Skip advert
Advertisement

Kia EV6 to get bold new look for 2024

Kia’s first dedicated electric car will get design and tech refresh to bring it in line with larger EV9

Kia EV6 exclusive image

The Kia EV6 is set to get a completely new look, with the facelifted car heralding a major redesign to bring it closer in appearance to the brand’s newly-launched EV9 flagship.

Due towards the middle of 2024, the EV6 – Kia’s first dedicated electric car and the basis for a deluge of forthcoming EV-badged models – will get a cleaner front end and more distinctive daytime running lights (DRLs), Auto Express can reveal.

Marketing director for Kia Europe, David Hilbert, told us: “Some time in the future, there will be enhancements to [EV6], and having that common design language [with EV9] will be something to look forward to.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Hilbert wouldn’t elaborate on exactly which “enhancements” the EV6 would get, but hinted that commonality with the EV9 and EV5 SUVs, plus the EV3 and EV4 concepts, is all but a given.

This should mean the EV6 gets a slimmer set of headlights, as well as more recognisable vertical DRLs. It’s likely Kia will remove the current car’s narrow grille in favour of a single piece of slim black trim, while implementing a flatter front end, too. Expect the EV6’s fundamental shape to remain, with no dimensional changes planned at this stage.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

All of Kia’s most recent models – EV3, EV4, EV5 and EV9 – share their so-called ‘Starmap’ tail-light design, so it’s likely the EV6 will adopt a similar signature next year. However, the current car’s rear clusters are connected via a full-width lightbar – it remains to be seen whether chief designer Karim Habib will incorporate the new look while also retaining this original defining feature.

Inside the facelifted EV6, we expect a significant tech upgrade, possibly lifting the EV9’s three-screen layout wholesale. This would eliminate the need for the EV6’s slightly-fiddly touch panel, which cycles between the climate control and media functions – possibly adding physical buttons for the heating and ventilation like those found in the EV9.

We don’t expect huge changes under the skin, with the EV6 retaining its E-GMP platform and range of rear and dual-motor powertrains. The EV9 is offered with a larger 99.8kWh battery than the EV6, but this is unlikely to find its way into the smaller car, due both to size and weight. The Tesla Model 3 rival will retain its 800-volt architecture and high peak charge speed, however, for a 10-80 per cent top-up in less than 20 minutes.

Hilbert wouldn’t give us a definite time frame for the revised EV6, but said “Every three years is a facelift, and then a full model change every six.” This would suggest we’re likely to see camouflaged cars testing early in 2024, before a full reveal sometime in the summer.

Click here for our list of the best electric cars on sale...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

First look at new look Kia EV6: full reveal just weeks away
KIA EV6 Teaser front light
News

First look at new look Kia EV6: full reveal just weeks away

The first official images of the facelifted EV6 confirm it will sport a fresh new look influenced by the seven-seat EV9
2 May 2024
Best cheap fast cars
Best cheap fast cars - header image
Best cars & vans

Best cheap fast cars

These used cars offer the highest speeds for the lowest prices, and a lot of fun into the bargain
9 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: £2,000 off the space-age Kia EV6 with no deposit required
Kia EV6 Horizon - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: £2,000 off the space-age Kia EV6 with no deposit required

Our Deal of the Day for 4 April also comes with a low 2.9% APR interest rate
4 Apr 2024
Kia EV6 review
Kia EV6 - front tracking
In-depth reviews

Kia EV6 review

The Kia EV6 is a superb, all-electric family car that offers a quality interior and a sporty drive
27 Feb 2024

Most Popular

New 2024 Cupra Formentor gets fresh look and power boosts to keep hot streak going
Cupra Formentor facelift 2024 - front
News

New 2024 Cupra Formentor gets fresh look and power boosts to keep hot streak going

Cupra’s sporty SUV now produces up to 328bhp, while plug-in hybrid boasts 62-mile EV range
30 Apr 2024
Renault Megane E-Tech gets extra kit but is now cheaper than ever
Renault Megane E-Tech - front tracking
News

Renault Megane E-Tech gets extra kit but is now cheaper than ever

An energy-saving heat pump is now standard on every model, plus all but the base trim benefits from a larger 12-inch touchscreen
29 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: only £120 a month to put a Suzuki Swift on your driveway
Suzuki Swift - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: only £120 a month to put a Suzuki Swift on your driveway

The latest Suzuki Swift offers generous standard kit along with impressive fuel economy; it’s our deal of the day for 29 April at £120 per month
29 Apr 2024