Kia EV6 - Interior, design and technology

​​Kia challenged its designers to produce a zero-emissions family car with a practical range, ultra-fast charging ability, a stylish exterior design, and a spacious, tech-filled cabin. Has it succeeded? Well, the answer can only be a resounding yes. The EV6’s range and charging ability are up there with the class leaders, and its sleek, purposeful look should appeal to modern EV buyers.

Onboard technology is a standout feature, too, with ​​the dash dominated by two 12.3-inch curved displays: one digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel and a central touchscreen for all the infotainment. The interior feels smart and up-to-date, with cabin materials of sufficient quality for a £45k-plus family car. There’s also a further nod to sustainability by offering vegan leather upholstery as standard.

Below the central display is Kia’s touch-sensitive control panel that you can toggle between climate controls and media settings. It’s easy to use, responds very quickly to inputs and makes the cabin look modern without forcing you to dig through numerous sub-menus to change the fan speed. That said, you still have to take your eyes off the road to use the panel, and resting your hand on the ledge of the centre console can result in you activating the heated steering wheel or heated/cooled seats. 

All EV6s are well equipped. The entry-level Air model is more than ready for family life with standard kit that includes climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-screen setup, integrated sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, numerous USB ports for connecting devices, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. 

For less than £1,000 more than the Air specification, the Horizon brings a generous helping of additional kit. This consists of front parking sensors, a safe exit assist system, heated rear seats, wireless phone charging, a power-operated tailgate, an electronically adjusted driver’s seat and adaptive headlights. You’ll also receive Kia’s ‘Premium paint’, although this is only available in Gravity Blue, Midnight Black or Interstellar Grey.

Moving up to GT-Line trim brings sportier styling tweaks, including upgraded front and rear bumpers, body-colour side sills and alloy pedals, while the top-spec GT-Line S version offers niceties such as bigger 20-inch alloys, a tilt/slide sunroof, a head-up display and an upgraded 14-speaker Meridian audio system.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The twin, gently curved 12.3-inch screens in the EV6 look fantastic, work well and offer clear graphics. Kia’s infotainment system is easy to use, the smartphone link works seamlessly, and the touchscreen display is responsive. It’s all laid out well, and the menus make sense. We like the use of black backgrounds for the menus because it reduces eye strain at night. Meanwhile, the driver’s display provides all the information you need.

There’s also a small touch-sensitive panel that switches between radio and air-con controls easily, and while we’d prefer real buttons here, the setup is impressive, and there are still physical dials to adjust the temperature, fan and volume settings quickly. 

It’s a clever, space-saving design and responds very quickly to inputs, but the panel is flush with no protruding edges to define each function, meaning you have to look down while driving if you want to use them. Resting your hand on the ledge of the centre console directly in front can result in you activating the heated steering wheel or heated/cooled seats by accident.