The Kia EV6 is an impressive piece of engineering that not only reduces harmful
emissions but also provides a quiet, spacious interior and high levels of comfort and clever
technology.
Electric vehicles are the way of the future, after all we will eventually run out of fossil fuels
– but never run out electricity if it’s produced by harnessing energy from the Sun.
Okay the Sun will run out of energy in about five billion years and swell up and swallow the
Earth. But that’s a problem for our great, great, great, etc grandchildren…
EV6 comes in three variants. Air RWD, GT-Line RWD or AWD.
STYLING
The Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are South Korean cousins under the skin. While their
overall shape is similar, there are noticeable styling differences. The EV6 has a taller rear
hatch topped by a strip of LED brake lights that loop right along then merge into the turn
indicators.
The Kia has a neat frontal look with a hint of a ‘radiator grille’ in its shape. It seems that the
public still prefer to have a car that looks like a conventional car. It remains to be seen how
the stylists will overcome this and give us a car that’s unashamedly electric.
The Air comes with 19-inch machined alloy wheels and GT-Line with 20-inch ones.
INTERIOR
There’s a high-class look both in the dashboard and the trim. The seats are large and
comfortable and there’s good legroom front and rear.
INFOTAINMENT
Two 12.3-inch screens within a unit stretch two-thirds of the way across the top of the
dashboard. The left-hand one is a touchscreen to let you control the infotainment features.
The right-hand screen has a digital instrument cluster.
There’s wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in all models together with satellite
navigation, and DAB digital radio.
The Air comes with a six-speaker sound system, the GT-Line has a 14-speaker Meridian
Premium unit with a sub-woofer. Sound output it excellent, all the more so because it
doesn’t have to compete with the noise from an engine.
It’s easy to tune into radio, but as is often the way in our home area DAB+ can frequently
cut in and out. To the extent we gave up and turned it off.
POWERTRAIN
The entry-level Air has a single-motor and rear-wheel drive while the higher-spec GT-Line
comes with the choice of RWD also with a single motor or an AWD with dual motors, one
at each axle. Our test vehicle was the GT-Line AWD.
The RWD models have combined system output of 168 kW and 350 Nm with zero to
100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The Air has a claimed range of 528 kilometres and the GT-Line
504 km.
The GT-Line AWD has 230 kW and 605 Nm and 0-100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds.
The Type 2 charge port is located at the driver’s side rear of the car. The fastest charge
time (10-80 kW), through a 350 kW DC Fast Charger, is listed at 18 minutes with a 50 kW
DC unit getting the same charge in 73 minutes.
As I’ve pointed out in previous reports on full electric and plugin hybrids the apartment
building where I live creates real problems. There’s no powerpoint near my basement
parking spot, and having one installed would cost about $3500 because it’s a very long
way from where the electricity comes into the building. And there would be no way of
metering how much electricity I used.
Much newer buildings, our dates back to the later 1990s, are often designed with electric
vehicles in mind. I feel this should be compulsory in all new buildings now. Let’s see what
happens.
SAFETY
The EV6 has seven airbags; enhanced ABS brakes; multi collision braking; blind spot
collision warning and avoidance; rear cross traffic warning and avoidance; safe exit
warning; driver inattention alert; intelligent speed limit assist; safe exit warning, as well as
autonomous emergency braking including with cyclists and pedestrians.
The GT-Line also has reverse parking collision avoidance; surround view monitor; blind
spot view monitor; and child-proof rear door locks. Reverse parking collision avoidance
makes sense, but when you’re coming out of a tight parking spot, in a shopping centre for
example, it jams on the brakes too often.
DRIVING
Range was given as 484 km when we picked it up in Brisbane and it had 98 per cent
change. It had been sitting ‘idling’ for about 10 minutes before we started our test by
driving home to the Gold Coast. So, the computer had decided that our speed of zero
km/h was taken into account. The estimated range was therefore 484 km not the official
508 km.
This eventually balanced out and we could have done close to the official 508 km by the
end of our 428 km weeks test drive .
Apart from the obvious environmental benefits of owning an electric vehicle the drive
experience runs a close second. We love the silent running and the overall luxury feeling
which the EV6 provides in spades. Then there’s the instant torque when you hit the
‘throttle’ and feel your back pressed against the seat.
The EV6 has been put through the Australian Ride and Handling Program, but without the
physical presence of Korean engineers, unable to travel because of Covid19 restrictions,
but in regular communication throughout with their Australian counterparts.
As is the norm in electric vehicles the EV6 uses regenerative braking to contribute to
battery charging. Two modes are available, Normal during routine driving and Sport for
more dynamic use.
The degree of intervention can be controlled through steering wheel paddles and including
the option of an Intelligent Pedal, or i-Pedal, mode which allows the vehicle to slow to a
stop without applying the foot brake.
Another feature is Smart Regenerative Braking which adjusts the braking level depending
upon forward traffic flow.
SUMMING UP
The EV6 gets the industry-leading Kia seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.
Somewhat oddly, the battery is covered for the same period rather than the eight years
provided by most of its competitors for their batteries. Perhaps the importer should do
something about this?
RATINGS
Looks: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 6/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10
Tech: 9/10
Value: 6/10
NOTE: the low ratings for thirst and practicality are due to the limited range and very slow
refuelling times of electric vehicles compared to a petrol or diesel vehicle.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
EV6 Air RWD: $67,990
EV6 GT-Line RWD: $74,990
EV6 GT-Line AWD: $82,990
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your
local Kia dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Kia EV6 GT-Line electric SUV)
ENGINE:
Capacity: N/A
Configuration: N/A
Maximum Power: 230 kW
Maximum Torque: 605 Nm
Fuel Type: Electric
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): N/A
CO2 Emissions: 0 g/km
DRIVELINE: N/A
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4695 mm
Wheelbase: 2900 mm
Width: 1890 mm
Height: 1550 mm
Turning Circle: 11.6 metres
Kerb Mass: 2105 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: N/A
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Seven years / kilometres
