Kia gives the EV6 a completely new front and of course a range of technical changes.
We already knew that Korean brands Hyundai and Kia were to be taken seriously when it came to specs for your money. Back in the Tesla Model 3 days, a Hyundai Kona or Kia Niro were pretty much the only cars that could match the Tesla’s specs and the fact that they were crossovers made them a popular choice. In fact, the Kona and Niro were slightly below the Model 3 in terms of size and platform and neither brand was yet facing headwinds from the upcoming Tesla Model Y. That has changed with the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6.
Kia EV6
You only have to drive around any Dutch suburb to realize that Kia has a hit with the EV6. The EV6 was released on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform and managed to bring some nice specs with it. Excellent range, 800V infrastructure to quickly charge an empty battery and for the enthusiast a GT version with a 0 to 100 sprint in 3.5 seconds. The flashy appearance divides opinions, but you get used to it. Three years later, Kia goes a step further: this is the renewed EV6 for Europe. The previously revealed EV6 was secretly still the one for Korea.
Appearance
Starting with the rear of the renewed Kia EV6, presented to us as the GT-Line. The excessive use of black painted plastic in the diffuser has been reduced somewhat. The ‘wings’ in paint colour under the black trim parts do look a bit Volkswagen ID.4-esque, but oh well. The light bar that continues from the ascending line from the side skirt remains, which keeps the EV6 recognisable. This does get a slightly different LED signature that is somewhat reminiscent of the new signature in the headlights.
The exterior innovations of the Kia EV6 are therefore mainly located at the front. Kia opts for special shapes such as daytime running lights, inspired by cars such as the EV3 and EV9 that were not yet available when the EV6 debuted in 2021. Here too, the front bumper looks somewhat like that of the ID.4, but with some special lines in it to create distinction. And yes, Kia conforms to two recent hypes that we can also do without: a continuous light bar at the front and ugly rims.
Unfortunately, you can’t just choose the version without GT-Line, because then you also get rather strange rims. Just like before, that is the version with a little less sportiness as the core point and a little more the robustness of a crossover in mind. Here, however, black plastic is sprinkled. It gives the EV6 a somewhat more crossover-like appearance than before the renewal. Whether that is a good thing, we will leave aside for now.
Interior
Inside, the surprises for the new Kia EV6 have been kept to a minimum. In broad terms, it is even exactly the same as the pre-facelift. The screen seems to have grown a little and no longer runs into the dashboard with a diagonal line and there is a new steering wheel. Kia has decided that, just like before, a small logo on the right side of the steering wheel is sufficient. The steering wheel controls are therefore slightly different in design, but will not deviate from the current recipe in terms of functionality. And it is now also adjustable in height and depth. Also new is a head-up display.
New in the interior is something Kia borrows from Genesis, namely the ability to start your car with your fingerprint. Not only does this lend itself to being able to start without a key, it also automatically loads your driver profile with your preferences. Oh yes, and the wireless smartphone charger can now charge at a higher wattage.
Technology
It almost sounds strange to say that a car presented in 2021 is behind, but the 528 km range of the Kia EV6 is no longer great with how quickly developments are going. Thanks to a new generation battery, a number of specs are being increased. First of all, the range: 582 km in the Long Range. This is thanks to an increase in volume from 77.4 kWh to 84 kWh. The EV6 gets a peak charging power of 258 kW, which allows you to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes. Within 15 minutes you can go from empty to 343 km of range. The Kia EV6 already had some pretty nice specs in terms of charging times, so the brand is happily building on that. Finally, the heat conduction is better regulated and the battery is lighter than before: one kilogram. Who does not honor the small…
Technology
Kia lets the renewed EV6 piggyback on the technical basis of other already known models, including the Genesis GV60 with which the EV6 shares a platform. This provides the possibility of that fingerprint, but also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ‘Digital Key’. That is the possibility to integrate your key into your smartphone. Then your physical key can stay at home.
Perhaps the most important aspect in a car: safety. Kia has equipped the EV6 with a stronger B-pillar on both sides and an airbag system with seven airbags. You hope you never need it, but it is there.
Nice! Cost? We don’t know yet. Kia wants the EV6 in the showroom by the end of September.
Comments
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marcomanta say
The tax authorities will be very happy with these heavyweights when the MRB starts.
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heckblende say
who exactly do you mean? because they are not allowed to keep the money or something.
I think it’s a bit of a calimero pauper comment
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foundick say
It remains a beautiful and uniquely designed car.
Nicely written article, by the way.
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Mike say
Not much more efficient in terms of consumption, the 10.2% higher range is mainly due to the battery being 8.5% larger. I had expected more from this in this phase of development.
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mashal say
I don’t get it. You expect the car to be more efficient with a facelift? Then you have to make other engines, lower weights or better aerodynamics, that’s more of a new car than a facelift.
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heckblende say
continuous lights are not a trend, you are a trend
#heckblende forever
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E550 say
He’s not growing old gracefully.
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Dutchdriftking say
It remains a haunted house. But it has sufficient ‘road presence’ so people will swallow it. Especially because the technology is good and the price tag in the current market is not even that crazy. But if you are not obliged to lease electric, a plug-in hybrid Passat seems to me a nicer lease car.
