Test: Kia EV6 GT-line, the distinctive electric crossover

Sleek raised and sporty-looking, the Kia EV6 is a departure from the brand’s previous models and marks the beginning of a new era.

Although sharing its technical platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 sports a very different design. Modern, even futuristic, it makes its proportions hard to grasp. Measuring 4.69 m in length, 1.89 m in width, and 1.55 m in height, it is 6 cm longer and 5 cm lower than the Hyundai.

Distinct Design

With an athletic appearance, it plays a sporty tune down to the smallest detail (especially in the GT-line finish) with a hood that covers the top of the fenders and grille, slim headlights, scalloped taillights, and sculpted curves. Only the rear, prominent and ostentatious with its red band running from end to end, breaks this fluidity with full roundness.

We opted for a prudent version with two-wheel drive and 229 hp, which offers the highest range: 528 km according to WLTP standards. This figure, quite significant in the world of electric vehicles, is also the result of choosing a relatively large battery: 77.4 kWh. The downside is that the larger the battery, the longer the charging time. But as we will see later, this Kia performs quite well in this regard. However, during our test on a variety of roads, our average range was 376 km—a much lower value than the manufacturer’s claims.

In terms of product positioning, it can be said that the EV6 is the dynamic version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5. However, it doesn’t achieve the excellent balance between comfort and road efficiency offered by Tesla Model 3 or Model Y. But the American models cannot match the range, even in their “Long Range” versions (475 km). Since they offer 476 hp and all-wheel drive, we will forgive that.

Is the Kia EV6 Expensive?

With such specifications, the entry-level EV6 with a large battery and power is a very good tool for professionals (VTC, taxis) and could suit business owners and fleet managers. Prices start at €51,990 with the Air Active trim and 77 kWh, compared to €51,200 for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Intuitive 77 kWh. Considering the style and features it should be equipped with, our focus should be on the GT-line version we tested, priced at €59,790. Like all electric cars sold to private buyers under €60,000, it benefits from a €2,000 ecological bonus (€1,000 in 2023). Always something in hand…

Driving Dynamics in Perspective

With the key in pocket, we approach and the car extends its handles from the bodywork. Simply grasp the edge of the handle to open the door. Inside, the first impression is of spaciousness. Up front and in the rear, there’s plenty of comfort, whether in headroom, elbow room, or leg space.

The Kia EV6 is 100% digital, illuminating its screens and its large head-up display when pressing the Start button, located on the large central console. A sleek, practical dashboard unit that incorporates wireless charging at hand and offers convenient storage compartments.

The console also features the gear selector (rotary) which is very easy to operate, and at its end, buttons for heated/ventilated seats, or the heated steering wheel. Beware of unintentional activations…

Refinement Needed for the Kia EV6 Steering

With 350 Nm of torque from the start, the EV6 launches enthusiastically onto the road. Weighing around two tons with 229 hp, it doesn’t deliver a true punch in the back, but the acceleration is sufficient. Note that in two-wheel drive configuration, the EV6 is rear-wheel drive.

At the start of our test route, we notice excellent soundproofing, including from the suspension components, which is a difficult feat for an electric car. The steering and brakes provide a fairly good feel, and driving precision is present. However, while the handling isn’t poor, the car doesn’t steer as well as expected. This is surprising for an electric model, which is supposed to have more room for the steering mechanism.

Another observation: despite generally good comfort and effective suspensions during spirited driving, they cause slight body movements over medium-speed bumps. This is likely the price paid to prevent harsh jolts for occupants and to avoid expensive adaptive damping systems.

On wet roads, traction can falter, and the front end tends to seek a bit more. This is primarily due to poor tire choice (Kumho or Nexen) in the initial setup (19-inch rims).

Driving Without Brakes

The four regeneration modes allow modulation of deceleration when lifting off the accelerator. Mode 4, called I-Pedal, is very well calibrated, much better than in a Nissan Leaf or a Mustang Mach-E. It allows for smooth stopping, and to restart, simply press the accelerator. However, this mode can lack smoothness if the driver accelerates while braking. This is common to all cars offering such functionality and will improve over time.

Our test route also took us to an Ionity charging station. After an initial failure at a station that refused to recognize the car, we started charging. And surprise, the Kia EV6 quickly reached a peak of 232 kW, close to its theoretical maximum of 239 kW (under ideal temperature and battery conditions). At this rate, even though the charging power drops significantly after 80%, we recovered nearly 60 kWh in 38 minutes.

This excellent charging capacity is thanks to the car’s technology, which uses an 800 V platform instead of 400 V. Besides Hyundai-Kia, only Porsche features such technology. Additionally, Kia offers a preferential tariff of €0.35/kWh at Ionity. Our 60 kWh, purchased for €21, allows us to cover about 280 km on the highway and 350 km on open roads. At current fuel prices, this is an excellent result—at least 40% cheaper than a good diesel.

Verdict

The Kia EV6 is making a strong impression in the premium electric vehicle segment, with a solid range and driving enjoyment. Not everything is perfect, but the car is fun to drive and projects a positive image for a brand that still needs to increase its recognition in the French market.

Technical Specifications of the Kia EV6 229 hp GT-line 77.4 kWh