Like every other auto manufacturer today, KIA is doing its all to bolster its role in the electric vehicle (EV) lineup and has revealed the new fully-electric crossover KIA EV6. It will be the first all-electric model by the Korean automaker, as the Soul EV, Niro EV is also available in the ICE.
The KIA EV6 is competing with the likes of Volkswagen ID4, Skoda Enyaq, and Nissan Ariya, and Ioniq 5 by Sister company Hyundai.
Youtube Channel and UK’s leading car comparison website’s Matt Watson reviewed the car. He called it much like the latest Galaxy fold, “because it is Korean and very high-tech.”
Platform and Performance
The EV6 is built on the same platform as its cousin, Hyundai Ioniq 5, resting on the new electric-global modular platform called E-GMP, which has the same (standard in the UK) 800-volt charging architecture and largely the same hardware and drivetrain options. All get more than 300-miles of the WLTP range.
For UK cars, the company has revealed a 77.4 kWh battery with a 328-mile range for rear-wheel drive and a 315-mile range for all-wheel drive.
The top-of-the-line car does 0-60 miles per hour, or 0-100 Km per hour in 3.5 seconds, however, Watson’s mid-ranged SUV did it in 4.8 seconds, which isn’t bad either.
Carwow claims that the car will charge 10 to 80 percent within 18 minutes.
Trims and differences
The lowest trim that is worth £40,895, according to Carwow blog, comes with a single 228hp electric motor in the rear wheels with 109-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, heated front seats, dual-zone air conditioning, and adaptive cruise control.
The mid-range trim EV6 GT-Line is available with the same single motors as the standard EV6 for £43,896 or with dual motors producing 325hp for £47,395.
The GT line comes with the same kit as the entry-level EV6, however, there are some additional features like sportier bumpers, tinted windows, adaptive headlights, blind-spot warning, and wireless smartphone charging.
The high-trim EV6 GT-Line S is priced at £48,395, and comes with either a single or dual motor, with dual costing upwards of £51,895 to the buyer. The highest trim comes with the same features as the previous ones but with additional features like 20-inch alloy wheels, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, an upgraded 14-speaker Meridian stere, and an electric-opening boot lid.
Read More: Volkswagen empowering its electric vehicles with new ID.4 GTX
The highest trim is expected to drop in next year, which would be obviously the priciest at £58,295. It will come with dual electric motors producing 585hp, 21-inch alloy wheels, more supportive sports seats, adaptive suspension, and a few extra paint options otherwise unavailable.
Exterior
Boxy car with sloping roofline as we go back is a common trend that KIA followed with its latest crossover. The rear brake lights run across the car like a light bar that curves down at both ends making for an interesting arch, which might be controversial with people, but Carwow’s Watson found it cool.
KIA is famous for its tiger nose grille in the front, however, the South Korean auto manufacturer decided to go a different route this time around. Speaking at the launch event in March, the Head of Design Karim Habib explained the new shape.
He said, “What you see [on the new EV6] is what we like to think of as the ‘digital tiger face’. As we move away from the grille that is really there to be an air intake, it’s more [a case of] how to combine all the elements in the front and how to create an identity in the front that is based on the tiger nose.”
Interior and infotainment
The SUV presents an elegant, uncluttered, simple, yet technologically advanced interior. It has a large 12-inch infotainment screen and a 12-inch digital driver’s display. The buttons for climate control can be digital or separate, and the gear is a rotary dial in the center with a somewhat wobbly armrest (according to Matt Watson)
The steering wheel is really elegant; however, some might have a problem seeing the digital display when pushed down. It, however, does don physical audio controls and cruise-controlled buttons.
Inspired by the rest of the auto manufacturers moving towards recycles plastic seats, KIA did it too, with each seat equivalent to 111 plastic bottles: so good job there!
The EV6’s cabin is guilt-free with vegan leather on some trims, and recycled plastic throughout the door panels and dashboard.
There is a lot of legroom in both the front and back of the car, however, the seats are low, which might be uncomfortable for some. The front headrest wasn’t something that Matt Watson loved, nor was the lack of headspace for tall people in the back.
He also faced some problems looking in the rearview, as the rear window is too small, but overall, a very good electric car.
The majority of the car review blogs rated EV6 as “A very good electric car”.
As Top Gear put it, “Impossible to ignore the fact that this is a well-judged, rounded, interesting and satisfying car from Kia. And it puts other manufacturers on notice; ‘good enough’ won’t cut it.”
Read More: Op-ed: Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Pakistan
Note: There is no news or report about the car being launched in Pakistan, and these features and prices are based on the international market.