The most expensive car from Kia is also the one that has sold the most since its marketing at the end of last year. The EV6, the Korean brand’s 100% electric SUV, stands out with its look, its level of equipment, and, now, with its sales figures.
But what is behind the success of the cousin of the Ioniq 5? Nothing better to find out than to test the beast!
A design full of ambition
In the cohort of massive SUVs that invade the streets, there is a model that at least does not lack character. The EV6 has a unique design that makes it identifiable at a glance. Fruit of the imagination, and the pencil stroke of Grégory Guillaume, the French designer of Kia, it displays an aggressive sports coupé look, thanks to its receding roof line and its particularly sculpted features. Kia, which has not always been praised for its aesthetics, this time set the bar very high, taking care of its latest SUV down to the smallest detail. Thus, the flush door handles, the wide spoiler or its (very) large mirrors give it a unique look. As for the attention to detail, it can be seen, for example, in this LED discreetly hidden near the spoiler and which illuminates the charging hatch when it is dark. This hatch too, which unlike the vast majority of electric models, is placed neither at the front behind the logo, nor on the side like a vulgar petrol hatch, but integrated perfectly into the huge block rear optics. In short, we like or not the design of the EV6 but it is clear that there is work. And, if you don’t like it, luckily the same car or almost exists at cousin Hyundai with a radically different design.
Indeed, Ioniq 5 and EV6 share a common E-GMP architecture and although the two manufacturers offer a different approach both aesthetically and in driving, the two vehicles seem very close in terms of performance.
For the rest, during our test, we benefited from a four-wheel drive version and therefore two engines in GT Line finish, the most expensive version of the range at nearly 60,000 euros.
However, if you do not have a basic need for the 339 hp of the beast, you will prefer, like us, the rear-wheel drive version. This displays 100 hp less (229, all the same), but benefits from a better autonomy (528 km) and a trunk at the front, under the hood.
An interior design model
To say that we appreciated the interior of the EV6 is an understatement. Kia has done a remarkable job not only in aesthetics (which may obviously displease), but also in practicality.
The disappearance of the transmission tunnel, which is one of the advantages inherent in electric models, is used here very wisely, that is to say to provide space at the front and at the rear. Concretely, at the rear, the bench seat can receive a third passenger with dignity without the latter having to do origami with his legs.
As for the front, the very worked central module offers clever storage, as well as a useful space near the two USB ports. Slight regret about them, only the leftmost in USB 2.0 format, allows you to activate CarPlay or Android Auto. The second, USB-C, will only be used for charging.
The interior design is also and above all the dashboard. In the EV6, it is enhanced by two screens of 12.3 inches each, facing the driver. The first is used for digital instrumentation, the second is for infotainment.
In fact, Kia’s on-board system does not have to be ashamed of the competition, rather pleasant to use, it is quite fluid, well organized in its sub-menus, and offers quality navigation.
Nevertheless, we can only regret that on a vehicle sold for nearly 50,000 euros, the connection of the smartphone is limited to wired. Indeed, Bluetooth connection point to activate CarPlay or Android Auto. Hard to justify.
Under the central screen are touch controls that allow you to adjust the air conditioning on board or to access, via a shortcut, various menus. On this point, the absence of physical buttons is certainly attractive, but it must be recognized that once behind the wheel, the touch controls are much less obvious to understand, especially when you have to juggle between the air conditioning and the shortcut menu.
Overall, despite these few details on which the EV6 could improve, Kia’s electric SUV is a model of its kind in terms of the cabin. Sufficiently modern, without falling into futurism, practical and well finished, it is particularly pleasant in daily use.
Autonomy: the right measure
The Hyundai Kia group is not only one of the good students when it comes to judging the autonomy of its vehicles, it is a benchmark in this area, in the same way as Tesla, or Mercedes, more recently.
Indeed, the e-Niro or the Kona are to date two of the vehicles with the most controlled electricity consumption. We were therefore eager to see what the manufacturer would manage to achieve on a vehicle that was not only heavier, but also equipped with an 800 V architecture.
The EV6 has a 77.4 kWh battery, which, in the engine configuration which is that of our test, allows some 500 km of theoretical autonomy.
As usual for all vehicles that have a battery whether they are electric scooters or motorhomes, being able to check the WLTP autonomy value is dependent on a multitude of factors that each one starts to know (type of route, weight of occupants, outside temperature, driving style, etc.)
For the EV6, as for a good part of the electrics, it is possible to approach this maximum value of autonomy if all the conditions are met.
But in fact, and for a varied use, it is better to count on a range of between 350 and 450 km, your position in this wide range will mainly depend on your propensity to drive on the motorway.
To be a little more precise, let’s say that at 130 km/h on the highway, consumption will be around 23 kWh/100 km. In town, on the other hand, provided you adopt a gentle driving style, it is quite possible to go below 18 kWh/100 km.
Autonomy is also regeneration. On this point, the assessment of the EV6 is particularly positive. Kia’s electric SUV has four levels of braking energy recovery, adjustable via paddles on the steering wheel.
The fourth level is none other than an i-Pedal (or One Pedal) mode which quite frankly slows the vehicle down to a stop. Once apprehended, this mode quite simply makes it possible to dispense with the brake pedal (except in emergency situations) and to prolong its autonomy.
Finally, when it comes to recharging, the EV6 is quite simply a monster. With a capacity of 239 kW at the pump, it sets, together with the Ioniq 5, a record value. In theory, this capacity allows it to recover from 10 to 80% of its battery in just 18 minutes.
Of course, this on the condition of finding a sufficiently powerful terminal and which really delivers its alleged power (Ionity, if you read us…)
In driving, what does the EV6 give?
The least we can say is that in terms of driving, Kia’s electric SUV fully assumes its sporty look, if indeed we can speak of sporty driving in an SUV.
Let’s say, to be more precise that, despite its weight and its wheelbase, the EV6 is particularly dynamic. And for good reason, fairly firm suspensions, a low center of gravity and 339 hp under the hood, it often gives an explosive cocktail.
Above all, the EV6 benefits from excellent mass distribution work. That is to say that despite its 2.2 tons and its pachydermic size, it is very agile in turns. Admittedly, the positioning of the batteries and the low center of gravity help the behavior of the vehicle, but the work done by Kia engineers on this point should not be overlooked.
As for the driving modes, they are rather well dosed and even if the sport mode is, as often, exaggerated, it does not prevent you from having fun when the road allows it.
Verdict of the test:
With the EV6, Kia strikes a very big blow on the electric SUV market. Its latest baby not only attracts attention, it offers a credible alternative to the Tesla Model Y. Admittedly, the American is superior to it in terms of performance and autonomy, but it is also 12,000 euros more expensive . At 47,990 euros (excluding ecological bonus), the EV6 appears to be a safe bet in a booming segment.