It was only in 2018 when it launched its first
EV, the e-Niro. This was a decent enough offering at the time but how times have changed.
Six short years later and we have this model,
the EV6, which has been joined the bigger EV9,
a stunning vehicle for a new age.
The EV3, which will have more appeal for
those on a budget, will soon silently follow.
Soon after e-Niro, Kia began introducing
its first bespoke electric model, with the EV6
launching in 2021 on a specific architecture
that brought some major advancements in the
electric car world.
This is a dashing sporty version of the EV6
called the GT. And while the car is quick (0 to
60mph in 3.5 seconds) it’s the rapid charging
which will be of more practical appeal.
Only 18 minutes is needed to get the battery from 10 to 80 per cent with a fast charger.
Remember when slow charging was an issue?
Well, at this rate it really won’t be long before
we charge faster than we can full up a traditional car with petrol.
A vehicle-to-load function also means that
WHAT a transformation.
Kia was hardly a force
in the electric vehicle
market a few years ago
but now it is one of the
brands which seems to
rule the roost.
the EV6 can provide power to external devices
and even charge up another electric vehicle if
required.
This car is a joy to behold. A powerful front
motor delivers 215bhp while the rear motor
manages 362bhp. The two motors combined
deliver 80 per cent more power than the next
most powerful EV6.
Many people view electric models as safe,
almost dull, models. But there is nothing dull
about the way this car progresses. The 0 to
60mph time is more akin to a sports car than a
family motor.
The price is the elephant in the room. More
than £60,000 for a Kia sounds like a lot of money but very few if any will buy the car outright.
The running costs including leasing are more
important these days.
There’s a lot to like about the way the EV6
drives. Starting with its exceptional refinement, as even at motorway speeds there’s minimal road noise, and the combination of this,
the EV6’s long range and fast charging speeds
make it ideal for long trips. Range anxiety
should be eased.
It is a fairly large crossover, as many EVs
seem to be. Well, that’s the body style which
best suits this mode of power with its heavy
batteries and power plants.
Despite being a large crossover, the EV6
drives and handles keenly.
It has some astonishing technology. Take
the all-new Electronic Limited Slip Differential
(e-LSD) which enhances traction and stability when cornering by automatically moving
torque to the wheels with most grip.
Or the Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) which delivers agility and comfort through continuous management of the
semiactive High-Performance Dampers; new
springs are nine per cent softer at the front and
11 per cent stiffer at the rear.
No wonder the EV6 GT was announced as
the winner of World Performance Car of the
Year.
The GT is more than just a title. It also incorporates a new ‘GT’ driving mode which, when
activated via a steering wheel-mounted button,
optimises components such as the motors and
suspension to deliver a more dynamic drive.
A Drift Mode enables more sideways action,
should you be so inclined.
Like other Hyundai and Genesis models that
also use the same platform, the Kia EV6 is a
deceptively big car, particularly when it comes
to its width as it will take up most of a typical
car park space. But other than when parking it
doesn’t feel its size.
Even a few years after its launch, the design
is still as striking, especially around the back
where it gets a cool LED light bar that stretches right across the rear of the car. The design
is quite different to anything else on sale, and
isn’t the most obvious ‘SUV’.
The main feeling inside the EV6 is the sheer
level of space. The use of a platform designed
purely for electric cars gives Kia more freedom, with far more floor area in the front and
rear than a typical petrol model. There’s loads
of room in the rear for adults, while the boot
measures a handy 480 litres, though it’s a bit
shallower than those of rivals.
The cabin is also dominated by a huge
curved display that incorporates a touchscreen
and digital dial display, both of which are great
to use.
Another cool touch is a strip of buttons
beneath the touchscreen that have two uses –
varying between climate settings and traditional audio functions at the press of a button.
Even the standard EV6 is well equipped.
Even the entry-level Air trim comes with vegan leather seats, heated front seats, adaptive
cruise control and the impressive curved display.
EV6 proved a ground-breaking electric car
when it launched two years ago and even now
it continues to stand out in an increasingly
competitive market.
A long electric range and extremely quick
charging speeds make it suitable for long-distance runs, while its spacious interior and a
good all-round driving experience add to the
appeal. The Kia EV6 continues to sit right at
the very top of the electric SUV market.
Kia EV6 GT: £62,645; A 577bhp electric motor
generating power via all four wheels; Top speed
162mph and 0 to 60mph in 3.5 seconds; Combined range 262 miles. City range 339 miles;
Seven years warranty, 100,000 miles. Anti-perforation warranty (12 years/unlimited mileag