Kia has some big plans for its electrified future, since it plans to launch 14 new battery electric vehicles by 2027. The first of these is the new EV6 electric crossover – a dedicated EV that shares its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Genesis GV60. Although all three EVs are built on the same E-GMP platform, it has its own unique styling and driving characteristics to help them stand out.
If you’re wondering what the differences are between the Ioniq 5 and EV6, other than the different styling, there are some big differences that sets the EV6 apart. For starters the EV6 has a 4-inch shorter wheelbase than the Ioniq 5. It also has a more dynamic driving experience than the Ioniq 5.
On the outside the EV6 stands out with its unique styling that straddles the line between a hatchback and a crossover. Its sculpted body, unique “tiger nose” grille and modern LED lighting easily makes it one of Kia’s most stylish vehicles yet.
Although Kia is calling the EV6 a crossover, it sits pretty low to the ground with only 6.4-inches of ground clearance, which is slightly higher than the Mustang Mach-E at 5.7-inches, but much lower than traditional crossovers. Although its wheelbase is shorter than the Ioniq 5, at 114.2-inches it compares to the three-row Kia Telluride. But with only two rows of seats, all that length provides quite a lot of legroom. At the rear the EV6 has 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space, which is less space than the Ioniq 5 (27.2 cubic feet).
Inside the EV6’s interior is dominated by two 12.3-inch curved displays with the new Kia Connect Infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included, but you still have to use a wire to connect. We wish wireless functionality was included. The overall look of the dashboard is clean and uncluttered, but that also brings some issues. The climate control system with its touch-capacitive buttons is clunky to use. It’s hard to make a simple adjustment without taking your eyes off the road.
The EV6 is offered in several powertrain configurations. The base EV6 is the Light model that is powered by a 58.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a single electric motor at the rear that generates 167 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. If you want more power, the EV6 Wind gets a bigger 77.4-kWh battery pack and 225 hp and 258 lb-ft. With rear-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive version adds a second electric motor on the front axle to give it a combined 320 hp and 446 lb-ft.
For buyers that want the sportiest driving experience, Kia is also going to introduce the EV6 GT later this year, which has two electric motors that generate a combined 577 hp and 546 lb-ft. Kia says that the EV6 GT can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds.
On the road it’s easy to see how Kia’s engineers placed a bit more emphasis on sport than Hyundai’s team did with the Ioniq 5. The EV6 loves to hug the road with its sportier suspension that makes it the perfect companion on twisty back country roads. The EV6 also accelerates with ease, making it feel luxurious and refined. The steering is also perfect.
No matter which version you choose, the Kia EV6 offers a great driving range. The base Light version has 232 miles of range, while the Wind has a range up to 310 miles with the larger battery. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, you can add up to 21 miles of range in only 18 minutes using an 800v DC fast charger or easier stated as from 10% to 80%.
The EV6 features a multi-stage regenerative braking system that can be adjusted via the steering wheel paddles. There’s also an ideal one-pedal mode that makes driving around town even easier.
On the safety front, the EV6 comes standard with Kia’s Drivewise suite of driver aids, like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, a blind-spot monitor, lane-keeping assist and parking sensors.
The pricing for the 2022 Kia EV6 starts at $42,155 for the base Light trim level, but that price can jump quickly with the GT-Line AWD starting at $57,155. Kia has not announced the pricing for the EV6 GT. While that price might be a bit high initially, the good news is that Kia is still eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax incentive, plus any state incentives.
Although the EV6 shares its platform with the Ioniq 5, the Kia takes the sportier route with its unique styling and more fun driving experience. The Kia EV6 is easily one of our favorite EVs.
