Kia EV6 review

Family buyers looking for a capable, electric car will find that the Kia EV6 easily fits the bill. Its reliable 300-plus mile range, fast-charging capability and decent standard equipment mean that the Korean crossover is one of the best electric cars you can buy now.

Its sleek and stylish appearance offers plenty of kerb appeal, while the EV6 is good to drive, too, with powerful GT models bringing seriously rapid performance.

Kia has big plans to establish itself as an all-electric car company by 2040, and to become fully carbon-neutral by 2045. Its battery-powered EV6 flagship is a key model in helping the Korean manufacturer achieve its aim of electric and plug-in hybrid power making up 40 per cent of the company’s total sales by 2030. 

The EV6 is the first bespoke electric car developed by Kia that sits on its all-new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), although it won’t be on its own for long because the brand has designs on launching another seven E-GMP-based models over the next five years.

Life is moving pretty fast for Kia, which is no bad thing when you consider the growing number of electric cars that buyers have to choose from. The EV6 is more of a sporty family crossover than a traditional SUV, but finds itself up against the likes of the mechanically similar Hyundai Ioniq 5 (our 2021 Car of the Year), the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Skoda Enyaq and the Volkswagen ID.4. Kia is most definitely looking to move upmarket with the EV6, however, and will also be targeting customers that may be considering an Audi Q4 e-tron, Polestar 2 or a Tesla Model 3.

Two setups are available for the core EV6 range; a 226bhp rear-wheel-drive configuration, or a 321bhp dual-motor car with all-wheel drive, while a performance GT model with 577bhp is scheduled for delivery later in 2022. All have a 77.4kWh usable battery capacity, with Kia claiming a maximum range of 328 miles from the RWD version.

Trim levels are limited to the Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S, with the GT a standalone model. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Air specification is a poor relation to its GT-Line cousins, because it still comes with a generous level of kit that includes 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, twin 12.3-inch curved displays, integrated sat-nav, a reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. With prices starting from just around £41,000, it’s worth taking some time to study the standard kit list before deciding on which model is right for you.

For an alternative review of the Kia EV6, visit our sister site drivingelectric.com…