Today's electric cars are not Tesla, but South Korea's. There are actually two: hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6. We went out with the first one before, and now it's time for the EV6.
Kia EV6 review
Kia has been doing well on the e-Niro over the years, and the Koreans will undoubtedly continue to succeed on the EV6. The EV6 is an uncompromising electric car, and unlike the Niro, the Niro can also be equipped with a gasoline engine. Just after entering the hall, you can already see that the EV6 has opened a lot. Kia's futuristic models are popular, we can say so. Why? Its appearance and specifications are impressive.
looks
It is low, wide, and quite large. The 4.68-meter long car and a pair of imposing headlights left a deep impression. Park it at the grocery store and make sure you have to answer some questions from curious passers-by. Another eye-catching detail: LED strips that form a spoiler at the rear. Students at Rietveld College can get several graduation assignments from this car.
A bit slow
The interior also looks futuristic, dominated by two screens closely arranged together. The graphical user interface looks good, but the system is a bit slow at times. This is an area where EV6 is not good at. It's also great to live together, and you can also use Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
No buttons
There are also very few buttons inside, but enough to quickly manipulate everything that is necessary. Below the middle pass style grille is a small touch screen that you can use to operate the climate and radio functions. Two circular knobs are provided to set the temperature, creating the ideal combination between the digital and physical knobs.
The interior uses many soft materials and is completely vegan. The only right option, in an electric car. Some parts are even made from recycled PET bottles and fishing nets.
technology
Many driver assistance systems make life in the EV6 more enjoyable. There's actually too much to list, but we'll do it anyway: blind spot monitoring, collision prevention systems, rear intersection warning systems, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with curve control, surround view monitors, and remote smart parking assist.
Fortunately, these systems don't exist much while driving. If you are tired of all the help, you can turn off all the features in your infotainment system. On highways, semi-autonomous driving is possible because thanks to adaptive cruise control and lane assist, the EV6 automatically stays within the line on the road and automatically maintains a certain distance from the vehicle in front.
Luggage kia EV6
At the same time, you'll wonder if there are drawbacks as well. Yes, the luggage compartment feels a bit small. When the rear seats fold down, there is space for 500 litres and 1,300 litres. That sounds good, but it's hard to carry taller items due to the sporty sloping roof line. You can live with it, but the IONIQ 5, Tesla Model Y, or Volkswagen ID.4 offers more practical convenience here. There's also room for something under the hood. In rear-wheel drive models, the trunk (front trunk) provides 52 litres of additional storage, compared to 20 litres in all-wheel-drive models.
Extended sedan
There is no shortage of space in the back seat. Due to the large wheelbase – these wheels are located in extreme corners of the car – there is a lot of space inside. We could sit in the back stretch almost completely, as if we were sitting in an elongated limousine. The head space is less impressive, again thanks to the steeply sloping roof line.
Specifications Kia EV6
What about the specifications described in the presentation as impressive? Let's start with the battery pack. You can choose between 58 or 77.4 kWh. With a small battery pack, you can travel 394 km (WLTP), while with a large battery pack, the EV6 can increase the WLTP up to 528 km. If you choose a large battery pack combined with four-wheel drive, the range is about 20 kilometers lower.
Charging is really fast
The numbers are good, but there are more electric cars in this segment that have come this far. The difference is in the charging speed. With the correct charging station, the battery pack can travel an additional 100 kilometers in less than five minutes. In just 18 minutes, Kia recovered 80% of its battery. The EV6 can handle charging capacities up to 239 kW. So you don't have to worry about mileage anxiety. Especially in our country, there are now many fast charging stations along the highway.
Truckload arrived
The EV6 can also return power from the battery pack. The so-called Vehicle Loading Function (V2L) uses an adapter with a traditional socket connection, which you can plug into the charging port. You can then plug in other devices – such as home appliances or your e-bike – and power them.
This will be very convenient if you still want to enjoy freshly brewed espresso in nature. In addition, you can also power other electric vehicles. Here's the ultimate flexibility: getting a stranded Tesla with empty batteries to reboot. You don't have to worry about your battery draining completely, because the V2L feature automatically turns off when the battery reaches 20%.
Fast man
The power is also remarkable. We drove the 229 hp 77.4 kWh RWD variant, but felt more horsepower on our right foot. The 350 immediately available Newton Meters ensures that you press well into the seat when you step the accelerator a little deeper.
A 585 hp GT variant is thought to be available later in 2022. Horsepower has never been cheaper, as this version starts at €63,595. For a car with nearly 600 horsepower, you can safely call it a reasonable price.
The EV6 also comes with 325 hp, and for those who don't need to be that fast, there's also a 169 hp version for sale. Depending on the version selected, the EV6 with 77.4 kWh battery can tow up to 1,600 kg. Also at this point, no other electric car can beat the EV6. With a small battery pack, you can hang up to 750 kg of weight in the back of the car.
Driving behavior
The EV6 handles power supplies well. It's stressful on the road and provides amazing power. Steering is straightforward and predictable. Kia is clearly aimed at driving enthusiasts. The disadvantage is that the chassis is hard. At the threshold, you have to slow down significantly, and the shock absorber doesn't fully absorb potholes and bumps. The modern IONIQ 5 — with which the EV6 shares the E-GMP platform — offers more comfort, but you guessed it: less power.