Kia EV6 Review 2024

Written by Andy Brady

9/10
heycar ratingEnd your EV search here
  • 2021
  • Large family car
  • EV

Quick overview

Pros

  • Striking design inside and out
  • Great range, charging speeds and driving experience
  • Spacious for passengers

Cons

  • Doesn't ride as softly as a Hyundai Ioniq 5
  • Boot space isn't the best
  • A bit less headroom than most electric SUVs

Overall verdict on the Kia EV6

"The Kia EV6 is, quite simply, one of the best electric cars you can buy. Not only is it a very stylish choice, it's also got the substance to back it up. There's a roomy and tech-filled cabin, an impressive range and ultra-fast charging. It manages to be fun to drive, too, while also extremely relaxing when you want it to be."

Kia EV6 Review 2024: front static

We described the Kia EV6 as an 'iPhone' moment when we first reviewed it in 2021 and that analogy continues to ring true today. While the technology on offer in the Kia EV6 is some of the most advanced on the market, it's wrapped up in a genuinely desirable (and easy-to-use) package. Ultimately, the Kia EV6 is a true feel-good car: one you'll be proud to own and should fit into your life easily.


All this means the Kia EV6 is one of the best electric cars on the market, which is a bold statement, considering there's an ever-expanding list of rivals seeking a slice of the cake. It shares its technical bits with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (although, as you'll read in this review, it's actually quite different from the Hyundai), as well as the new Genesis GV60. The Volkswagen ID.4 (or ID.5) will also likely be on your shortlist, as well as the Skoda Enyaq iV.


The premium feel of the Kia EV6 puts it against a pricier bunch of competitors, too. We reckon it can more than hold its own against the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX3, Volvo C40 Recharge and Mercedes EQA. It really is that good.


The Kia EV6 looks bold and confident, with a muscular front end and a sleek profile that hides what is actually quite a large machine: it's longer than a Volkswagen Tiguan SUV. Around the back you get a pretty full-width light bar to complete the radical design.


It's much the same on the inside. Sitting behind the Kia EV6's steering wheel, you can imagine being Doc Brown, priming the flux capacitor in preparation for your next trip Back to the Future. Alright, so the Kia EV6 can't bend time (no hoverboards either, sadly) but from the inside it feels like a car from an era others have yet to reach. 


From its huge infotainment screens to its dual-purpose controls, augmented head-up display, starship-like floating control console and woven trims, the Kia EV6 is quite different to almost anything else on the road.


Up front, it doesn't have quite the perceived roominess you get in the Volkswagen ID.4, but there's loads of legroom both front and rear, and only the really tall will find themselves at all short of headroom. The hatchback-style boot lid is a weighty thing but gives you excellent access, although its sloping style does ultimately restrict what you can fit above the glass line. 


Yet the Kia EV6 is reassuringly conventional to drive. Sure, it has lots of clever autonomous tech but you still get a steering wheel and (Tesla take note) it's circular. Selecting drive and reverse is a doddle, while you get regenerative brakes you can adjust intuitively using paddles behind the steering wheel. 


Get underway, and the first thing that strikes you is how easy the Kia EV6 is to drive. Whether you go for the basic two-wheel-drive model or the top-of-the-range all-wheel-drive car, you get an easy surge of acceleration that makes it brilliant for snicking in and out of gaps. There's no need to worry about operating the clutch, the engine bogging down or changing gears, the EV6 just goes where you want on a wave of electric motion.


The power delivery is near-silent, of course, which makes the experience all the more relaxing. Only the firm ride takes the edge of your in-town experience. It's not uncomfortable (and definitely better than the Tesla Model Y) but you feel more of the road surface than an Ioniq 5. That's a deliberate decision to make the Kia feel more sporty, however. 


Clear the bustle and you'll find the Kia EV6 is an excellent open-road companion. It's well behaved in bends and there's fun to be had from zapping effortlessly from one corner to the next, even if it's a couple of points down from being truly engaging, although the range-topping Kia EV6 GT goes some way towards changing that.


The ride that improves on A and B roads, feels even more polished when you hit the motorway and the car remains very quiet. A full suite of autonomous driving aids adds another layer of relaxation, as does the Kia EV6's range, which doesn't seem to drop with quite the same velocity as other EVs when cruising. 


You should get at least 300 miles from a charge in a mixture of driving, and fast charging at up to 235kW means long drives shouldn't be the logistical headache they can be in some electric cars. True, some electric cars have longer ranges, but the EV6 still very impressive in that regard. 


So it sounds like Kia has hit the EV jackpot? It really has. The Kia EV6 is a usable EV that will slot into most lives with relative ease. More than that, it's a car you'll want to own because of the way it looks, feels and drives. For a long time, Kia's talked about plucking sales from the likes of Mercedes, Audi and BMW, and the EV6 feels like a car that can do just that.


Looking for a used car for sale? We've got 100s of Kia Approved Used Cars for Sale for you to choose from, including a wide range of Kia EV6 cars for sale

The Kia EV6 is probably best sampled in entry level Air trim. The basic model is well priced and has almost all of the feel-good factor of the pricier models, while also having the longest range of the lot. We doubt you'll ever miss all-wheel drive and while the basic car's 229PS performance is unremarkable on paper, it does the job just fine in practice. 


That said, some of the tech on GT-Line S trim is really impressive, while you'll bait sports cars with the all-wheel drive car's performance. It all depends on your budget, really. 

Similar? The Hyundai Ioniq 5 basically is the Kia EV6 but with a significant exterior and interior restyle. That said, the Hyundai has been set up more for comfort than the sporty driving Kia. There's also the equally closely related Genesis GV60, which is intended to be a more premium alternative.


Other rivals include the cool and classy Polestar 2, Ford's heritage-plugging Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen's electric SUV, the ID.4. The Mercedes EQA is smaller but posher, while there's also the practical Skoda Enyaq iV and the classy Audi Q4 e-tron. The Tesla Model Y is also worth considering, while the Nissan Ariya is strong all-rounder.

Comfort and design: Kia EV6 interior

"The Kia EV6 gets its interior just right. It's interesting enough to feel special, but doesn't bamboozle you when you want to do simple things like turning up the radio".

Kia EV6 Review 2024: front interior

Things get off to a great start in top-end Kia EV6 models, which slide their driver's seat back electrically to aid entry, drawing you back towards the steering wheel when you close your door. The front seats can also fold down like a bed by holding down a single button for some impromptu shut-eye. 


Stay awake, and you'll discover the Kia EV6 doesn't quite have the airy feel of the Volkswagen ID.4. It's a tricky one – the large centre console is a handy place to rest your hand when you're operating the lower infotainment screen, but it robs the Kia of a little of the inherent airy-ness that makes some EVs feel so unique. 


Having said that, you get a great view out the front of the car thanks to the Kia EV6's huge windscreen, and bonnet bulges over the front wheels – a bit like a Porsche 911's - help you place the car on the road. The driving position feels tall at first – at least when compared to a conventional saloon like a BMW 3 Series - but you soon get used to it and it gives you a raised view of the road ahead that feels commanding. 


Reflections are a bane of the Kia EV6, though: the lighter coloured dashboard tops on some models can be a bit troublesome when the sun's low in the sky. 


Overall, though, we like the technology on offer, the impressive passenger space and the amount of storage on offer. The Kia EV6 manages to tick both rational and emotional boxes at once. 

Sometimes EVs feel like a race to the bottom in terms of interior quality because so much money goes towards the batteries and huge infotainment screens, there's not much left for the soft-touch plastics we used to crow about. 


The Kia EV6 hasn't completely avoided this, but it feels nicer inside than some of Volkswagen's latest EV efforts. Pretty wallpaper-like trim coverings do redress the balance, and the doors feel nice and plush. Only the wobbly centre armrest disappoints.

The Kia EV6 has a huge infotainment screen that stretches from behind the steering wheel to the centre of the dashboard, which tech nerds will tell you is actually two 12.3-inch screens merged together. Either way, it looks as high-tech as any other system on the market right now. 


If we were being nerdy again, it doesn't have the bright colours, depth and vibrance of the screens you get in the Volkswagen ID.4, but it's close, and you also don't need a doctorate in computer programming just to operate it. Which is definitely a good thing.


Sticking a postcode into the nav is easy and it'll factor in charging stops on long journeys. It also has the central pillars to any good infotainment system: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both wireless. 


Below the centre half of the big screen, you get a crisp-looking dual-purpose touchscreen that switches its roles between sat-nav and air-con functions. It's a neat solution, which also looks cool, and although it can be a little more fiddly than conventional buttons, you can select either display role to be the default one. 


If the dual-purpose screen is cool, the head-up display (HUD) is infotainment hedonism. It does all your standard HUD stuff, projecting things like your speed and sat-nav directions onto the car's windscreen. 


But it also interacts with your surroundings, letting you play Maverick from Top Gun – sadly, without the Sidewinders – by tracking other vehicles in your immediate vicinity, and highlighting them as they overtake. Even the sat-nav's directions are interactive: as you approach turns and junctions, a scrolling arrow directs you where to go.

Getting into the Kia EV6 is easy because the large batteries stored in the floor mean the seat is much higher than you realise, so you slide sideways onto the driver's seat, rather than dropping down into it. 


Unsurprisingly, there's loads of room for tall adults to stretch out in the front, the seats feel well padded, and the width of the car means you'll not be elbowing your front-seat passenger. 


The back seat is similarly impressive with plenty of head-, elbow- and kneeroom. Large rear doors give decent access, and the rear-seat backrest reclines by a few degrees. Tall people shouldn't have too much of an issue with headroom, even if there's less than in the Ioniq 5, although we'd avoid the sunroof of the Kia EV6 GT Line S if you regularly carry tall passengers in the back.


The only downside is that your knees sit at a steeper angle than feels natural due to the high floor. This is a common EV issue, and it's not as bad in the EV6 as in some. That said, the floor is completely flat meaning there's plenty of room for three passengers' feet, although we feel there could be a little more support in the middle seat.


Everything else in the back is very well thought out. Tiny quarter lights at the back of the car keep the cabin bright, you get separate rear air vents, plus bright white LED lighting and a pair of USB plugs in the backs of the front seats.


Even with the Kia filled with people, there's plenty of smaller storage spaces to hide their stuff. There are large felt-lined door bins (a VW trick that stops things jangling about), a huge tray under the control console between the front seats, another lidded cubby under the armrest and a large glovebox that is nicely damped. You'll even find airplane-style pockets that won't sag on the backs of the front seats.


Any nasty surprises when you get to the boot? No, not really. The Kia EV6 has a 490-litre capacity and rear-wheel drive models get a bonus 52 litres of storage under the bonnet. That outright capacity is a bit down on rivals like the Skoda Enyaq iV and Ford Mustang Mach-E, however. 


The boot's hatchback style opening makes it easy to load bulky items – even if the sloping roofline makes it less practical than an estate – and there's no lip to lift things over. Fold the back seats down, easily done by yanking a couple of handles at the front of the load bay, and the floor remains flat once the back seats are locked down into position. 


Complaints? Well, the hidden storage area under the floor is a little shallow and basic versions of the EV6 don't get an electric opening/closing boot: something to bear in mind as the boot lid weighs quite a significant amount.

Handling and ride quality: What is the Kia EV6 like to drive?

"While the Kia EV6 might share its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, it feels very different to drive. It's set up to be sporty, with meaty, direct steering and a slighter firmer edge to the ride quality. We think it's a lot of fun, although there's no hiding the sheer bulk of the EV6."

Kia EV6 Review 2024: side profile

Weighing in at around 2000kg, the Kia EV6 is around a third heavier than a petrol car of the same dimensions. That's pretty standard for electric cars, but you will feel the front tyres scrubbing for grip and the brakes having to work that little bit harder when you dial up the enthusiasm.


If you're searching for a Kia EV6, you'll see models designated as 'RWD' (rear-wheel drive) or 'AWD' (all-wheel drive). We like the entry-level rear-wheel-drive models - not only do they have a longer range, they feel more agile to drive. The front wheels are left to handle the steering while the rear wheels put down the power. You needn't be too worried about driving the Kia EV6 RWD in slippery conditions: as long as you're sensible with the accelerator, the standard EV6 provides plenty of grip.



The Kia EV6 GT has some additional trick features you'd ordinarily only expect to find in a much pricier performance car in order to keep its monstrous power going in the right direction. These include an adaptive suspension and a clever rear differential. It feels a bit more focused and accurate than the standard car as a result, but it doesn't have the honed, performance-car feel you might be expecting: the car doesn't shake off its weight, and there's an over-reliance on the electronics rather than mechanics to keep the car's behaviour under control.



SOmething all EV6 models share, though, is a firm-but-fair ride. There's enough edginess to give the feeling of sportiness and connection that Kia intended, but there's enough forgiveness to smooth over most lumps and bumps. Only particularly nasty potholes at low urban speeds will upset the calm.


Despite its chunky dimensions, the Kia EV6 is a piece of cake to drive around town. Instant acceleration gives you the confidence to nip into a gap on a busy roundabout, while visibility is pretty good, too (aided by a long list of driver-assistance tech). You can ramp up the regenerative braking system using the paddles behind the steering wheel, and doing so causes the EV6 to slow down quite significantly when you lift off the accelerator, meaning you won't have to touch the brakes as much.

The Kia EV6 is currently available with three power outputs: a rear-wheel-drive, long-range model with 229PS, a 325PS all-wheel drive car that leans more towards performance, and the range-topping EV6 GT with 585PS for supercar-baiting performance.


Which to choose? Honestly, we would stick with the 229PS car. In real-world terms, it has all the performance you'll ever need – all EV6s surge forwards from low speeds with the effortlessness of a Bullet Train riding a power surge – and the basic car is no different. Its acceleration time of 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds doesn't do justice to its big-wave thrust from a standstill.


What's more, the single gear and the nature of an EV's power delivery - which can be modulated with microscopic precision - means you'll get that performance in one seamless lump without having to worry about gear changes. It's perfect for modern driving's cut-and-thrust.


Unconvinced? Okay, we can't deny the 325PS model is quicker: it does 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds, the performance doesn't tail off too much on faster roads, and the four-wheel-drive system that gives extra traction. However, there is a slight trade-off in range and cost.


The trade-off on both counts is bigger with the Kia EV6 GT, but that's a decision you'll make consciously. This 585PS dual-motor lunatic does the 0-62mph dash in a ludicrous 3.5 seconds, and that makes it a Kia that's faster than most Ferraris.

We think the more affordable rear-wheel-drive models make more sense than their pricier all-wheel-drive alternatives in the Kia EV6 range, and that's compounded by the fact they can travel slightly further between charges. According to WLTP tests, a Kia EV6 Air or GT-Line with the RWD drivetrain can officially travel up to 328 miles. That will drop slightly in the real world (just like petrol or diesel cars, efficiency depends on a range of factors including driving style and even the weather), but you should be able to see 250 miles plus from a charge in most situations.


Kia quotes a range of 314 miles for the EV6 GT-Line AWD, while the GT-Line S RWD manages 313 miles. This drops to 300 miles from the all-wheel-drive GT-Line S. The high-performance Kia EV6 GT has an official range of 263 miles.

When you've had one of those days and just want to get home in comfort and serenity, the Kia EV6 is a brilliant companion. Without a petrol or diesel engine, the EV6 has an obvious advantage in terms of refinement compared to conventional alternatives, but it goes further than that. You won't hear much in the way of wind- or road noise, either, particularly if you buy one of the lower-spec models with their smaller alloy wheels (and, crucially, more bump-absorbing tyres).

The Kia EV6 has been given the full five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP, with strong scores across the board. 


Standard safety kit includes automatic emergency brakes that detect cars, cyclists and pedestrians, plus lane assist and active cruise control that means the car can, more or less, drive itself on A roads and motorways while you keep your hands on the wheel and your foot off the pedals. 


Kia EV6 GT-Line S models upgrade the standard car's Highway Driver Assist for Highway Driver Assist 2: as well as driving you down a road like the standard system, HDA2 can deal with junctions autonomously and, so long as it is safe to do so, overtake other cars on the motorway when you indicate to pull out. 

Charging times: How much does it cost to charge the Kia EV6?

"You won't be restricted by how quickly the Kia EV6 can be charged - rather how fast the charger is you've plugged it into. Find one of the fastest, most efficient chargers and you'll be able to top it up in less than 20 minutes."

Kia EV6 Review 2024: rear static

Thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture, the Kia EV6 has one of the fastest charging speeds of any electric car. It can be topped up at a maximum rate of 235kW, which means an ultra-rapid charging point will top it up from 10 to 80% in just 18 minutes. Try popping to the loo and buying a coffee in that time.


Of course, just like petrol stations, you pay a premium for the most convenient chargers. Expect to pay around 70p per kWh for a charge at an ultra-rapid charger just off the motorway - that means it'll cost around £32 for a 10-80% top up.


Charging overnight at home using a 7kWh home charger will likely cost less than half that, depending on your electricity tariff (the national average for domestic electricity currently stands at around 28p per kWh) and will also be much more convenient (it's like plugging your phone in overnight). It'll take longer, though: a full charge from empty to full will take around 11 hours. You can also charge the EV6 from a regular three-pin socket if you really must, although be prepared to wait a couple of days for a full charge.

The Kia EV6 is still a relatively new electric car but we've heard of very few issues or gremlins. The brand performs well in reliability surveys such as HonestJohn.co.uk's annual Satisfaction Index, while Kia's sector-leading seven-year, 100,000 mile warranty - which covers all the EV components - should go some way to temper any fears you have. Electric cars also have fewer moving parts than petrols and diesels, so there's less to go wrong in the first place, their regenerative brakes prolong the life of discs and pads, plus there are no expensive oil and spark plug changes to worry about. 

The cheapest Kia EV6 to insure is the Air, which sits in insurance group 34, while the most expensive is the high-performance EV6 GT, which is in group 45. The rest of the range sits somewhere in the middle.


What this means in reality depends on your personal circumstances, such as how many miles you cover each year, your home address and your level of driving experience and claim history. The Kia EV6 could be quite an expensive car to insure (it's quite a complex car to repair following a crash), so it's worth shopping around for insurance quotes.

Electric cars are currently exempt from road tax, although that's set to change from 2025. That means if you buy a Kia EV6 now, you'll enjoy free road tax for a couple of years before being stung with an annual bill similar to taht of a regular petrol or diesel car. That currently stands at £190 per year, but that will likely rise by the time 2025 rolls around.  There's a further catch - those electric cars with a list price when new of more than £40,000 - which includes all EV6 models - will be liable for the additional surcharge for premium cars, meaning you'll have to stump up hundreds more in VED between years two and six of the car's life. Again, this is currently £90, but will likely go up by 2025.


The rules do change fairly regularly, so it's worth checking out the latest road tax rates before parting with your cash.

How much should you be paying for a Kia EV6?

"With new-car prices starting from more than £45,000, you can forget any notion that the Kia EV6 is a budget electric car. But it doesn't feel like one, either, and it still represents good value for money when you compare it like-for-like with rivals."

Kia EV6 Review 2024: rear dynamic

The good news, though, is that even the most affordable model is comprehensively equipped: you get two 12.3-inch digital displays, faux-leather seats and a reversing camera as standard. If you don't want to splash too much cash on your EV6, the Air trim level more than covers all the bases.


High demand is keeping used prices strong, too, but there are very appealing savings to be made if you look through our classifieds. The Kia EV6 has been on sale since 2021 and early examples are checking in at around the £30,000 mark, and there are quite a few below £33,000. These all have the entry-level powertrain, which is no bad thing, and at this money, you'll get an Air-trimmed car with less than 10,000 miles, or a GT Line car with more like 30,000 miles. And, even though these are early cars, they still come with a very good chunk of the original warranty left.

The Kia EV6 is available in three trim levels: Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S. 


The Kia EV6 Air is easy to spot by its modest styling, 17-inch wheels and lightly tinted rear windows. Inside, you get vegan-leather seats that are manually adjustable with electric lumbar support. The front seats and steering wheel are heated, you get two 12.3-inch displays with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, hooked up to a six-speaker stereo. You also get rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.


The Kia EV6 GT-Line gets black 19-inch wheels, more heavily tinted rear windows and a GT-Line body kit that make it more visually arresting than the basic model. Suede seats mean it also feels posher on the inside and the seats are electrically adjustable in the front. You also get wireless phone charging and front parking sensors.


Kia EV6 GT-Line S models look a tad sportier still thanks to their 20-inch alloy wheels and, from the outside, you'll also notice their electrically operated sunroof. Inside, you get desirable kit like cooled front seats, heated rear seats, plus the heavy boot lid opens and closes electrically. The basic stereo is also replaced with a 14-speaker Meridian system, you get a 360-degree view parking camera, and you can park the car remotely. 


Standard equipment on the Kia EV6 GT includes 21-inch alloy wheels, GT exterior styling with neon green brake calipers and rear privacy glass. Inside, the GT comes with black suede bucket seats with neon green stitching, manually adjustable front seats, heated seats (front and rear), a power tailgate and alloy pedals.

Ask the heycar experts: common questions

Yes, with it's all-round ability, we reckon that the Kia EV6 is one of the best electric cars you can buy.
The Kia EV6 can tow up to 1600kg, more than the vast majority of electric vehicles.
Prices start from around £45,000 for an entry-level Kia EV6 RWD Air. You'll need to pay upwards of £51,000 for an all-wheel-drive model.