Kia EV6 review - Range, charging and running costs

Every EV6 features a 77.4kWh battery that’s used to power either one or two electric motors, depending on your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive setups. The trim level and size of alloy wheels can also affect the sleek family EV’s range. RWD single-motor versions offer the longest range in the EV6 lineup – up to 328 miles from a single charge – though AWD dual-motor models aren’t far behind with a maximum range of 314 miles.

The 577bhp EV6 GT is powered by the same 77.4kWh battery, but it offers a maximum range of 263 miles – nearly 50 miles less than the regular AWD EV6.

When we tested the EV6 Air, which is available exclusively in rear-drive form, we drove it across a mixture of urban roads and motorways, yet didn’t see the efficiency figure drop once when started cruising at high speeds. In the end we managed to consume a steady average of 3.9 miles per kWh, which equates to a real-world range of 302 miles.

The AWD EV6 also proved to be the more efficient car in our twin test against the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX, returning 3.1mi/kWh, compared with 2.7mi/kWh for the VW. It’s worth noting that we tested these cars in very cold conditions that can dramatically reduce the range of electric cars. To help in colder conditions, buyers can add a heat pump to GT-Line and GT-Line S models that warms the cabin in the colder months without eating up the driving range.

The EV6’s official range is on par with rivals like the VW ID.4, Skoda Enyaq iV, Tesla Model Y and Nissan Ariya, but the trick up its sharply tailored sleeves is its class-leading ultra-fast charging capability. Like its Hyundai Ioniq 5 sibling and the Porsche Taycan, the EV6 uses an 800V charging system and if you’re able to plug into a 350kW ultra-rapid charger, a 10 to 80 per cent top-up takes just 18 minutes. Fully replenishing the 77.4kWh battery in the EV6 takes roughly 12 hours from a 7.4kW home wallbox.

Until 2025, all electric cars, regardless of list price, are exempt from road tax (VED) in the UK and the London Congestion Charge, which could save EV6 drivers more than a few quid. Company-car drivers will also enjoy the 2 per cent Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate the EV6 attracts at the moment.

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Insurance

RWD EV6 models sit in insurance groups 34-35 (out of 50), depending on the chosen trim, AWD versions land in group 40 and the ballistically quick, 577bhp EV6 GT is in group 45.

Insurance premiums for electric cars are often more expensive than for their petrol or diesel-powered alternatives, and that applies to the EV6. For example, while the most basic EV6 Air sits in insurance group 34, a top-of-the-range Kia Sportage PHEV that costs about the same lands itself in group 26. 

The higher premium may not sway your intention to go for a battery-powered family car, but the extra cost will eat into any potential savings from running an EV.

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Depreciation 

The EV6’s stylish design, electric powertrain and its relative newness mean that residual values are pretty strong. All models are predicted to hold on to around 57-59 per cent of their list price over a typical three-year/36,000-mile ownership period. This puts the EV6 ahead of both the Skoda Enyaq iV and Hyundai Ioniq 5, which are expected to retain 48-53 and 43-48 per cent of their original values respectively over the same three-year period.

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our valuation tool...