The Kia EV6 is Kia’s First-Ever Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle and We Can’t Wait to Drive It
Elizabeth Blackstock
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They had us at electric SUV. And then fast, fun, and no hump!
Kia is one of the few automakers yet to release a battery-powered electric vehicle, but that’s all changing in 2022. Kia just revealed the EV6, a gorgeous crossover car that’s based on an all-new battery-powered platform. This is all part of ‘Plan S’ for Kia, which is the designation the company has given to its aim to release 11 electrified vehicles around the world by 2026. By combining form, function, and an eco-friendly attitude, the EV6 is is Kia’s flagship for the future.
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The First Edition of the Kia EV6 with matte paint, revealed in Times Square in NYC. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The Future is Electric, and Innovation is Key
The brass ring for EVs is battery technology, and Kia has developed a brand new battery system that it calls the E-GMP. Basically, that means the foundation of the car is built on a specific platform that integrates the battery and includes the following design elements:
- A strong body structure made of 75 percent high-strength steel and ultra-high strength steel
- Five-link rear suspension for a smoother drive
- A rear wheel drive bias that will give this car a sportier drive, but also allow all wheel drive for buyers who want it
- The world’s first mass-produced integrated drive axle, which basically just the EV6 will be extra comfortable and handle better
- A longer wheelbase with a shorter overhang for more stability and interior space
- A low center of gravity and flat floor (no rear seat floor hump!) due to the underfloor battery mounting
- An energy-dense Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese battery pack that comes in two sizes
We got a look around the interior at the reveal in New York City’s Times Square:
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This foundation provides some really great options and battery options. Kia notes that it’ll release an extra-powerful version that can provide up to 576 horsepower and a 300-mile range, but that specific version will be announced closer to the sale date. Other options include:
- A RWD version with a 58.0 kWh battery and a 160 kW rear motor with 167 horsepower
- A RWD version with a 77.4 kWh battery and a 160 kW rear motor with 218 horsepower
- An AWD version with a 77.4 kWh battery and a 70 kW front motor and a 160 kW rear motor with 313 horsepower
- An AWD version with a 77.4 kWh battery and a 160 kW front motor and a 270 kW rear motor with 576 horsepower
Its battery system is also super powerful so it’s designed to cut down charging time. It’s the first car to use a multi-charge system that can be used on almost all DC chargers (Yes, sadly not all EVs can use the fast chargers). If you use the fastest power setting, Kia notes you’ll be able to add 70 miles of range in less than five minutes, with up to 210 miles of range coming in under 18 minutes. And the EV6 comes with an onboard charger for slower Level 2 charging that can fully charge in just over seven hours for the largest battery size (probably what you’d install at home in your garage).
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Photo: Kia
‘Opposites Attract:’ A Unified Design Language
This is one detail we can get behind: An SUV with the soul of sports car, designed by a global team. Kia notes that its design has been inspired by nature but includes design elements from its studios in Seoul, Frankfurt, and Irvine, California. That includes a tiger-nose style grille design, dynamic headlamps, flush exterior door handles, a light bar across the lift gate that acts as a spoiler and three different wheel sizes.
Plus, there are some really awesome color combinations, starting with an Urban Yellow exterior with black seats; Glacier exterior with dark seats and in the First Edition, a Steel Gray Matte exterior with black seats. It’s going to look as gorgeous as it drives.
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What Else You Need to Know
The rear end of the Kia EV6. And those tail lights! Photo: Scotty Reiss
The 2022 Kia EV6 comes with the following features:
- 110-volt power outlet in a socket on the front of the second row seat base, which can power everything from laptops to power tools and that can be used for 36 hours before fully draining the battery
- Vehicle-to-vehicle charging
- Head up display with augmented
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 12-inch driver information and infotainment screens
- 14-speaker audio system
- Hands-free tailgate
- 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind second row; 53.3 cubic feet cargo space with second row folded down; additional storage space in the front trunk
- Rear occupant alert
- 360-degree camera
- Collision avoidance
- Driver attention monitors
- Blind-spot, traffic, and pedestrian warnings
- Parking assist
- Smart speed limit
- A connected vehicle experience that includes Kia Pay, stolen vehicle recovery, voice assist, connected weather and routing, roadside assistance, last-mile navigation, calendar event integration
Pricing and official release dates have not yet been announced, but we’ll update this post as soon as we have them. And if you just can’t wait, pre-orders for the EV6 First Edition will begin on June 3, 2021.
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Notice the ambient purple light and suede seats in the Kia EV6 First Edition. Photo: Scotty Reiss