We drive the Kia EV6, an electric car with a lot of future

It is not the brand’s first fully electric model, as it already has two important representatives in the range, such as the e-Soul and the e-Niro, but it is the first model based on the new E-GMP platform, with very advanced technology, an 800-volt architecture, power of up to 585 CV, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive systems and batteries of 58 and 77.4 kWh, capable of homologating ranges of more than 500 km. It is already available in 9 different versions, with prices starting from 46,450 to 66,750 euros, not including discounts, financing or Moves, with which the bill can be reduced by between 11,750 and 14,532 euros.

Its exterior dimensions are quite striking, with a length of almost 4.7 metres, a width of 1.89 m and a total height of 1.55 m, while its wheelbase reaches 2.9 metres. With these dimensions, a remarkable interior capacity is achieved, since there are no elements that interrupt its continuity. It has an outstanding driving position, with comfortable seats and many adjustments, where there is plenty of space everywhere, supported by a floating centre console with many storage spaces and very roomy rear seats with a flat floor, which allow great comfort when travelling.

Only the rear visibility seemed improvable to us, since the angle of the rear window does not favour vision, but, in exchange, the cameras it includes for manoeuvring when reversing offer very high quality and allow the car to be parked easily.

In addition, the boot offers 490 litres of capacity, expandable to 1,300 litres, if the rear seatbacks are folded down, apart from a “frunk” or front storage space, of 20 litres in the all-wheel drive versions and 52 litres in the case of the rear-wheel drive variants.

Original design

The shapes of the new EV6 do not leave anyone indifferent. Striking from every angle, it stands out for a distinctive front end that starts from a very low position (it does not need large air intakes for cooling), with a pronounced bonnet, prominent wheel arches and a floating roof that accentuates the wedge shape of the bodywork. The style is completed by large alloy wheels – 19 or 20 inches – and a very original, futuristic-looking rear end, in which the turn indicators – blended into the bumper – are separated from the position lights and brake lights, joined by a continuous horizontal line. Between both sets, on the right-hand side, the charging port cover is integrated, which has an automatic motorised opening system.

The interior is also very different from what we are used to seeing in new electric models. Unlike other models, which have a large central screen, landscape or portrait, the EV6 offers two horizontally arranged screens along the dashboard, 12.6 inches each, slightly curved towards the driver. The one in front of the driver includes all the information relating to driving itself: speed, range, driving mode, consumption or battery charging system, regeneration level, average and instantaneous consumption, battery level percentage, etc.

The central screen shows the information about the navigation system, sound equipment, additional functions or control panels, such as language selection, driving aids, lighting and ambience preferences, etc. As in the brand’s latest models, it uses a camera system that acts as virtual mirrors, showing the side view on the instrument cluster when the indicator is activated.

It features a two-spoke multifunction steering wheel, which allows control of some sound system controls, voice instructions, the phone or cruise control preferences and the main functions of the on-board computer. Behind it there are two paddles with which the level of regenerative braking can be selected (1, 2 or 3), in addition to the i-pedal or automatic mode functions, which allow greater deceleration capacity without having to use the brake pedal. Of course, while the brake is pressed, the paddles do not act or modify the deceleration state.

Between the front seats there is a wide centre console housing the gear selector, the start button, the seat heating/cooling controls, the wireless phone charging holder and an armrest with a lower compartment. Below this, there is a huge storage space that extends down to the lower part of the dashboard.

Also curious is the dual-function panel that allows selection of the climate control controls – with rotary temperature selectors – and which completely transforms to operate the sound system, navigation or settings controls. It is located immediately below the central vents and is very simple to use.

It also has a colour Head-Up Display, capable of projecting information on speed, navigation instructions and even augmented reality signals and indication of possible obstacles in the blind spot area.

Two motors and two batteries

For the moment, the EV6 range includes two drive systems, rear-wheel or all-wheel, resulting from fitting one or two motors (one on each axle) and two battery capacities, of 58 or 77.4 kWh, although the two-motor variants are mandatorily associated with the higher-capacity battery.

The 58 kWh battery, rear-wheel drive version develops a maximum power of 229 CV, while the most powerful option, with two motors and all-wheel drive, reaches a maximum power figure of 325 CV and an average range on the WLTP cycle of 472 km. In the case of the single-motor variant with the 77.4 kWh extended-range battery, the maximum range reaches 528 kilometres, although after covering quite a few kilometres on roads and motorways with this version, with an average accumulated consumption of around 20.5 kW/100 km, it will be difficult to reach 400 real km if travelling on the road with it.

A top-of-the-range version called GT will arrive later, with all-wheel drive, a 77 kWh battery and 585 CV of power, priced at 64,572 euros, as it cannot qualify for the Moves aid scheme. The announced performance is spectacular: top speed of 260 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 3.5 seconds and WLTP range of 406 km.

800-volt fast charging

One of the main advantages of this model is its charging capability, since it can use 800-volt and 400-volt networks (using the motor itself and the inverter) without additional transformers, so it can perform fast charges, going from 10 to 80 percent battery level in all variants in just 18 minutes, or it can recharge up to 100 km of range in less than 4.5 minutes in the two-wheel-drive versions with the large 77.4 kWh battery.

Another feature of this model is that it allows energy to be drawn from the battery to power various devices, and even to use the EV6’s battery to power another vehicle. For this, it has a Mennekes-Schuko adapter, which connects to the power inlet, capable of delivering up to 3.6 kW of power (16A) to any connected device, provided the EV6’s main battery level does not drop below 20 percent of its total capacity.

It also has a feature called “Utility”, which allows the energy from the high-capacity battery to be used to power various vehicle devices when the vehicle is switched off, such as air conditioning, lights or the audio system, without risk of draining the 12-volt battery.

Regarding towing capacity, the 58 kWh variants allow up to 750 kg of towing capacity, while in the case of the larger 77.4 kWh versions, the capacity increases to 1,600 kg.

Exceptional smoothness

It is true that electrically powered models offer especially pleasant driving, both because of the way power is delivered, linearly, with huge torque and spectacular acceleration, and because of the absence of noise, vibration, etc. In this case, moreover, the performance announced by the 325 CV variant leaves no one indifferent, as the acceleration is spectacular and the driving pleasure is enhanced by very sporty behaviour. Low centre of gravity, direct and precise steering, fairly firm suspension, instant response…

Furthermore, we have the option of choosing three driving modes, Eco, Normal and Sport (the latter modifies the engine response and steering assistance). It also has a snow driving mode, with specifications adapted to the grip requirements for traction control and accelerator response.

To top it all off, the regenerative braking paddles, with three positions, the i-pedal system or automatic mode, add further possibilities to adapt driving to our preferences.

We also found the braking system interesting, capable of stopping the more than two tonnes the car weighs with great ease, without any signs of fading or strange pedal feel, since in many electric models two behaviours are felt when applying pressure: an electric part, acting on the motor, and a hydraulic one, on the brake calipers. In this case, no differences are noticed between one mode and the other.

The behaviour of the all-wheel drive EV6 is very good on any type of road, it feels very powerful and is easy to drive, since the 325 CV it develops are quite docile, thanks to the enormous progressiveness of the power delivery and its low centre of gravity contributes to a very fast cornering, turning quite flat.

In the case of the rear-wheel drive variant, with 229 CV, the acceleration is not so striking, although clearly satisfactory. There is a noticeable greater tendency of the rear end to step out when accelerating cheerfully out of corners or in roundabout areas with more slippery surfaces, but traction control immediately corrects any movement that could derail the trajectory. It is slightly lighter, even with the large-capacity battery, but this is not a particularly noticeable factor when driving.

It is true that it homologates a slightly lower consumption figure, 16.6 kWh/100 km, although under normal driving conditions it is difficult to see it below 20 kWh/100 km.

In any case, we find it a very recommendable version, since, in terms of price, performance and range, it perfectly meets the needs of a large number of users. Infrastructure still needs to advance so that journeys can be made without hiccups, although the situation seems to be improving.

Technical specifications of this car

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