2022 Kia EV6
When Hyundai Motor Group developed the Electric Global Modular Platform, they made it clear that it would be shared across all of the company’s brands.
We already experienced how the Hyundai brand interpreted this platform into the practical IONIQ 5. Now, it’s Kia’s turn.
It is no secret that Kia was to be sportier and more advanced in design and in the driving experience. They took a different approach to their E-GMP based vehicle and created a lower and sleeker vehicle – the EV6.
How much different is the EV6 than not just across the company, but from other battery electric vehicles?
Kia describes this as a crossover. We appreciate the longer roof of what could be the EV successor to the outgoing Stinger. Maybe it’s a coupe-crossover that seems to be the fashion these days?
It is a sharp looking vehicle with four doors, a large hatchback, and some real interesting shapes all around. All of this stretched out on a 114.2-inch wheelbase. Our GT-Line tester is finished off with a. set of 20-inch aerodynamically styled alloy wheels, giving it a sporty look overall.
The interior offers a mix of Kia’s sporty feel, driven by technology. The two screens are located on a piano black finished thin housing attached the dashboard. The left screen houses the instrumentation, vehicle information, charging levels and range. The one of the right houses the infotainment system, which includes wired smartphone integration. The center console houses the ignition button, along with a rotary shifter.
The front seats offer comfort and a decent amount of bolstering for support. Underneath the center console is a mass amount of open storage. Rear seat room is good, except the lower roof does limit head room. In the back you get 24.4 cubic feet before you fold down the rear seats. With those seats folded, cargo space expands to 50.2 cubic feet. Up front, there is a small secure storage area – short of a cubic foot - that actually looks like an engine cover.
Our GT-Line tester is powered by two motors – one at each axle. Total output is 320 horsepower with 446 pound-feet of torque. Therefore, this model has power to all four wheels. The battery pack has a capacity of 77.4 kWh. Kia claims that this tester has a range of 274 miles. In reality, we were able to get 285 miles on a completely full battery. It also sports one of the quickest recharging rates among EVs produced by legacy automakers.
The EV6 is also available with a single-motor, rear-drive set-up offering two power choices. sources of power. The standard range model has just 167 horsepower good for 232-mile range. Or, you can step up to an extended range version with 225 horsepower and the maximum advertised range of 310 miles.
In terms of the driving experience, the EV6 rides very smoothly. It does handle the bumps well without transmitting them into the cabin, Handling is good – somewhere between soft and solid. Cornering is fine, but you do feel the extra weight of the battery pack, along with the lower center of gravity.
The steering is not as tight as you expect in a smaller vehicle. While there is an absence of feel, it manages will when you point the EV6 into a turn. On-center feel is solid. The brakes respond well in normal and panic stops. Pedal feel is also good. You can drive the EV6 with a one-pedal drive system, but the brakes work well without it.
Pricing for the 2022 Kia EV6 starts at $41,400 for the Light version. Our GT-Line all-wheel drive tester came with a sticker price of $57,410. There are five models to choose from, with the high-performance GT version coming at a later date.
The EV6 is part of a growing number of battery electric vehicles that are vying for your investment in the future. Competitors include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model 3, and Volvo C40 Recharge Twin.
If you want your battery electric with a sporty flair, Kia has the right one for you – the EV6. RoboDog comes separately.
Story Credits: CarSoup Editors
