Kia EV6 review

It's a large, pure-electric crossover with polarising styling, tonnes of useful tech and excellent attitude, in the same vein as the Ioniq 5 from Hyundai. Literally. And yes, both are much bigger than they appear in pictures.

We like the Ioniq 5 very much, and Kia's EV6 is essentially a platform-share/sister car with the 5 and the Genesis GV60, thanks to an interwoven corporate and brand structure that's big on common resources.

It's based on the electric-global modular platform called E-GMP, has the same 800-volt charging architecture and largely the same hardware and drivetrain options. Early in 2024 Hyundai announced a facelift was on the way with a bigger battery and more tech, and like night follows day… the Kia has now also got a bigger battery and more tech.

What’s new for the facelift?

Improved energy density means the battery capacity rises from 77.4 to 84kWh, and the battery is actually lighter to the tune of a kilo. Accordingly, max range climbs to 361 miles WLTP. Pretty impressive.

The two powertrain options - single-motor RWD with 225bhp and dual-motor AWD with 320bhp - mean the EV6 is just as fast as before (although we’re still waiting for the facelifted GT with its 577bhp), but Kia has played around with the suspension in response to customer feedback that the old car was too firm.

Inside, aspects of the interior have evolved: a new panoramic screen features a new infotainment system, wireless smartphone connectivity has been added, and some of the surfaces have been swapped out for stuff that’s less smudgy and more scratch resistant. There’s also a fingerprint scanner, which you can use to quickly load your settings if more than one person drives the car. A gimmick, but a harmless one.

Oh, and you can’t have missed that the headlights are different: Kia calls the new signature ‘Star Map’ (nope, us neither), bringing it into line with the EV9 and EV3. Is it an improvement? Hmm. You be the judge. We’ll stay sat on the fence over here.

But it’s still an Ioniq 5 in different clothes, right? 

Not so fast. While the EV6 might share the basic theory as the Ioniq 5, from the off it comes across as much more driver focused. The body control - in the context of a more-than-two-tonne electric SUV - is better, and the more encompassing cabin makes the act of driving it more of an occasion. Despite the suspension changes it’s still much stiffer, though. 

Sport mode, accessed from the big button at the bottom of the steering wheel, brings faster throttle response and heavier steering (as well as a red-for-danger dash and more fake noise), but genuinely makes the EV6 feel more committed.

And it's quick: the throttle maps might not have the neck-breaking jolt response of something like a Porsche Taycan, but the AWD one is good for 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds. Hold onto your hat.

Saying that, it's wise to note that this really isn't a lithe B-road dissector: the sheer width and bulk of the EV6 means that you have to be cautious on smaller lanes, and when you do find some tarmac that’s broad enough, there’s little about how the EV6 drives to really egg you on. A-roads are still dispatched with easy nonchalance, though.

What's the interior like?

Build quality is excellent and the gadget count is high, although we’d question if it feels special enough for what Kia is charging.

The sweeping screen is made up of two 12.3in displays, while the HUD (top-spec only) is a full 12in wide. Begrudgingly, we’ll admit the touch panel for the climate control works pretty well. It’s still separate from the main screen, and can be switched on the fly to provide either climate or media controls.

You mentioned that it costs a lot…

It ain’t cheap, but credit to Kia because it hasn’t jacked up prices massively for the new car. The rear-wheel drive EV6 starts from £45,575, while the blingiest AWD version is £58,125.

Those are competitive numbers in an ever-congested sector that includes the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX1, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Genesis GV60, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Nissan Ariya, Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, Skoda Enyaq iV, VW ID.4, and Volvo EC40.

Distinctive yet unlikely to fall off a fashion cliff, rapid in a straight line but not dynamic enough to worry a proper sports car, the EV6 carves a very different path to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with which it shares bones and blood. And that's no bad thing.

But it's also spacious, quiet and a very capable cruiser, and equipped with that 800-volt architecture that makes charging station stops quick and painless. It's one of those cars that makes you think other countries are one step behind compared to what South Korea has to offer.

It's well-judged, rounded, interesting and satisfying. Well done Kia. Everyone else, what have you got?