Kia EV6 review

Kia EV6 verdict

It already looked like something capable of interplanetary exploration, but a midlife revamp has kept the Kia EV6 firmly in the space race even as newer rivals keep on coming. While it’s a little less practical and spacious than its Hyundai Ioniq 5 sibling, this boldly styled EV is still one of the more impressive options on the market.

Although some rivals offer more official battery range, we’ve found Kia’s quoted figures to be pretty accurate in the real world, plus the EV6 still offers some of the fastest charging speeds of any electric car. All versions of the Kia are pretty brisk and it remains one of the better electric family cars to drive. If you don’t mind the high insurance premiums, you’ll find there’s a lot to like about the EV6, and its seven-year warranty only sweetens the deal.

Range details, specs and alternatives

A sister car to the equally striking Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 is a futuristic-looking amalgamation of a family hatchback and fashionable electric SUV. It arrived all the way back in 2021, but a facelift in 2024 has brought this distinctive EV back up to speed with its younger competitors.

The competition is fierce, too, because the EV6 starts from over £45,000, meaning it strays into premium car territory, especially as you move upwards through the line-up. Family EVs such as the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Ariya, Audi Q4 e-tron, Renault Scenic and Toyota bZ4X are all firmly on the Kia’s radar, while its sister models, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60, only add to the pressure. 

There are two powertrains to choose from in the core Kia EV6 line-up. The first is a rear-wheel-drive, single-motor set-up, which produces 225bhp. For those who want a bit more performance, the alternative is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain that develops 320bhp. For maximum performance, there’s also the hot Kia EV6 GT, for which we have a separate in-depth review.

Both options are powered by the same 84kWh battery pack, and this replaced a smaller 77.4kWh unit as part of the car’s mid-life refresh. Because of its new, bigger battery, the RWD EV6 can cover up to 361 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. The AWD model drops slightly to a maximum of 339 miles. These figures can fall further, though, depending on your chosen trim level and wheel size.

24

There are three trim levels to choose from with the EV6: Air, GT-Line or GT-Line S. The entry-level Air model is only available in rear-wheel-drive form, while the other two have the choice of either powertrain. All cars get twin screens for the infotainment, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as heated front seats and a heated steering wheel trimmed in a vegan leather alternative. 

Stepping up to GT-Line costs from £3,000 to £5,000 over Air, depending on powertrain. This model adds in adaptive dual-LED headlights, an electronically adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, wireless phone charging, relaxation seats and dual-LED headlights with auto high beam. A number of GT-Line design tweaks are also applied both inside and out.

As you’d expect, the range-topping GT-Line S comes fully loaded with features including an opening glass roof, a powered tailgate, a Meridian stereo and a head-up display. These cars also get extra driver aids, as well as remote park assist. You’ll pay around £5,000 more than the equivalent GT-Line to upgrade.

Every version of the EV6 also benefits from Kia’s V2L charging system, which means you can run things like electric barbecues, laptop chargers or even a washing machine off the car’s battery. In theory, you could even charge another EV, or run power back into the grid if your supplier supports this.