The 2022 Kia EV6 crossover is the first step in Kia’s plan to deliver 11 all-new electric vehicles worldwide by 2026. Kia is no stranger to pure battery-electric vehicles, but prior to now, their BEV offerings have been built on existing Kia products such as the Soul EV and Niro EV. 

The EV6 however, rides on a dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It brings with it, 800-volt DC fast-charging, which can add more than 200-miles of range in under 18-minutes. 

The 77.4-kWh battery found in our test EV6 GT-Line dual motor all-wheel-drive is rated at 274-miles of range. That range extends to 310-miles if you stick with rear-wheel-drive. Standard in the KV6 is a 58-kWh battery which delivers a range of 232-miles.

With a coupe-like 5-door profile, flush door handles, and unique LED lighting, our test EV6 GT-Line looks much different than its edgier Hyundai Ioniq 5 relative, and is as trendy as it is sporty, with a little high-tech thrown in for good measure.  

A dedicated EV platform allows for maximized interior space. So, with an overall footprint of a typical midsize SUV, its wheelbase is more akin to the larger Kia Telluride, meaning lots of room inside for both people and cargo. Helping the rear seat legroom cause even further, are front seats constructed of slim and ultra-light “giga-steel”. Recycled plastic is used throughout the interior, and all surfaces are fully vegan. 

 The standard powertrain consists of a 125-kW rear-mounted motor rated at 167-horsepower. With the extended range battery, horsepower jumps to 225; while an additional motor can be added to the front axle providing all-wheel-drive, and boosting total output to 320-horsepower with 446 lb-ft. of torque. That is how our GT-Line trimmed EV6 was equipped. However, an upcoming even sportier EV6 GT moves the 160-kW unit up front, and adds a 270-kW motor for the rear wheels, to deliver a total of 576-horsepower. Both setups deliver acceleration that is more akin to a motorcycle than an SUV.

Kia claims EV6 is the world’s first mass-produced vehicle with an integrated drive axle design, incorporating wheel bearings with the drive shaft to save weight. This is supposed to also enhance ride comfort and handling abilities, which are also aided by a fully-independent 5-link rear suspension.  

Like many other manufacturers, Kia is promoting the fact that all EVs are essentially mobile power stations. The EV6 can deliver 1,900 watts of electricity to keep all of your electronics charged, power tools at the jobsite, and even supply back-up power to your home in emergency situations.  

More than 20 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are standard, with semi-autonomous driving at the new HDA2 level. A 3D Augmented Reality Head-Up Display gives you plenty of information while still being able to keep your eyes on the road.  

For our complete road test of the Kia KV6 EV, be sure to catch MotorWeek episode #4137 that begins airing on PBS May 20, 2022. For a listing of the PBS public television stations that broadcast MotorWeek, go to motorweek.org and click the “About the Show” tab at the top. You can also watch weekly episodes of MotorWeek on our cable partner MAVTV with new episodes airing each Saturday at 7:30 PM. Check their entire schedule at MAVTV.com. MotorWeek can also be streamed in its entirety on PBS.org/MotorWeek, as well as on PBS Living, a part of Amazon Prime Video. Road Test videos are also be available at motorweek.org and on youtube.com/motorweek. 

Base price for the Kia EV6, before government incentives, is just over $42,000 for two-wheel drive. Kia clearly has their stylish nose pointed towards the electric future. Vehicles such as this 2022 EV6 prove they’re planning to include plenty of practicality and driving pleasure.