2022 Kia EV6 | Review & Road Test

For the latest Kia EV6 pricing and information:

You’ve got the Kia EV6. This is Kia’s first vehicle on a dedicated electric platform and I’m not afraid to say I’m a fan. Besides the Hyundai IONIQ 5, with which it shares mechanical underpinnings, the EV6 competes with the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, and, depending on when you’re watching this, the Nissan Ariya.

There are 4 trims. Light, Wind, GT-Line, and GT. If you rolled your eyes just a little when I said Light and Wind, I understand. Starting with the base Light trim, the EV6 features a 58-kWh battery pack, a 168 horsepower (168hp) electric motor driving the rear wheels, zero to sixty sprints around 8 seconds according to Kia (0-60 mph: 8 seconds), and an EPA estimated range of 232 miles (58 kWh RWD: 232 miles).

The GT trim, not to be confused with the mellower GT-Line trim, is an absolute powerhouse. It’s not available as of when we made this video but if all-wheel drive, 576 horsepower, and zero-to-60 runs under 3.5 seconds seems cool, the EV6 GT could be the sporting electric car of your dreams.

Rounding out the technical overload, I have to mention that Kia utilizes an 800V architecture with the EV6’s battery packs allowing for fast recharge times. How fast? Kia says, a 10% to 80% charge should only take 18 minutes…provided you’ve got access a 350-kW DC Fast Charger, which you might not. Use a more common 50 kW charger and that charge time rises to more than an hour. And, with a level 2 home charger, you can expect a full 77.4 kWh battery in about 7 hours.

The GT-Line trim I’m driving has a sporting demeanor that aligns with the EV6’s stylistic statement. The steering has a precise feel with natural levels of electric assist. At rollicking speeds, the EV6 is a joy to turn, providing ample grip for a good time.

During standard commutes the suspension delivers a comfortable ride that acknowledges the road without being overpowered by it. Meanwhile visibility is hindered by thick pillars but not so egregiously that an owner wouldn’t get used to it.

One of my favorite parts of the EV6 driving experience though, is the brakes. In many electrified cars, the brake pedal has a spongy, unpredictable feel that drives me mad.

Being an electric vehicle, the EV6 also offers 4 regenerative braking intensities including a one-pedal drive mode that comes to a stop just as smoothly as I can. Oh, that was a hard sentence to speak. FYI, with a fully charged battery and nowhere to store the reclaimed electrons, the regenerative braking function doesn’t work.

Straight lines aside, feeling that immediate electric push as you exit a corner is grand. Another grand feeling is when you don’t crash your car. Fun! Helping make that possible is a range of standard active driver assist features like lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning, and full speed dynamic cruise control.

As for the interior, it’s sleek & contemporary without looking needlessly weird. More importantly, the EV6’s skateboard like platform and long wheelbase enables a spacious cabin.

At 24.4 cu-ft, the EV6’s trunk offers workable space though the Hyundai IONIQ 5, VW ID.4, and Mustang Mach E all offer more cargo room. Out front there is a frunk but it’s cozy.

Now, I’m sure you’re wondering about price. Excluding any wacky dealer upcharges, the base EV6 Light trim has an MSRP just shy of $41-grand ($40,900). That doesn’t include $1,215 in destination charges nor the $7,500 federal tax incentive the EV6 is eligible for or any potential state incentives. In base form, the EV6 comes with heated front seats, wireless phone charging, smart key access, and dual 12.3-inch screens for gauge cluster and infotainment duties.

At long last, the electric vehicle marketplace is filling with interesting choices. EV’s are no longer just compliance vehicles. To me, the Kia EV6 proves we’ve turned a corner.

Not only is the EV6 a real car. But it has the performance, range, style, and speedy recharge abilities to be a truly desirable car. It’s hard to predict the future but I suspect it’s going to look something like this.

00:00 2022 Kia EV6
0:36 Competitors
0:53 Trim Levels
3:24 Driving Impressions
5:35 Interior

[akrkwood]

As an owner I have to say, the pictures and videos don’t do the car justice y’all. Literally the most enjoyable car I’ve ever driven.

[_CarlosA]

Kia and Hyundai are killing it! Can't wait to see even more affordable EV options in the next 5 years! Exciting future!

[farcinue]

I’ve seen one in our neighborhood and it looks pretty cool. Very futuristic.

[inmatejason]

This is the first nice looking electric car i have seen and would consider driving.

[jeffk]

Really want to express my appreciation to the camera operator and editor for such an excellent job in filming and editing this review.

[Antiguan_Dart]

Thanks for a great review - informative, insightful, snappy and fun commentary. I think you’ve hit it on the head - a real car (drivability, technology, practicality, performance and price ) as well as being desirable! A mark of which I think the competitors are still falling short.

[deepulse]

The wow effect is still intact whenever I look up some content about The EV6. Stunning design 😍

[benhauber]

I just bought an ev6 and I love it. Having said that, I thought that kbb would be a bit more objective when reviewing a vehicle. This looked more like an infomercial than a review.

[DSRQ]

Fine review work. I cant explain why, but as much as I like this KIA, I find the Hyundai with its retro look somewhat more appealing, but I'd be delighted with either one.

[vincentledesma]

Looks like Mike stepped up his already commendable camera work. Keep up the great work!

[beardown]

Micah you said "ample grip for a good time" ;) cue the iguana lol but seriously nice job Kia. The EV6 looks cool.

[thenextelectriccar]

Great job with the review! 🙌This and the Ioniq 5 are by far the most interesting EVs made by traditional automakers on the market. It's crazy how quickly Hyundai came out with these. Compared to VW or Ford, I feel like they didn't talk much about EVs, but they just came out with two great electric crossovers.

[joer]

It's amazing the amount of jealousy we see in these comments. Kia is now making some of the best cars in the world. This EV6 just won the European car of the year. NOW GO GET ONE

[Mooremoorebobby]

Buyer Beware
We bought the EV6 Wind RWD on April 2, 2022at Ball KIA San Diego. We love the way it looks, the way it drives, the modes and the room. We purchased it specifically because of the California CAV Carpool status and the 310 mile range. When I commuted to my work destination 134 miles away, the next day, on a 100% full charge; I had 13% battery and only 24 miles to go after I arrived to my final destination. I didn't drive extreme or in a hilly areas. Nothing different than the terrain and freeway speeds of Orange County where the KIA Corporate HDQ are located. I didn't have the heater or ac on anything more than normal. Needless to say I was peeved. I had to recharge in Compton and I'm glad my wife didn't have to do this. So here I am 3 weeks later, a new car that will not charge more than 215 est miles. The Mi/kwh is 2.3-3.4.
KIA wont help, they keep giving me the runaround and telling me that the 310mile per charge is only an estimate. Even though the brochure says 310* plus/minus 10... KIA headquarters says 167 -310 est range.
KIA wont help us, we have to do all of this investigation on our own, The Service managers, District Manager and Regional manager have not returned any of our calls, emails. We have been to 2 service centers and they are telling us that this 215 mile range is standard and correct for their long range Wind model (the 310 mile model) My wife and I believe that KIA has placed the EV6 Light Model Battery in the Wind Model Frame.

[SonnyWar]

The dealer markups are killer. Anywhere from 10 to 15k right now

[TalismanPHX]

I dig the Hyundai Ioniq 5's retro 80s styling more

[fingerpickingood]

Drove one this week. Loved it. Used to a tesla 3. The only reason I wouldn't buy this car is no frunk and tesla charging network. But as far as interior and dash I like it better than tesla. But this car is amazing

[tariqreid]

Just saw one of these with the KIA logo on the freeway in Las Vegas and I had to come to YouTube to find out what it was. Didn't know it was electric until seeing this video.

[KennyPang]

I seen two already on the street. Love the design. Size is much bigger than I Thought.

Reminds me of those old French cars.

[devera]

Great review Micah as always! Ev6 looks better than the Ionic.