Kia EV6 Review 2023
The Kia EV6 is an electric crossover that sits between an estate car and an SUV. One of the most exciting electric cars on the market, the EV6 comes with fantastic on-the-road performance, an upmarket interior, and a competitive electric range.
Rivals to the Kia EV6 include the Nissan Ariya, Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Our Kia EV6 review covers:
- Minimalist exterior design that's slick and good-looking
- Premium interior featuring high-quality materials
- 490-litre boot
- One 77kWh battery available with a range of power outputs
- Four trim levels: Air, GT-Line, GT-Line S, and GT
Pros:
- Exciting on-the-road performance
- A good interior with a premium feel
- Excellent range
Cons:
- Expensive
- Suspension is quite firm
- Rear headroom is limited
The Kia EV6 is a fine-looking car, perfectly balancing a futuristic and minimalist design. Up front, there's a simple and low front grille, the roof is flat-topped but declines slightly towards the rear end, and there's a slick full-length light bar across the boot.
Inside the EV6, there's plenty of space to accommodate a family. In the front, two adults over six feet tall have plenty of leg and headroom; the same goes for children in the back. The only downside is that headroom is a bit limited for adults in the back and not as good as the Nissan Ariya.
Storage space is also good. You'll find all the usual compartments, such as door bins, cupholders, and a large bin under the central armrest.
Boot space comes in at 490 litres, which can be extended to 1,300 litres with the rear seats folded 60/40. There are some handy features, such as a square loading bay, extra under-boot storage, and a 'frunk' that's big enough for your charging cables.
If you can't already tell, Kia is no longer a cheap and cheerful brand, and the interior only furthers this claim. Inside, the EV6 has a premium edge to it, being on par with the Tesla Model Y. There are plenty of quality materials dotted about on the dashboard, and vegan leather is used on all trims, which is a nice touch for the inner environmentalist in us all.
For technology, you'll find two 12.3-inch screens on the dashboard. Behind the steering wheel is the digital instrument cluster, which is easy to see when driving and displays sharp graphics. On the dashboard is the infotainment system. This is also easy to use and features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, pipping the system used in the Volkswagen ID.4.
Four trims are available for the Kia EV6: Air, GT-Line, GT-Line S, and GT.
The entry-level Air comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and steering wheel, body-coloured exterior flush door handles, engine start/stop buttons with a smart entry system, and high-gloss black door mirrors.
GT-Line adds to this with black suede seats with white vegan leather bolsters, a wireless phone charger, dual LED headlights with an adaptive driving beam, driver and front passenger premium relaxation seats, and GT-Line exterior styling.
GT-Line S features 20-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof with tilting and sliding function, a Meridian Premium sound system with 14 speakers, an augmented reality head-up display, remote smart park assist, blind spot collision assist with rear cross-traffic assist and safe exit assist, and 360-degree surround view camera.
GT completes the range with 21-inch alloy wheels, an electronically controlled suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and neon brake callipers.
One 77kWh battery is used throughout the EV6 range, coming with various power options and available with either rear or all-wheel drive. The standard engine comes with one motor, has 225bhp, 328 miles of range, a top speed of 115mph, and 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds.
Moving up the range, you can have GT-Line and GT-Line S trims with all-wheel drive, which returns 320bhp, 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds, and a range of just over 300 miles.
The range-topping GT is the choice if you want the best performance. It's undoubtedly exciting when behind the wheel, with a whopping 577bhp, a top speed of 162mph, and 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds.
The EV6 is quick and fun to drive on the road and can handle most conditions. The suspension could be better, as small bumps and potholes are noticeable, but Kia has sacrificed this to make the EV6 more exciting to drive. Because of this, the suspension isn't as good as the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Regarding handling, the EV6 is really fun to drive down country roads. All models handle well, and the body doesn't roll much, and if you go for the all-wheel drive versions, cornering becomes box office. Get behind the wheel of the GT trim, and you're in for quite an experience.
Prices for the new Kia EV6 start from £44,495.00 OTR* or to lease from £470.80 per month.
Looking to lease the Kia EV6? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers, and we have a range of affordable leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, and all of our deals include a low initial deposit, fixed monthly payments, and a range of benefits, such as breakdown cover and road tax.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.
