Review: 2022 Kia EV6

Kia's latest flagship electric model, the EV6, has arrived. It's fully electric, futuristic, stylish, and fast.

This advanced Kia is breaking boundaries and looks the part. We took it for an exhilarating yet silent drive.

Initial Impressions

Most people's initial response upon seeing the all-new Kia EV6 is "I've never seen anything like this before". Few vehicles exude as much futuristic appeal as the Kia EV6, with its sleek lines, striking appearance, and remarkable rear design.

It's not a hatchback, nor is it a coupe; it's a crossover with the space inside of a small SUV. There are plenty of very interesting features we haven't seen on any Kia before, which is what makes this the brand's newest halo car.

Driving it is an experience in itself, being fully electric. It's whisper-quiet yet very fast. Combined with a high-tech, minimalist interior, it makes you feel like you're going into hyperspace.

Driveability

Driving an electric car is an exhilarating experience, especially with the Kia EV6.

The entry-level Air model runs off a single motor that delivers a satisfying 168kW/350Nm to the rear wheels but it obviously isn't as fast as the dual motor GT-Line that we got to test drive. The combined output of motors on each of the front and rear axles puts out a hefty 239kW of power and 605Nm of torque for a 0-100 km/h time of just over 5 seconds!

What you do get in the Air is a range of 528km from its 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery, whereas the GT-Line has to make do with 484km range. I guess this is the price you pay for its thrilling performance figures plus some additional equipment like the 20-inch alloys. The EV6 offers a driving experience that is very tight, with a low center of gravity and sharp cornering.

The entire range of Kia vehicles comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of active safety technology as standard. This includes autonomous emergency braking with intersection support, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane following assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and a centre airbag positioned between the front occupants.

The EV6 boasts an impressive 800V charging capability. While 800V charging stations are not yet widely available, the EV6 is future-proofed. With a standard 350kW charger, you can recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes. This rapid charging capability eliminates range anxiety and minimizes long stopovers.

Liveability

When you step inside the Kia EV6, it feels like you're entering the future. The interior design is similar to the Sorento and Sportage, but in the EV6, it looks even more futuristic and sleek. It has a minimalistic look, but doesn't skimp on options.

The curved display, with dual 12.3-inch screens, is an eye-catching feature. It shows all available information and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with satellite navigation and DAB+ radio. Dual-zone climate control is also standard across the range.The curved display, with dual 12.3-inch screens, is an eye-catching feature. It shows all available information and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with satellite navigation and DAB+ radio. Dual-zone climate control is also standard across the range.

The EV6 is packed with technology features, including a 360-degree camera, a 14-speaker sound system, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. The Blind-Spot View Monitor projects a camera feed from the side mirrors into the instrument cluster when the indicators are activated, which is very cool. Additionally, there's the Remote Smart Park Assist, which allows the EV6 to be driven in and out of a parking space from the key fob while you stand outside.

Our GT-Line, in all-wheel drive trim, also offers a sunroof. It looks especially good with the metallic white paint job. You won't get a sunroof in the Air model, but both versions come standard with a wireless charging pad, two USB-C ports up front, and two more USB-C ports for the second row. There's also a 12V plug up front, which is always useful.

The boot space of the Air variant measures 490 litres with the second row in use, while GT-Line models have 480 litres. The higher grade loses ten litres due to the added subwoofer from the Meridian premium audio system. In addition, there is an extra storage cubby under the bonnet, adding 52 litres of cargo capacity for rear-wheel drive models and 20 litres for all-wheel drive models.

Pricing

The starting price for Kia's new flagship car is around $72,000 for the entry-level Air model, increasing to just under $80,000 for the rear-wheel-drive GT-Line, and reaching up to around $88,000 for the top-of-the-range GT-Line with all-wheel drive. The latter two models also include features such as heated and ventilated seats, power-adjustable driver’s seat, power tailgate, and leather seat trim with suede inserts.

Kia provides a standard seven-year warranty for the EV6, with 'high-voltage parts' covered for seven years or up to 150,000km. At the time of purchase, customers have the option to prepay for servicing with three packages available: three years for $594, five years for $1089, and seven years for $1584. On a seven-year plan, this averages out to around $226 per year.

Conclusion

The Kia EV6 has a striking appearance, from the LED headlights to the curved taillights. It sets a high standard for electric vehicles and cars in general. Its futuristic exterior is complemented by a spacious and well-finished interior, providing ample room for passengers and their belongings. Additionally, it offers fast driving capabilities without concerns about range or charging time.

With the EV6, Kia is introducing the next generation of not only its lineup, but also the future of electric vehicles as a whole. We are excited to be part of it!