Kia

EV6

The Kia EV6 is a fully electrified SUV-styled family car that offers a driving range of more than 300 miles between charges. It is dynamic to look at and has performance capabilities to match.

The good

Style, handling and driving range

The bad

Expensive for a Kia

Tech Specs

Price from

£45,575

Combined Fuel up to

Driving range up to 361 miles

0-62 from

5.3 seconds

max speed up to

116mph

co2 from

0g/km

Test Drive

Kia EV6 – First Drive (2024)

It’s unbelievable to think Kia’s EV6 is already getting a facelift, but almost three years after its debut here in the UK, the 2024 model has arrived with a fresh look, upgraded tech and an extended driving range.

Thanks to a new fourth-generation 84kWh battery, which offers an 8.5 per cent boost in capacity, the EV6 can now travel further and charge faster.

In addition, style-wise, the latest EV6 boasts a new-look front end with a futuristic design that includes sleek daytime running lights with Kia’s new Star Map signature, enhanced interior fixtures and fittings, fingerprint recognition technology, and extensive safety upgrades.

Buyers can select between two powertrain options with either 225bhp rear-wheel-drive models or 320bhp all-wheel-drive versions, and the line-up is offered in three well-equipped trims called Air, GT-Line, and GT-Line S – with prices starting at £45,575. We opted to test out the all-singing GT-Line S model with dual motors for all-wheel drive.

Eye-catching features on our model included those new signature lights at the front and rear of the car, a rear spoiler, privacy glass, GT-Line S badging, a sunroof with tilt-and-slide functionality, along with stunning 20-inch alloys.

Step inside, and the cabin feels more high-end than many premium brands but the Kia has a far more attractive asking price. The seats, which are powered and can be heated or ventilated, are upholstered in black artificial suede with white leather side bolsters. They look gorgeous and the light-coloured steering wheel, inspired by the larger EV9, can also be heated along with the outer rear seats.

All old gloss black surfaces that were prone to fingerprint smudges have been ditched and replaced with a brushed, textured finish, and the ambient lighting has been upgraded too. The dashboard features two 12.3-inch screens that seamlessly merge behind a single curved glass panel which are easy to see and operate on the fly.

The left screen provides access to features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sat nav and a premium 14-speaker Meridian sound system, while the right screen displays key driving data such as range, speed, and battery charge levels. There’s also a customisable head-up display and separate climate controls with haptic feedback buttons for ease of use.

The rear-wheel-drive versions offer 225bhp and 350Nm of torque, delivering a range of 361 miles (Air), 339 miles (GT-Line), or 347 miles (GT-Line S).

If you’re looking for added power then the AWD models, with dual motors, generate 320bhp and 605Nm of torque. Our GT-Line S model could accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 116mph. But the range takes a bit of a hit on the AWD cars with 339 miles for GT-Line and 324 miles for the range-topping GT-Line S.

So, it’s fair to say the EV6 is quick off the mark, and thanks to its low centre of gravity, it handles confidently, even through winding country roads. It’s equally comfortable on fast-paced motorways, cruising smoothly at 70mph and joining from a slip road is made all the easier thanks to the instant power and acceleration that an EV delivers.

Then in busier stop-and-go town traffic, the regenerative braking system – with six levels to choose from, including an auto and i-pedal mode – makes driving simpler and more enjoyable.

The all-round visibility is good although the rear screen is quite narrow due to the dynamic styling of the car. Then there are the drive modes, called Normal, Eco, Sport, My Drive, and Snow that can be easily accessed via a button on the steering wheel. These tailor the car’s dynamics to different driving conditions with Sport mode, in particular, sharpening the handling for a more engaging experience.

The ride comfort is first class, with the suspension doing an excellent job of smoothing out rough roads, and the cabin remains impressively quiet, adding to the overall refinement.

The EV6, which stretches almost 4.7 metres in length, also covers practicality bases well with a spacious cabin that has ample room for five. Three adults could fit across the rear seats but ideally it’s best suited to youngsters, especially on longer journeys. The completely flat floor means the middle passenger doesn’t have to straddle a large transmission hump which is also a bonus.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and our  GT-Line S model had 480 litres of boot space, which is 10 litres less than the other trims due to the presence of a Meridian subwoofer. But lower the 60:40 split-folding rear seats and the capacity expands to 1,300 litres. A front trunk provides an additional 20 litres of storage, which increases to 52 litres on the RWD models.

In addition, there are plenty of practical areas throughout the cabin for bits and pieces, including a large glovebox, a centre storage area, seat-back pockets, door bins, front and rear cup holders and a wireless charging pad.

And speaking of charging, the 84kWh battery can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes using a 350kW fast charger. A 50kW charger takes 1 hour and 16 minutes, while an 11kW wallbox will fully charge the battery in 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Although not cheap, the EV6 offers excellent value with its premium build quality and generous array of features. Kia also provides one of the best warranties in the industry – seven years or 100,000 miles, with an eight-year warranty on the battery and motors.

All in all, the new 2024 Kia EV6 has taken an award-winning formula and refined it without alienating its loyal fanbase. With sharper styling, improved range, and better performance, it remains a strong contender in the electric vehicle market. The cabin updates, use of additional sustainable materials, and intuitive technology make it feel premium, while the driving dynamics ensure it’s still fun and engaging to drive.

Test Drive

Kia EV6 – First Drive (2021)

Kia has launched a stunning all-new electric vehicle and it boasts a choice of trims, impressive driving ranges between charges, fast charging and even a competitive price-tag.

It’s called the EV6 and has been developed as part of a collaboration between all three studios in Kia’s global design network including Korea, Germany and the US.

Owners can select from two powertrains – a 226bhp rear-wheel drive single motor version or a 321bhp all-wheel drive dual motor model. In addition, at launch there are three trims levels on offer called Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S with a high performance GT flagship joining the range at a later date.

The EV6 is priced from £40,945 to £51,945 (OTR) and, with a driving range from 300 to 328 miles between charges, range anxiety should be non-existent.

It features a crossover-inspired design with Kia’s traditional tiger nose face with sleek daytime running lights, a distinctive grille for the electrified era, bold rear haunches, a swept back windscreen, a rear spoiler and the option of 19 or 20-inch alloy wheels.

There is a strong emphasis on sustainability with the likes of vegan leather upholstery, along with sections of the dashboard and centre console that feature recycled plastics with 107 plastic 500ml water bottles used in each car.

On-board technology is impressive across the entire range too with a wealth of creature comforts to explore. These include, depending on trim, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, twin 12.3-inch touchscreens with a curved panoramic display, a head-up display, a wireless mobile charger and remote parking assist.

The car has a clutter-free feel to it with a minimal number of physical buttons. Instead the likes of the climate control and infotainment and navigation systems are accessed via a dedicated screen with haptic feel buttons. This is far simpler than complicated drop-down touchscreen menus and causes less driver distraction.

GT-Line and GT-Line S models are available with both rear- and all-wheel drive – the later offering extra grip in poorer driving conditions.

The RWD EV6 has a driving range of up to 328 miles on a single charge and the battery delivers a power output of 226bhp with torque of 350Nm. It can sprint from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and maxes out at 114mph. The AWD versions with a dual motor have 321bhp on tap with 605Nm of torque. They can reach 62mph from a standing start in just 5.2 seconds and have a maximum speed of 114mph. AWD versions have a driving range of up to 314 miles between charges.

The battery pack is positioned beneath the cabin floor between the axles which not only opens up extra space within the cabin, but also helps give the car a low centre of gravity. And that in turn has a knock on effect when it comes to performance.

We tested the EV6 GT-Line S model with AWD powered by the 77.4kWh battery. This car was priced at £51,945 and not only looked stunning, but offered performance ability to match.

The acceleration is blisteringly quick and there is always ample power to overtake at short notice. There is a choice of drive modes with Sport offering a truly dynamic experience sharpening up the throttle considerably. There are various levels of regenerative braking to capture energy along the way, with single pedal driving also a possibility.

The car is perfectly balanced through the B roads where it can be unleashed and on motorways it reaches the national speed limit in the blink of an eye – it is that quick.

With fine-tuned steering offering great precision and agility, the EV6 is engaging to drive and the suspension set-up has been engineered to deliver a sportier driving experience.

And special mention to the new look infotainment screens that are modern, clear and exceptionally stylish in their layout and design.

The cabin remains beautifully refined with very little noise filtering through thanks to sound absorbent materials in the doors, wheel arches, floor and boot lid.

In addition, the speaker system delivers a clever active sound that matches the speed the car is travelling at and drivers can select from three levels, adjust the volume or turn it off completely.

There is bundles of space within the EV6 with room for a trio of back seat occupants – the lack of any central tunnel is good news for the passenger in the middle seat.

Storage options are impressive too with the EV6 able to swallow 490 litres of luggage – a limit that increases to 1,300 litres with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. The capacity is 480 litres on the GT-Line S models due to the Meridian sound system’s sub-woofer eating into boot space.

There is also a front boot or frunk as it’s known and this can hold an additional 52 litres of kit on RDW cars or 20 litres on AWD models.

Within the cabin there are a number of convenient storage options, including a large glovebox, a huge centre storage tray, front and rear cup holders and a charging pad on all apart from EV6 Air versions.

And with family breaks in mind and little fear of range anxiety, the EV6 makes the ideal vehicle to tow a caravan with a weight limit of 1.6 tonnes.

Safety features are comprehensive too with more kit added as you move up through the trim levels. Expect to see the likes of forward collision avoidance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, highway driving assistance, lane follow assist, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision avoidance, rear-cross traffic alert and a system to automatically park the vehicle in a tight space.

All EV6 models are supplied with a five-metre Type 2 to Type-2 charger as well as a Type 2 to domestic three-pin plug charger as standard. The car has an innovative multi high-speed charging system which gives it access to a broader charging infrastructure. It is compatible with both 800v ultra-fast charging and more mainstream 400v fast charging without any special adaptor needed.

Stopping at an 800V charger sees the battery boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes. Of course there are other alternative charging options. Via a 50kW charger it takes 1 hour and 13 minutes, or to a full 100 per cent using a 7kW home charger can be achieved in seven hours and 20 minutes.

All in all, the Kia EV6 is a very impressive newcomer. It looks striking, drives beautifully, is packed with tech and offers a great driving range between charges – all for a price that will raise a few eyebrows too.

And there will be more to follow before too long as Kia has announced that the EV6 is the first of 11 new fully electric vehicles to be launched by the company by 2026.