The 2022 European Car of the Year of the Year has officially announced the winning car, and the Kia EV6 has won the first time for the Korean car manufacturer. The electric SUV beat renault Mégane E-Tech with 265 points and 3rd place Ioniq 5 with 261 points with 279 points and 12 individual highest votes.
In early 2021, Kia rebranded the brand with a new name, a new logo and a new unique design concept opposites United. The EV6, a pure electric SUV, is the first vehicle to be launched in this new direction and is an electric vehicle built by Kia based on the Group's new Global Modular Platform for Electric Mobility (E-GMP).
The E-GMP platform gives the Kia EV6 outstanding performance, 4WD performance and fast charging time. The EV6 offers a pure electric range of approximately 482 km and external discharge (V2L) capability. In the cabin, the Kia EV6 showcased unprecedented technological connectivity and vehicle safety protection, as well as advanced driver assistance systems. In addition, there are upholstery materials made of perpetual materials and fully flat floors.
The Kia EV6 features an energy-intensive nickel-cobalt-manganese battery pack and is available in capacity options of 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh. Chassis-mounted battery packs not only provide a low center of gravity, but also power the electric motors in the front axle (and rear axle) of rear-drive or four-wheel drive models. The EV6 can deliver impressive outputs ranging from 167 to 576 hp (GT version).
Judging panelists noted that the EV6 stood out from the competition for its excellent energy efficiency, high-capacity battery and ultra-fast charging performance. "A sportier driving experience, high endurance and excellent fast charging with an 800V system, plus huge space, excellent storage space design, beautiful details such as navigation and climate-controlled dual-mode switches in the car, and the absence of leather trim and V2X charging are all reasons for the EV6's selection," another committee member noted.
In addition, some members said that the reason why the Kia EV6 is better than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 twin also includes that the EV6 has the same advantages as the Ioniq 5, but its performance is more balanced, more refined, more attractive in design, and the interior quality is higher. And there's also a collaboration with Rimac to develop a 585-horsepower GT model that further stirs up the emotional side of car owners.
The rest of the finalists, in addition to the Renault Mégane E-Tech and Hyundai Ioniq 5, which finished second and third, included the Peugeot 308 (191 points), the Skoda Enyaq iV (185 points), the Ford Mustang Mach-E (150 points) and the Cupra Born (144 points). The Peugeot 308 provides fuel and Plug-in Hybrid power, and the rest of the cars are pure electric vehicles, which shows that the acceptance of BEVs in the European market has increased.