The first dedicated all-electric vehicle from Kia is the EV6. Designed from the ground up as an electric-only vehicle, the EV6 shares a platform with corporate relatives, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Genesis GV60.
Although these three models have some related underpinnings, they each are distinctive. The Genesis GV60 is ultra-luxurious, the Ioniq 5 is futuristic and the EV6 is the most conventional of the bunch.
The Kia EV6 and the Genesis GV60 each sit on a 2,900 mm (114 in) wheelbase, while the Ioniq 5 has a slightly longer 3,000 mm (118 in) wheelbase. The Kia EV6 is the longest of the group, at 4,680 mm (184 in).
Styling preferences are very personal and subjective, but, to me, the EV6 is very attractive and sleek, without any elements that come across as outlandish, excessive or bizarre. There’s nothing extreme about the styling of the EV6, and I think it will be the top choice for people who want an all-electric crossover but don’t want to draw attention. The decision really depends on whether you want your vehicle to blend in with others in the parking lot or stand out from everything else. The EV6 is more traditionally styled than its corporate cousins.
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Inside, there are two large screens. The one directly in front of the driver provides readouts on speed and battery life, while the one in the middle handles navigation, entertainment, and heating and air conditioning. They can be configured in several ways, depending on the information the driver wants or needs to know.
I found the controls on the EV6 not nearly as intuitive as those on the Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60.
At one point, during my summer test drive, the heated seat and heated steering wheel came on – both for no apparent reason. I couldn’t find out why they came on or how to turn them off. Eventually, I found the correct switches, right on the front of the console – but it certainly wasn’t obvious.
The navigation screen was more difficult to use than those on other vehicles I’ve driven.
Some skeptics don’t like electric vehicles for various reasons, including the short range that is reduced even further in cold weather, and long charging times. But technology is continuously improving.
Kia offers a wide range of choices for the EV6, depending on range, power and whether it’s two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. In all, there are five models.
The base model, which starts at $44,955 in Canada, is RWD SR, which means rear-wheel-drive and standard range. It produces 167 horsepower and has a range of 373 km.
Next up, starting at $52,995, is the RWD Long Range, which has 225 hp and a range of 499 km – as well as a few more safety and luxury features.
Then comes the AWD Long Range at $54,995. It is all-wheel drive, has 320 hp, and has a range of 441 km. An additional $3,000 gets the AWD LR with GT-Line Package, which includes special styling and luxury touches and is slightly longer, at 4,695 mm (185 in). The drivetrain is unchanged, producing 320 hp and the range remains at 441 km.
The top model – which starts at $61,955 – is the AWD LR with GT-Line Package 2. It includes such goodies as 20-inch wheels, a power sunroof, auto flush door handles, heated rear seats, air-cooled front seats and a Meridian premium studio system. Power and range are unchanged.
As Canadian drivers make the move to all-electric vehicles, the Kia EV6 will no doubt be popular with those looking for a stylish but not extreme crossover – especially with such a wide choice of power and range.
Dale Johnson is an award-winning author, broadcaster and journalist who has worked in TV, radio, print and online. While the manufacturer provided Dale with a vehicle to test drive, the content of this review was not reviewed or accepted by the manufacturer.
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