Kia EV6 GT Line 77,4kWh RWD

multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:21, 21 June 2022 | Updated: 09:23, 21 June 2022

Looking around at the latest examples of EVs it certainly appears as though manufacturers are taking the opportunity to push the boundaries of design: Honda’s quirky little e, Hyundai’s unashamedly boxy IONIQ5 and, the car reviewed here, Kia’s EV6, are just three examples of adventurous – some might say futuristic – design.

Of course, there’s nothing futuristic about batteries – they’ve been powering our torches for decades – or motors but that is certainly where motorists’ futures appear to lie… until scientists create tiny fission reactors to power our cars at least.

So we end up with the sharp, sporty, coupe-cum-SUV-like EV6. Those alloy wheels are ‘only’ 19in but the tyres’ deep sidewalls mean that you can add at least another six to eight inches to that number. The general impression is imposing, robust, substantial.

Kia makes some bold claims about the EV6: It can, allegedly, charge faster than a Tesla, travel further on a full charge than a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and, if you pick the right model, accelerate faster than a Porsche Taycan 4S.

Kia aren’t novices in the battery-powered game and has been selling e-Niro and Soul EV for a number of years now but the EV6 is the first bespoke model in the range.

The EV6 has been tuned to provide and engaging drive and the 77.7kWh battery is intended to give all versions an ‘official’ range in excess of 300 miles.

Hyper-quick 235kW charging allows to top up the battery (10-80%) in a theoretical 18 minutes. For the overwhelming majority of owners theory is what it will remain because public chargers supplying that amount of power are rarer than a red squirrel. Probably.

The EV6 certainly has the necessary credentials to power itself to the head of the EV queue but let’s take a more in-depth look to see if that really is the case.

Climb inside and the cabin has been a futuristic feel thanks to a combination of extravagantly curved surfaces and well-defined lines and textures. Driver information is displayed on two screens that sit behind a single glass panel that curves round behind the steering wheel across the top of the dash.

The left hand display – a 12.3in touchscreen – is where you access the infotainment system. The operating system is reasonably intuitive and the graphics crisp and clear but the system can be a bit slow to respond to inputs and it is a bit of a stretch to reach the far left of the screen.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range – though I did have some issues setting the latter up – while GT-Line models (reviewed here) and above are equipped with wireless mobile charging.

Adjusting the cabin temperature is easy thanks to physical dials but there’s a slightly awkward touch-sensitive panel for other settings, which is a shame.

Cabin quality is reasonable, rather than exceptional, but that does require some context because this isn’t a painfully expensive premium automobile from Audi, BMW or Mercedes, rather this is a reasonably affordable family EV.

With that in mind the passenger space certainly has some nice touches to lend it a more upmarket and even slightly futuristic feel with lots of gloss black and rubberised surfaces. It all feels solidly put together too and all the ‘leather’ is suitable for vegans.

The seats are comfortable and supportive which, considering that Kia have positioned the EV6 as a sporty conveyance, will be very welcome should it live up to that billing. Entry-level cars’ front seats are heated with an electrically-adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s side.

Pick GT-Line and above and that electrical adjustment extends to other parts of the seat and throws in lumbar support for your passenger too.

The front windscreen pillars are angled steeply but they don’t impact too much on visibility at junctions and the relatively high seating position that sits (literally) somewhere between regular hatchback and SUV allows for a decent view out the front.

The rear pillars are, quite frankly, huge and, combined with the rising window line, severely hamper the view over the shoulders and out of the back. All models are fitted with a rear-view camera and parking sensors which should go some way to making life a little easier.

GT-Line trim and above add front parking sensors to the mix while top-of-the-range GT-Line S models include a 360-degree bird’s eye-view camera system.

The EV6 is a big car. That might not be obvious in the photos accompanying this review but, trust me, it is. No surprise, then, that there is plenty of room inside. Front-seat passengers are well-catered for with acres of space for heads, legs, arms, shoulders and torsos.

Rear-seat passengers are treated equally as well. Even if you’ve got a couple of people riding in tandem there’s still enough space for both passengers to relax without seat backs and dashboards getting the way of kneecaps. Headroom is unexceptional but you would have to be well over six feet tall to find the roof lining interfering with your hair-do.

Storage options are generous with a massive open storage area beneath the floating centre console, a lidded bin under the central armrest and good-sized glovebox and door pockets.

There is, of course, no engine noise because there is no engine and, on the 19in wheels fitted to the GT-Line model reviewed here, very little road noise to speak of. In fact, at any speed, the EV6 offers refinement levels that surpass the majority of its peers.

There are two version of the EV6. The single motor rear wheel-drive model outputs 226bhp and takes 6.9 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60mph. It’s official range is 328 miles but, in the real world, expect to see somewhere between 260 and 280.

The dual-motor all wheel-drive model – the additional motor is attached to the front axle – sees power increase to 321bhp and the zero-to 60mph sprint drop to 5.2 seconds but that’s not the only number to fall because so does the range, although only by about 15 miles.

Later this year Kia is promising a “hot” GT version with a huge 577bhp that will hit 62mph in just 3.5 seconds which, for reference, is quicker than a Porsche Taycan 4S.

The EV6 has been tuned for handling and, consequently, some ride comfort has been sacrificed in pursuit of a driving experience that’s a little more involving. That said, it’s by no means bone-shakingly stiff and some might prefer the improved body control compared to it’s sister car, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which you can read about here.

Kia have done a decent job of creating an EV that threatens to induce a few more smiles than the average battery-powered car. There’s ample grip through corners that body control is admirable. There’s not a lot of communication between the front wheels and fingertips but it’s precise enough to allow you to place the car accurately on the road.

There’s plenty of traction from the AWD versions so they feel more stable when you accelerate hard out of corners. Expect that to be even more pronounced in the wet.

The EV6 isn’t Kia’s first full EV, but it is their first bespoke EV. It’s an excellent contender too. The boot is a little shallow and the ride can feel a bit firm at low speeds though neither should prove enough to dissuade potential buyers. The price might, though, because this is not an inexpensive car (the days when the Korean brand was viewed as a real bargain are falling further behind us), but it’s sharp-looking, well engineered and built and boasts a spacious interior. Perhaps most importantly it offers a decent range and fast-charging capability.

Kia EV6 GT Line 77,4kWh RWD

Price (OTR): £43,945

Motor: Permanent magnetic synchronous

Battery pack:

77.4kWh Li-ion polymer

Max power: 168kW

Drivetrain:

Max power: 226bhp

Max torque: 350Nm

Max speed: 114mph

0-62mph: 7.3sec

Charging AC: