The Best Value of a Broad Lineup
Kia’s best-selling EV delivers excellent value, cutting-edge styling and a variety of configurations.
In 2022, Kia introduced the EV6, a 2nd generation-dedicated EV crossover built on the Hyundai/Kia/Genesis Electric-Global-Modular Platform (E-GMP). This platform is the basis for several new lines of Kia EVs. The EV6 has EPA ranges of up to 310 miles and quick charging rates with its cutting-edge 800-volt architecture. Five versions of the EV6 are available with two different batteries, rear or all-wheel drive, and between 167 and 576 hp. The range-topping EV6 GT AWD model with 676 HP has a Porsche-level performance of 0-60 in 3.2 seconds.
What Is the EV6?
The EV6 is a 5-door midsize crossover that sits on a 114.2-inch wheelbase. It’s available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. For 2024, the EV6 has two battery options–a 58 kWh or 77.4 kWh lithium-Ion battery. Depending on your needs or budget, there is an EV6 for everyone. RWD EV6s deliver the best range, and AWD EV6s provide the best all-weather traction and performance at a minor penalty in range, with an EPA range of 232 miles for the Short Range Light, 310 for the Long Range Light, Wind and GT-Line, 282 miles for the AWD Wind, 252 miles for the AWD GT-Line and 218 miles for the performance GT AWD. The Wind and GT-Line versions also have a decent towing capacity of 2300 lbs. (Our earlier road test are linked above).
The version that Clean Fleet Report tested this time was the high-trim EV6 RWD “GT-Line.” It represents the best value EV6 with a full complement of luxury and advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), the best range (310 EPA-estimated miles), and peppy performance (0-60 in 7.2 seconds.)
With the E-GMP platform, the EV6 is in the top tier of all BEVs today. Its 800-volt charging architecture can take full advantage of 350 kW fast chargers. Our EV6 charged its 77.4 kWh battery from 45% to 100% in less than 12 minutes. Those who charge at home will also appreciate the speedy L2 onboard-charging rate of 11 kW. The EV6 designers made the body as slippery as possible, which allowed our test car to achieve an excellent efficiency of 3.8 miles/Kw on the highway with the adaptive cruise control activated.
A Cutting Edge Full-Featured Cockpit
The first thing you notice with the EV6 cockpit is its futuristic and airy interior. The dashboard is dominated by 12.3-inch panoramic displays for the driver’s controls and infotainment, giving the illusion of one continuous display. Below the center display is an innovative control strip with analog knobs and digital touch controls that toggle between the dual-zone HVAC controls and the multimedia controls. At first, it isn’t apparent, but once you figure out the toggle function, it works and declutters the controls.
The EV 6 has many convenient features, including navigation with automatic updates, a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system and wireless phone charging. Apple CarPlay, Android Audio, five USB ports and a WI-FI hotspot provide connectivity.
The EV6 has a power tailgate, power driver and front passenger vegan leather seats that are heated and cooled, and AWD models include a range-extending heat pump and a heated steering wheel.
The spacious interior boasts a total interior volume of 103 cubic feet (cu. ft.) and cargo space of 24.4/50.2 cu. ft. with the seats up or down, about the same size as the larger Kia Telluride.
The EV6 has an innovative V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) feature with two 115v power outlets, one under the rear seat and the other with an L2 charger port adapter.
Safety Technology
The EV6 has an extensive standard ADAS list. Included are rear cross-traffic alert, front collision warning, rear collision prevention, steering, lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning.
Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is standard, as is rear-collision prevention, rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot detection. A head-up display, blind-spot/surround view monitor and remote parking assist are available. The GT-Line includes an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR-HUD).
How Does It Drive
The solid body construction, a low center of gravity from the battery placement and impressive aerodynamics make the EV6 a joy to drive.
As with all EVs today, the EV6 is heavy, with curb weights ranging from 4,255 to 4,502 pounds, depending on trim and powertrain. Around 1,060 lbs. are in the battery under the flat cabin floor. Combining that with a fully independent 4-wheel suspension gives the EV6 a solid, confident ride. The ride is compliant and firm, but never choppy or harsh. It was enjoyable and never fatiguing for highway driving, providing a super quiet ride (60 dBA @ 70 mph).
With a top speed of 117 mph, the AWD version is close to the performance BMW i4 M50 we recently tested. In looking at the current crop of new EVs on the market today, it ranks in the top BEVs along with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, VW ID4 and the Tesla Model Y. This BEV can stand toe-to-toe with just about any mid-priced 5-door conventional ICE crossover on the market today. The EV6 is one excellent EV crossover from price/value to quality and performance.
2022 Kia EV6 Specifications
- Performance – 167-676 HP HP-258-545 pound-feet of torque (RWD-AWD)
- 0-60 8.0 (Light Short Range) – ~3.4 seconds (GT AWD)
- Powertrain – single or dual AC synchronous permanent magnet motor, 1-speed transmission, RWD or AWD
- EPA Range – 218/310 EPA mile depending on trim and drivetrain
- Weight – 3,984/4,795 pounds depending on trim and drivetrain
- Battery – 58/77.4 kW lithium-ion battery
- Price – $53,365, as tested + $1,325 destination charge (GT-Line RWD) = $54,690
- Price range:
- EV6 Light RWD – $42,600
- EV6 Light Long-Range RWD – $45,950
- EV6 Light Long-Range AWD – $49,850
- EV6 Wind RWD – $48,700
- EV6 Wind AWD – $52,600
- EV6 GT-Line RWD – $52,900
- EV6 GT-Line AWD – $57,600
- EV6 GT AWD – $61,600
The Kia EV6 suffers from the issues that all EVs face in today’s market.
New Market Dynamics
In 2024, the EV market faces a perfect storm of issues, including inconsistent demand, high interest rates and uncertain long-term values. Depending on your side of the EV picture, these issues could be positive or negative.
Demand for all EVs has cratered in 2024, and dealers’ lots are full of unsold vehicles. This situation’s roots are the high interest rates used to control inflation in the US, which has affected anything that needs financing.
New owners who are coming from a traditional ICE vehicle and are buying their first BEV have found that issues like charging and range have not been quite what they were expecting and that owning an EV is not the “mindless” experience they are used to. Some new owners are deciding that EVs are not for them and have traded them for more conventional cars. This situation has caused a glut of low-mileage late-model EVs to flood the used car market and has caused the depreciation rates for these vehicles to skyrocket. For many EVs, including the otherwise outstanding EV6, the deprecation rates can now top 30-40 % for a two-year-old EV.
Inflation issues are not good news for existing BEV owners, but this is an excellent buying opportunity for someone comfortable with a BEV. New EV6s can be had for 4-5% and more under MSRP today, and a two-year-old EV6, which is very similar to a 2024 EV6, can be had for about $20K under its original MSRP. The downside for new EV purchases is that many federal and state incentives are only available for a select number of BEVs. But for used BEVs, further incentives are available from a dealership at the time of purchase.
The Kia EV6 Has Raised the Bar
Our 2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD was the higher-range version of the EV6 line. It was exceptionally well-appointed, had cutting-edge technology and performed excellently. The EV6 has head-turning looks, excellent quality, advanced, state-of-the-art technology, well-thought-out aerodynamics and top-of-the-heap workmanship.
It stays up with interstate traffic and has a range that rivals the ICE crossovers. It can take advantage of the most powerful fast chargers available today, making recharging times rival waiting in line at Costco. It’s a mainstream EV crossover that acts like a luxury premium EV. It’s got plenty of room and can seat five adults comfortably. If an EV works for your needs and lifestyle, then this is the EV you need to consider above all.
Story and photos by Gary Lieber.
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