Drive with us: Kia EV6 GT-Line Review (2022)

Kia’s exciting EV combines hot hatch looks with SUV practicality 

The Kia EV6 is one of the most sought-after electric cars on the road right now, thanks to its devilish looks and promises of a dynamic drive that can rival the likes of Tesla at the top of the EV game.

Built on the same platform as its sister car, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, they are two of the standout choices for anyone wanting a Tesla alternative for their next electric car lease deal. 

The Kia EV6 considers its main rivals to be the Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4 and the Ford Mustang Mach-e. 

It aims to deliver a more exciting drive, while also standing out from the crowd with a dynamic and head-turning design.

What did we drive?

Model: GT-Line 77.4kWh AWD

Transmission: Automatic

Power: Electric

Colour: Runway Red

Wheels: 19” alloy wheels

OTR: £44,195

Price of model driven: £50,695*

*Prices correct at the time of publication

Price

If you want to drive away in the entry-level EV6 Air, prices start from £44,195 and rise to £56,095 for the range-topping GT-Line S model.

This is marginally less than the OTR of a Tesla Model Y (£57,990), one of its fiercest competitors. 

Depending on your trim level, a Kia EV6 lease can start from £428 per month (ex VAT*). With a Tesla Model Y lease, the latter still comes out as the more expensive monthly option (£494 ex VAT*), but the cost difference between the two is close.

Prices for rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-e also start from a competitive £50,030 but quickly exceed both the Model Y and EV6 for their range-topping equivalents.  

*Prices subject to change

Electric Range & Charging

All EV6 models are powered by the same 77.4kWh battery pack, but you do have some flexibility in choosing between rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations. The latter packs more of a punch with 321hp but offers a lower claimed range at 314 miles.

The rear-wheel-drive edition of the EV6 comes with less horsepower at 226hp but will go that little bit further thanks to a claimed range of up to 328 miles.

During our Kia EV6 review, we averaged a more than reasonable 3.8 miles per kWh, which equates to a real-world range of roughly 295 miles from a full charge. I’m confident this could reach the 300-mile mark, especially in and around town, making it a very compelling option for those looking for an electric car that can go the distance.

With a claimed range of 314 miles, it’s one of the closest real-world vs claimed range experiences I’ve had.

It can be charged at up to 250kW, which will see it go from 10 to 80% in just 18 minutes. From your more common 7kW charger, it will take around 11-12 hours for a full charge, which puts it in the same ballpark as the Model Y and Mustang Mach-e.

The Kia EV6 is one of the many electric vehicles that can now use the Tesla Supercharger network, as part of their ongoing pilot scheme that saw the network opened up to rival manufacturers.

Drive

The EV6 is a comfortable and reliable electric car to drive. Even when in just the standard driving mode, it pulls away as nicely as you would expect. Drop into Sport mode and it is suitably punchy, handling corners with effortless control.

The driver has plenty of support behind the wheel and comfort levels are noticeably plush. It feels closer to a hatchback to drive than an SUV.

Its drive selector is a twisty dial in the centre console, which didn’t feel as premium or as comfortable to use compared to what we experienced in our Audi e-tron review, but this will largely come down to personal preference.

The EV6 is fitted with a firmer suspension than the Ioniq 5 and while you do feel it at times, it doesn’t ever feel too harsh.

It is not as dynamic to drive as the looks suggest it may be, but don’t let that take away from the quality. It feels very assured and composed on the road, everything you’d want from a family crossover.

Design & Interior

From the outside, the EV6 scratches the itch for those needing a more efficient family car, but don't want to give up on those dynamic, hot hatch styling traits. 

It has so many individual design features that make it stand out from other electric SUVs.

Only from the front of the car can you truly see how wide the body is. The front bonnet has creases and curves for added style, giving the EV6 is an unmistakable front profile.

At the rear, the long light bar looks very sleek and coupled with the spoiler, it looks very sporty, playing into that hot hatch/coupe feel.

Whether or not it trumps the Ioniq 5 for looks, we’ll let you decide. That was 50/50 in the Carparison office.

The interior is lovely place to be and drive, but some of the materials used in high-touch areas are perhaps not as premium as some of the rivals in this price bracket.

Space & Practicality

As spacious as the EV6 is inside, the boot space is competitive but not class leading. It features a small underfloor section and some power output options, but it’s an area where some rivals have the edge.

As it was the all-wheel-drive variant of the EV6 that we were testing, it means we missed out on the larger front trunk space. At just 20L, it’s almost not worth having. With the bigger 52L front trunk available on RWD variants, you can at least get a charging cable or a bag of shopping in. If it is something you will miss not having, consider leasing the rear-wheel-drive model.

The open-plan centre console does create an open and flowing cabin with some helpful storage opportunities.

Something I did notice – and I felt the same during our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review – is that it can make some elements, like the USB ports, feel further away, even with the flexibility in your seat position. In theory, it is a useful space, but I’m not entirely sure what I would be putting in the space day-to-day that wouldn’t go in the boot or in the armrest compartment.

It’s in the second row where things get quite impressive. With no need for a transmission tunnel, there’s a flat floor in the rear, meaning passengers have fantastic legroom and competitive headroom.

Six footers will be able to spread themselves comfortably. However, it is worth noting how high the floor sits due to the battery placement. It leaves taller passengers missing out on leg support – something that could bother them over longer journeys.

Technology

The EV6’s technology offering is comprised of two 12.3inch curved displays and while they’re not the most modern in how they look, they are very user-friendly.

The displays look very similar to what we found in our Hyundai Kona review. They’re easy to jump through to find the information you want, with clear menus and no elements that have been overcomplicated.

Beneath the two screens are a row of touch-sensitive buttons, which are a nice touch to break up the dashboard. It can switch between connectivity and your climate control buttons, so you can tweak it to your preference.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also both available as standard if you prefer connecting up your smartphone.

Safety

As a family-friendly crossover, safety is paramount and the EV6 scored top marks during its Euro NCAP safety ratings, with a 90 per cent score for adult occupants.

Forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist and driver attention warning all come fitted to the EV6 as standard, along with many other driver safety assistance technologies.

If you do upgrade to the GT-Line S for your next car lease, you'll get a fantastic 360-degree view of the car from the cabin, which provides peace of mind in tight spaces.

ISOFIX points are also available in both outer rear passenger seats, and the spacious rear gives you plenty of room to get them in and out with ease.

Model Lines & Equipment

Air – from £44,195

• 19" Alloy wheels
• 12.3" Curved Driver Display Screen & Touchscreen Navigation
• Kia Connect (UVO)
• Heated Front Seats and Heated Steering Wheel
• Vegan Leather Seat Upholstery
• High Gloss Black Door Mirrors
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Functionality
• Body Coloured Exterior Flush Door Handles
• Engine Start/Stop Button with Smart Entry System

GT-Line – from £47,195

(In addition/replacement of Air)

• 19" Alloy wheels
• Black Suede Seats with White Vegan Leather Bolsters
• Vehicle-2-load (3.5kw power outlet)
• Wireless Mobile Phone Charger
• Dual LED Headlights with Adaptive Driving Beam
• Driver & Front Passenger Premium Relaxion Seats

GT-Line S – from £51,695

(In addition/replacement of GT-Line S)

• 20" Alloy wheels
• Sunroof with Tilting & Sliding Function
• Smart Power Tailgate
• Meridan Premium Sound System with 14 Speakers & Active Sound Design (ASD)
• Augmented Reality Head-up Display
• Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA)
• Body Coloured Exterior Flush Door Handles - Automatic
• Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear-Cross Traffic Assist (RCTA) & Safe Exit Assist (SEA)

Verdict

If you’re looking for a family-friendly electric car, but can't shake that hot-hatch itch, the EV6 is the perfect middle ground.

It promises eye-catching dynamic looks through all its creases and curves but also delivers on everyday practicality.

A 300+ mile claimed range, decent space throughout, and hugely competitive charging times – this is another tempting option in the ever-growing EV space.

The biggest concern for Kia might be their Tesla rivals. Priced not far from the Model Y and Model 3, the added range and improved technology could be a deciding factor. The South Korean manufacturer will be hopeful the added dynamics and character in the EV6 gives them the edge.