EV Ramblings - 2022 Kia EV6 Driving Reaction and Review

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:04 Not a Crossover
5:11 Other Reviewers are wrong
6:40 The plan for today
8:36 Different trims in Canada
10:35 Suspension is great
11:35 Outside overview
14:30 What it's like driving
15:54 Interior, Climate Control, Screen Visibility
19:35 Switching between modes
20:20 Rapid Charging, High Speed Launch
24:09 Driver Assistance
27:04 The model I would buy
31:59 What it has going for it
32:52 Sunroof operation
36:10 Visibility
37:55 Will blow your mind
38:36 Comparing to Ioniq 5
41:56 Do you want a sports sedan?
43:42 Regeneration
45:24 Ownership, Costs, Maintenance
46:53 Final Assessment
47:46 Thanks for watching!

Introduction Music: "Don't Go In" by Metre
From Free Music Archive
CC BY NC

[ront]

Just read your EV6 review -- 15 months after taking delivery of our GT line 2. With 10, 000km on the odometer, our EV6 is -- by far -- the most satisfying vehicle I have ever owned, bar none! All the detail you convey in your review is accurate and objective. You have done a superb job for anyone interested in an EV -- your objectivity is right on the money. Is the EV6 perfect? No, it is not. But it comes closer to that elusive quality than anything I have driven at any price.  If I were to change anything, I would add a yoke steering wheel designed to make the excellent blind spot monitors more visible on the panel. I'm 6' tall and have the driver seat positioned high, a position from which the steering wheel spokes partially obstruct the monitor screens. I would also provide more ground clearance under the front bumper. The EV6 is prone to scraping low curbs that are often found across the front of parking stalls. Regrettably, the otherwise excellent detectors and cameras up front do not show such curbs reliably.

Among the outstanding plusses of the EV6, I would have to highlight the regen braking system used by Kia and Hyundai. Being able to change instantly on the fly via the always-at-hand paddles on the steering wheel is convenient, safe and better than any other system I have encountered. The adjustability is incredible. I have found that iPedal (level 4) is ideal for driving in the city. The irritants of driving in traffic belong to other vehicles, not to this one. Using iPedal, the more you drive an EV6 in heavy traffic, the more you love it. It takes much of the stress out of stop and start city driving -- even in Vancouver's designed-for-bikes gridlock. On the open road, at speed, I drop the regen to level 3 which gives a superb combination of stopping power and smoothness. Given the vehicle's solid build quality and aerodynamics, the sound level is impressively low notwithstanding the incredible torque from the -- almost silent -- power train. Seoul's engineering creds are definitely showing!

This is my first EV and my first Kia product. I hope you are able to stick with the wait -- and that your EV6 experience is as positive as mine. Thanks again for an outstandingly objective review!

[sow_scout]

I love my SUVs, I currently own a Sante Fe Sport 2017. But every now and then, I wish I owned something a little more sporty like in my early adulthood. I feel like the EV6 can fulfill both. It won't be as big and high as the Sante Fe, but it seems like it will have the space that will make me satisfied.
Edit: Also, I'm currently financing my car which ends next year. I drive a lot for work and pay a minimum of 500$ a month. So by the end of the month, im literally paying a minimum of 1000$. Not to mention maintenance, in the long run, an EV will likely help me save too.

[douglowles]

This is the first time I've commented on a review (and I have watched quite a few). Yours was among the best I've seen not only from a technical perspective, but also subjectively. I enjoyed noticing how the car seemed to quietly grow on you over the course of the review and really laughed when I read in your comments that you've put a deposit on one! I have too but it's only been 5 months so I have a while to wait yet. Great job!😊

[coolpix]

Man, I'm so excited to get mine this week!

[stephenkimball]

You did a really nice job on this review. I have seen most of them online and I like your objective approach. I have an EV6 ordered that should be available in a week or so. Great job!

[pianomn]

The best review I ever heard and seen on my new car. I live in Gatineau Québec near Ottawa and I have enjoyed every ride in my beautiful Blue Belle since I got her a week ago. Thanks and good luck on your next EV purchase.

[richardlabbe]

Great evaluation!!! Honest review!!! The BEST EV car indeed. I drive a Taycan 4S and I just got an EV6 GT2 to replace my 2017 Macan GTS. I was one of the first 200 lucky ones, who took a chance, online on Oct 22nd. Not knowing the canadian price, not sure if it would qualify for the subsidies, without sitting in the car or seeing one and we had to pick 3 colors but not sure which one we would get. I am not disapointed at all. It is an unbelievable car. My spouse and I were riveted to our computers, iPAds and iPhone on Oct 22nd and with a lot of patience and after trying, resetting and retrying several times… we both got an order in! The second EV6 GT2 is coming in 2 weeks I am seriously considering selling my Taycan to drive the EV6 instead. I always had a german car sitting in my garage since 2000, Porsche, Mercedes etc. Kia is coming after them and I love it! I am also looking forward for the Genesis EV upcoming line up!!!

[novax]

Great Review! I ordered a GT1 on December 13th 2021 and I can't wait to get it.

[ChrisPepin]

“Small Station Wagon” is listed on the EV6 window sticker

[ronlk]

Excellent review video! I currently drive a 2015 BMW 435i M Sport with Twin Turbo and will be ordering a Kia EV6 AWD with Tech Package.

[victorpopurhedoff]

Thank you Dustin for your review, I really enjoyed your style of review. I have recently ordered my GT line 2 and looking forward to it, no word from KIA as to when it will arrive.

[Smffyzul]

I am assuming that you've used the driver assistance feature on a Tesla before. If so, how do similar features found in the Kia EV6 compare?

I am considering selling my Tesla Model 3 for the Kia EV6 but driver assistance is by far the main concern for me. Overall, Tesla's autopilot is great so I'd hate to settle for anything less.

It is hard to find a quality reviewer like yourself so I'd appreciate the insight.

[Cobraguy]

Great review thanks. Looking at buying one here in the UK.

[avr]

Nice review thanks. I’m gonna wait….dealer markups are bonkers here in the states.

[AndyM...]

Great review Dustin, have one on order, but now a long wait as there's none available in Australia until the next batch Kia sends our way !

[SoaringEaglesMountainBiking]

Nice review. I ordered a gt line 2 the other day. Probably be a 2024 by the time it gets here.

[MrVeeBlog]

Thank you for the review. The question that doesn't seem to get asked or answered is whether or not you can control the height of the trunk hatch. If I open it in my garage, can I limit how much it opens.

[VROneUK]

@Dustin Batchelor - What camera's did you use to film this please?

[ubuu]

I want an ev6 just based on looks. But Dustin mentioned the car also attracting attention and that is not something I'm sure I want.

The ev6 is basically the Jessica rabbit of evs. It makes the chevy bolt and ionic 5 and even teslas looks like fiat multiplas. The ugliest car in all of creation.

I am now torn. No, I'm not. I'll just make sure to tint the windows.

[jonaskristensen]

What a dissapointment, thougth it was the proper gt, not the ligth version.