Kia’s first dedicated EV or electric vehicle. Will be the first to come at the behest of Kia. So as that brand new electric flagship, the Kia EV6 has to be pretty cool. And it is. I am driving it today in Germany – where it has already garnered a lot of buyer interest. It is also nominated for German Car of the Year – where it has already won the award for the premium car sub-category. Built on Hyundai Motor Group’s new electric Global Modular Platform or E-GMP, the kias The EV6 shares a lot in common with its Hyundai alter ego – the Ioniq 5.
Read also: Kia EV6 all-electric car specifications revealed
SEE ALSO: Exclusive: Kia EV6 Review
The flared fenders are inspired by the Lancia Stratos of the 1970s. The overall proportions are generous and the EV6 is a head-turner
design
Although its look is it’s own. The design team went for a crossover look, and that is why many call it an SUV. To me, it’s a big hatch or yes – a crossover. A modern face, sleek edges and a rear that is particularly expressive. Although its proportions are substantial – the overall length is 4695 mm and the height is 1550 mm. The wheelbase is also generous at 2900mm. Our flared fenders are inspired by the Lancia Stratos of the 1970s. It has deployable door handles that sit flush with the body.
The EV6 is Kia’s first electric model and the first offering to use the Opposites United design language
Overall, this is the first car to showcase Kia’s new Opposite United design language. And you really see that in the rear taillight housing and styling. But even with the new design language, you still get something familiar as Kia’s ‘Tiger Nose’ grille is here – albeit reinterpreted. And it is also the first model to have the new Kia logo from the word go.
Dual 12.3-inch curved screens sport some really cool graphics with just the right mix of information
Cabin and Tech
We know that person very well now. The car is as sharp and modern as it looks from the inside. The clean cabin design is dominated by a curved 12.3-inch screen. The graphics are extremely well done, and the car gives you the right mix of essential information and a tech cool quotient. Connectivity, heads-up display, ambient lighting I think are a given. The floating central console is nice too and gives you wireless charging for your phone.
The cabin is made from recycled materials and has tons of technology to keep you hooked for a while
The car’s cabin uses a number of sustainable materials – such as recycled plastic bottles in the door panels and carpet. There is no leather option, although you can opt for ‘vegan’ leather upon request. The two-spoke steering wheel looks really nice and has pedals that set the desired level of regeneration and another button-down front. On the steering you also find the drive mode toggle – which is convenient.
The Sport Mode on the Kia EV6 stiffens the steering a bit and also adds a bit of sporty sound to go along with the crossover’s performance
Display
You have the usual drive modes like Eco, Normal and Sport – and if you long-press that button, you get Snow mode. The names of the modes tell what they do, but I’ll tell you about the eco modes. It also takes into account the car’s own onboard cameras for any obstacles along the way and coordinates with the navigation system – even if you’re not following a set destination. This way the car knows what kind of topography is ahead, what type of roads are, and then gives you the most efficient use of the battery and throttle. Put it in Sport mode, and the character changes dramatically. The car feels tough, which is good too, though there has been no change in the dumping. In Sport mode you have a nice and stiff steering, and the EV6 kind of sounds a bit different too, which I liked. Sport mode is actually very responsive. This is where I stayed all afternoon! I had a chance to take the car out on two runs, so I tried other methods too!
The Kia EV6 handles well and has weighted steering that keeps the drive engaging, especially in sport mode
driving range
The EV6 has a claimed range of 394 to 528 kms for the models sold in Germany. The top-spec EV6 GT with 584 bhp is coming soon. It has the lower end of the drive range, but the highest end of performance. With me today is the GT-Line version. It has a 77.4 kWh battery, and outputs 320 bhp. Torque is 605 Nm. A 2-motor setup means AWD is standard. The entry EV6 in Germany gets a 58 kWh setup with the same output but a shorter driving range. The top speed on both is 185 kmph, though that of the GT will be 260 kmph. The 225 bhp, rear wheel drive, single motor variant will be available in some markets, though not here in Germany. The EV6 handles well, and has an awesome weighted steering. The car looks attractive and keeps you interested all the time. And as I already said, Sport Mode engages all your senses. The battery is covered by Kia’s 7 year warranty which is available here in Germany – as standard.
Kia EV6 meets stringent Euro NCAP crash test requirements and comes with lots of safety technology
the protection
I guess the part doesn’t need to be said, but since the car is on sale in Germany, it meets stringent Euro NCAP crash requirements and has plenty of safety features as standard across all variants. This includes ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) like automatic emergency braking or AEB, blind-spot warning with camera view on both sides, cross-traffic collision avoidance and lane-keep assist. Then there’s an Electronic Stability Program or ESC, stability control Isofix child seat anchors, and more. Front, side and curtain airbags are also standard.
The EV6 could be Kia’s new flagship in India when it arrives, but there’s still some time left
Will it come to India?
Now being the first dedicated EV from Kia, this car had to be a flagship. It really had to stand up to everything that the company has achieved, in terms of its R&D, in terms of its capability, its technology, and so it’s really packed with everything – from the driver assistance system. Right up to the security, and even the very fine details on things like the quality of the material, like the screen, a lot of attention has been given to all of them and it is very clear. By the way, the boot gives you up to 490 litres, and has a ‘frunk’ upfront with an additional 52 litres.
The big question you’re asking is – why should you care? Will the EV6 come to India? The simple answer is yes, but it will not happen for at least 12 months. Kia India is looking at introducing an EV model – and we know it will be a born electric car. So that soul EV’s choice can be controlled. The EV6 makes the most sense from the point of view of size, shape, segment, feature and level of luxury and tech. But it will remain an exclusive flagship, as it starts at just over €45,000 in Europe too, making it ideal for just a few.
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