Kia EV6 review

Quick verdict

​Family buyers looking for a capable electric car will find the Kia EV6 easily fits the bill. Its reliable 300-plus mile range, fast-charging capability and decent standard equipment count are all combined with a sleek and stylish design that’ll turn heads in Knebworth or Knightsbridge. 

The closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the slightly more practical option thanks to its boxier shape, but the EV6 feels more sporty and is better to drive. In fact, the EV6 is one of the best electric cars to drive, while the 577bhp EV6 GT adds truly rapid performance to the mix.

Kia EV6: price, specs and rivals

Kia has been an important player on the electric car scene for some time already, largely thanks to the massive success of the original Kia e-Niro. The South Korean brand plans to establish itself as an all-electric car company by 2040, and launch nine new pure-electric cars in the UK by 2027. 

The Kia EV6 is a key part of that plan, and it uses a bespoke electric-car architecture called Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which currently serves as the underpinnings for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Genesis GV60, and the Kia EV9.

The EV6 and EV9 sit above the Kia Niro EV – the e-Niro’s sharper-looking successor – and the quirky Kia Soul EV in Kia’s electric car lineup. While these latter two models are cheaper, they don’t use the E-GMP platform and, therefore, don’t charge as fast as the EV6 or go as far on a charge.

The EV6 is more of a sporty family crossover than a traditional SUV, but it still stands against plenty of capable competitors. Not only does it have its own sibling, the Ioniq 5, to contend with, but there are also the likes of the Skoda Enyaq, Nissan Ariya, Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

This competition is already strong, but Kia also has upmarket ambitions for its EV6, which brings additional rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y into the mix. There’s also the EV6’s luxurious sibling, the Genesis GV60.

Every EV6 in the UK is powered by a 77.4kWh battery, but buyers are given a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. The less expensive rear-wheel drive models feature a single 226bhp electric motor, while all-wheel drive versions get an electric motor on each axle, which, combined, puts out 321bhp. The EV6 has a maximum range of 328 miles in rear-drive form, but all-wheel drive versions aren’t far behind.

Then there’s the Kia EV6 GT model, which also gets a dual-motor setup but turns the dial up to 11, producing 577bhp and 740Nm in total. With a 0-62mph time of just 3.5 seconds, this is the version you want if you fancy embarrassing some supercars while on the school run. 

The core line-up consists of four trim levels: Air, Horizon, GT-Line and GT-Line S. There’s also the performance-focused GT, but this is technically a standalone model. Throughout the range, Kia has been generous when it comes to kit, and even the entry-level Air specification comes with 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, twin 12.3-inch curved displays, integrated sat-nav, a reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. 

The Horizon trim arrived in line-up in 2024, adding a healthy dose of extra tech for a fairly minimal additional cost over the Air. These additions include adaptive headlights, front sensors, blind spot detection, safe exit assist, heated rear seats and an electronic tailgate.

With prices starting from around £45,000 and rising to more than £62,000, it’s worth studying the standard kit list before deciding which model is right for you. It’s also worth noting that GT-Line and GT-Line S models can be had with an optional heat pump, which heats the cabin more efficiently in colder months and uses less electricity from the battery, preserving range.

27

Even though the Kia EV6 is based on the same architecture as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Genesis GV60, the EV6 feels the sportiest out of the three. That does mean the ride is firmer than those siblings, but it isn’t so firm that it becomes uncomfortable. The EV6 is a big car, so it isn’t the easiest to pilot around a small village, but it can still be fun once on a B road – even in entry-level rear-wheel drive form. The top GT model is a blast to drive with 577bhp, its fancier adaptive suspension and limited-slip differential. Read more about the Kia EV6's electric motors, performance and drive here…

A large 77.4kWh battery pack and impressive efficiency means the Kia EV6 should have plenty of real-world electric driving range between charges. What’s more, it has incredibly quick charging times, making the EV6 a breeze on longer trips. Like most EVs, insurance costs are higher than a traditional petrol or hybrid car, but low running costs and respectable resale values should soften the blow. Read more about the Kia EV6's range, charging and running costs…

There’s plenty of high-end technology aboard the Kia EV6 to fulfil the brand’s push upmarket. Two 12.3-inch digital screens dominate the interior, and a neat touch-sensitive control panel below the central screen can flip between multiple functions. The entry-level Air comes with everything you’d need, while the high-end GT-Line and GT-Line S trims have sportier styling touches. Read more about the Kia EV6's interior, design and technology

You get lots of useful storage cubbies inside the Kia EV6, plus there’s no shortage of charging spots for passengers to keep their devices topped up. Despite being longer than a Skoda Enyaq, the EV6 isn’t as spacious inside, with its swept-back styling limiting rear headroom for taller passengers. The boot isn’t as big as the Enyaq, but it’s still a useful size, and the EV6 has a separate space under the bonnet to store the charging cables. Read more about the Kia EV6's boot space, comfort and practicality…

Safety experts Euro NCAP awarded the maximum five out of five star rating for the Kia EV6 when tested in 2022, and the EV6 comes loaded with standard safety assistance features to (hopefully) prevent you from getting into a collision in the first place. As per all Kias, the EV6 has a long seven-year or 100,000-mile warrant. The EV6 ranked highly in the 2023 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, coming in seventh place out of 75 cars in the, so you’re unlikely to encounter difficulties with an EV6. Read more about the Kia EV6's reliability and safety…

Should you buy a Kia EV6?

The Kia EV6 is an outstanding electric vehicle. Its sizeable battery has enough range to suit anyone’s daily needs, and its high efficiency means you can easily tackle a long trip. For those who don’t have a home charger or regularly find themselves charging away from home, the ultra-rapid charging times of the EV6 alleviate the inconvenience of long waits when topping up the battery.

It doesn’t have the biggest boot, which might make an EV like the Skoda Enyaq a better option for families. The EV6 doesn’t have as plush a ride as that rival or a Genesis GV60 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. However, this is offset by a fun driving experience, plus the EV6 has all the performance you could need.