phone charging and LED lights all round.

Both have a single electric motor on the rear axle, while the Standard Range gets a 58.0kWh battery and a 394km WLTP-tested range, and the Long Range packs a 77.4kWh battery and a 528km range.

The $94,990 Earth and $106,990 GT-Line models get the larger battery and a second motor at the front, with a 484km range.

The Earth adds blind spot monitoring, remote smart parking, a 360 degree around view monitor, an augmented reality head up display, front ‘premium relaxation’ seats, vegan leather seat trim and heated front seats and steering wheel to the Air spec, while the GT-Line then adds 20-inch alloy wheels, forward collision avoidance assist, adaptive headlights, ventilated front seats, suede seat trim, active sound design, interior mood lighting and a premium Meridian audio system on top of that.

A sunroof is a further $3000 option on the GT-Line only.

Where did you drive it?

The coastal roads between Clevedon and Miranda just out of Auckland were where we got our first taste of the EV6 on Kiwi roads.

Anyone familiar with those roads will know that they aren’t exactly what you would call ‘smooth’ or ‘pleasant in any way’, so proved to be a good test for Kia’s claim that the EV6 has a ‘local’ suspension tune courtesy of engineers based in Australia who select the local settings.

Our biggest gripe with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was its brittle ride on large wheels, so the Kia could have been a horror show on those roads, but Kia’s local setup proved to be a revelation. We only drove the top-spec (so far) GT-Line on its 20-inch alloys, but the ride quality was very impressive, and a vast improvement over the Hyundai.

The EV6 also felt more nimble and responsive than the Ioniq 5 as well, disguising its considerable size (its 2900mm wheelbase is longer than that of the Sorento SUV) and weight better than the Hyundai, while steering was pleasantly weighted and nicely accurate.

Acceleration is suitably brisk in the GT-Line, with its 239kW and 605Nm enough to propel it to 100kmh from a standing start in 5.2sec. While it is the performance flag bearer for now, a full-fat GT model is incoming, packing a 430kW and 740Nm powertrain that will slash the 0 to 100 sprint time down to 3.5 seconds.

What’s the pick of the range?

We only got to sample the GT-Line model on the launch, but the impressive ride on the large wheels promises exceptionally good things from the other models that all run on smaller 19-inch wheels.

The RWD Air models that slip in under the rebate cap look extremely promising, coming with a high level of standard kit for the money asked, while that upcoming 430kW GT could well be utterly amazing…

But overall, the EV6 was a seriously capable package in GT-Line guise. While it may not quite pack the visual appeal of the Ioniq 5 (although that will depend on your personal tastes – and the Kia still looks great), like the Hyundai, it is a remarkably high quality offering that easily rivals equivalent European EVs.

Why would I buy it?

You don’t want an SUV. Even though it is technically classed as a medium SUV, the EV6 looks way more like a sleek wagon/hatch hybrid with lines that come off even better in the metal than they do in pics.

You would also buy it if you want an extremely capable car with plenty of space, assertive performance and a level of quality that takes things right up to the Euros, as well as tow 1.6 tonnes on a braked trailer. Oh, and you might also buy it because it is an EV, I guess…

Why wouldn’t I buy it?

Like the Ioniq 5, it is a surprisingly large car and, while it quite literally can park itself, it still might be a bit much for some, particularly the width.