2022 Kia EV6

With all of the battery electric vehicles coming online, we’re quickly leaving the “early adopter” stage and going full mainstream. So, it should come as no surprise that we’ve got yet another all-new BEV to test: the much talked-about Kia EV6!

 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 BEVs, but prior to now, their offerings have been built on existing Kia products such as the Soul and Niro. 

The EV6, however, rides on a dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform shared with Hyundai. It brings with it, 800-volt DC fast-charging, which can add more than 200-miles of range in under 18-minutes; 70-miles in just 5-minutes. The 77.4-kWh battery found in this EV6 GT-Line dual motor all-wheel-drive is rated at 274-miles of range, 310-miles if you stick with rear-wheel-drive. Standard, is a 58-kWh battery which delivers a range of 232-miles. On a cool, damp spring day our GT-Line saw a mixed driving range of 242-miles in Eco mode with max regen. 

Encapsulating a 5-door coupe-like profile, flush door handles, and unique LED lighting, the EV6 looks much different than its edgier Hyundai IONIQ 5 platform-mate, and is as trendy as it is sporty. And, of course, it features an updated take on Kia’s “tiger nose” design theme.   

A dedicated EV platform allows for maximized interior space. So, with the 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. 

Standard, is a 125-kW rear-mounted motor with 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. And finally, the upcoming EV6 GT upgrades to a 270-kW motor for the rear wheels, for a total of 576-horsepower; which should be plenty to rocket to 60 in well under 4-seconds. 

For now, our track time at Mason Dixon Dragway will be in the lesser 320-horsepower GT-Line.

Though it certainly didn’t feel much lesser. After a quick chirp of the tires our EV6 ripped to 60 in just 4.5–seconds. Like the IONIQ 5, seamless power and cool sounds from there, waning somewhat as we sped down the track. Regardless, a ¼-mile of 13.3-seconds at 104 miles-per-hour is impressive for a family-style SUV.

Kia claims this is the world’s first mass-produced vehicle with an integrated drive axle design, incorporating wheel bearings with the drive shaft to save weight, as well as enhance ride comfort and handling abilities; which are also aided by a fully-independent 5-link rear suspension. Indeed, the EV6 is a more than capable handler with power delivery favoring the rear. Good balance through the cones. It didn’t feel heavy at all like some EVS can with only mild body roll. Braking also showed lots of grip despite a soft pedal and some wandering. Still, panic stops from 60 averaged a very short 103–feet.  

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 a jobsite, or even charge other Kia EVs.  

More than 20 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are standard, with semi-autonomous driving at the new HDA2 level. And when you’re doing the driving, a 3D Augmented Reality Head-Up Display gives you plenty of information.

With all-wheel-drive, Government Fuel Economy MPGe Ratings are 116-City, 94-Highway, and 105-Combined; with a good efficiency rating of 32kWh/100 miles.  

A new era of vehicle requires a new language when it comes to trim structure; only our GT-Line, which starts at $52,415, will be familiar to current Kia owners, as lower trims take on more earth-friendly names, base Light, which starts at $42,115 and mid-grade Wind coming in at $48,215, with dual motor all-wheel-drive a $3,900 option.   

Kia clearly has their Digital Tiger Nose pointed towards the electric future; and vehicles such as this 2022 EV6 prove they’re planning to bring plenty of practicality and fun along for the ride.