The Kia EV6 was The Car Expert’s Car of the Year 2022.
Summary
Launched in 2021, the Kia EV6 is the Korean brand’s first production car that has been specifically designed as an all-electric model and is closely related to the Ioniq 5 from sister brand Hyundai.
The EV6 debuts new and very bold styling, and comes in single-motor two-wheel-drive form or with dual-motor four-wheel-drive. Buyers are able to choose it on the emphasis on range, which depending on model stretches up to a battery range of 316 miles between charges, or performance, the flagship GT version boasting a sub four-second 0-62mph time.
Like the Polestar 2 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 sits slightly higher than a regular petrol-engined car but lower than an SUV.
Reviews of the EV6 have been universally positive, the car earning very high praise. Auto Express describes it as “a little sportier and more dynamic” than its Ioniq sister; “the styling sets the tone with a swoopier, curvier look to its profile.”
The Sun, however, argues that the EV6 is a “little more normal” than the Ioniq but adds “it does north of 300 miles between charges, drives well and has all the toys and luxury you would expect from a car at that price.”
For quite a large electric car, the EV6 is also quite sporty; “It really is excellent at dealing with those junction pull-aways and gap-threading,” says Top Gear, adding “it’s also quiet, calm and relaxing.”
The electric-specific platform liberates more interior space but reviewers also like the design inside, especially the curved instrument panel. “It looks very smart, with as many interesting touches as the exterior,” says Carbuyer.
More ticked boxes for the standard-fit ultra-fast recharging capability. “Nothing in this price range can get close to its recharging speeds, that will overshadow everything else when you are on a journey in a hurry,” says Electrifying.com. As of March 2024, Kia EV6 holds an excellent New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 81%.
EV6 highlights
- Choice of excellent range or performance
- Sprightly handling
- Ultra-fast charging capability as standard
- Well-designed and spacious cabin
EV6 lowlights
- More expensive than similar Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Slightly firm ride
Key specifications
Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £45,245 on-road
Launched: Summer 2021
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Kia EV6 has reliable 300-plus mile range, fast-charging capability and decent standard equipment. The Korean crossover is one of the best electric cars you can buy now.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Air
Score: 9 / 10
“The Kia EV6 Air will appeal to plenty of customers solely looking for a practical, all-electric family car with impressive range. It delivers on these fronts but there’s more, this entry-level EV6 feeling almost as premium as higher-spec models and just as good to drive. Add-in the significant cost saving and the Air could be the pick of the EV6 range.” (Alastair Crooks)
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
” Striking looks, generous space, well over 300 miles of range, the option of all-wheel drive and loads of tech ought to put this large car firmly on your shortlist and give you serious pause for thought before ordering that VW ID.4 or Skoda Enyaq.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 77kWh Air
Score: 8 / 10
“Against rivals like the Skoda Enyaq iV and Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Kia EV6 Air remains just as compelling as its siblings. The Air is only available with the lower-powered single-motor powertrain, but the battery size remains the same across the range, so you don’t gain any range by opting for the dual-motor 321bhp car. In fact, the Air is the longest-legged EV6.” (Piers Ward)
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Kia’s new EV flagship could be swish, spacious and swift enough to become the pick of the electric crossover bunch.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Interesting to look at, great to drive and all with excellent electric range – the Kia EV6 is a very good electric car.”
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Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“Dynamically well-mannered for a 2.5-tonne crossover, the Kia is well polished, from its intuitive, sustainable interior to its e-GMP skeleton.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The EV6 is a hugely important car for Kia, and it’s one that the manufacturer has truly nailed. With a good range and seriously impressive charging speed, it is an EV that can truly go the distance. It’s stylish to look at inside and out, and is really rather good to drive as well, comfortably setting it apart from many rivals.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.8 / 10
“The Kia EV6 is one of the best electric cars on sale, with a great range and rapid charging.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Kia’s new EV6 electric SUV offers a bold, modern design, a roomy and well-equipped cabin and a good all-round driving experience, plus super fast charging. It’s a great family EV.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: 77kWh GT-Line
Score: 9 / 10
“Although the Kia EV6 has a lot in common with its cousin – the Hyundai Ioniq 5, it isn’t just the same car with a Kia badge on it. Yes it’s more expensive, but it can go further, it can also charge faster than a Tesla, and if you go for the 577bhp GT version it will out-accelerate a Porsche Taycan 4S. Add Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty, and the EV6 really makes a compelling case for itself.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The first of the new breed of pure-electric cars from Kia impresses, offering sportier looks and handling than its Hyundai Ioniq 5 cousin.”
Author: Richard Ingram
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Electrifying.com
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Don’t underestimate the importance of the Kia EV6. While rivals might be able to match its performance, efficiency, space and driving dynamics, nothing in this price range can get close to its recharging speeds.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed:
“The Kia EV6 is a very impressive newcomer. It looks striking, drives beautifully, is packed with tech and offers a great driving range between charges – all for a price that will raise a few eyebrows too.”
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Model reviewed:
“For the time being, the EV6 is about as good as it gets in the new world of electric models and opens up fresh horizons for every motorist.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: GT-Line S
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia EV6 is a rounded and fundamentally sound electric car that’s distinctive without being off-putting.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: GT-Line 77kWh AWD
Score: 10 / 10
“Green Car Guide has tested every EV that’s ever been on sale in the UK and the Kia EV6 GT Line S 77.4kWh is one of the very best EVs that you can buy, and one of the very best cars with any powertrain that you can buy. It’s a genuinely rewarding driver’s car, it’s well designed inside and out, it has a good range, it can ultra-rapid charge, and it’s practical.”
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Model reviewed: EV6 GT Line 77.4kWh RWD
Score: 10 / 10
“The all-electric Kia EV6 is excellent to drive, the interior is well designed, it has a 328-mile range, and it’s available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“With a great driving experience and that decent range, we think that the Kia EV6 could well be one of the plug-in hits of 2022.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“EVs like the Kia EV6 give car makers a chance to wipe the slate clean. It’s an all-new car which comes without the preconceptions of how it should look, feel and drive that petrols have to shoulder. It’s fertile ground for a manufacturer to produce something special and Kia has done just that.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed:
“Electric SUV shares underpinnings with Hyundai Ioniq 5.”
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Move Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“If you want a good-looking, well-equipped, practical, spacious family SUV that is good to drive then the Kia EV6 could be the car for you. Sure it’s not quite as good on the road as the Tesla Model 3, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is perhaps a more comfortable choice, but to offer so much for such a competitive price makes it one of the most convincing electric cars we’ve ever driven.” (Sam Phillips)
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Parkers
Model reviewed: “Exciting new electric SUV offers long range and funky styling.”
Score: 9.2 / 10
“The Kia EV6 is a great all-round package. It’s one of the very best electric cars that blends striking looks with impressive battery and motor technology, giving it a maximum range of more than 300 miles and some seriously eye-widening performance.”
Author: Keith Adams
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The Scotsman
Model reviewed: Air
Score: 9 / 10
“The entry-level version of Kia’s family EV offers the same quality, space and driving performance as more expensive models and isn’t short on equipment.”
Author: Matt Allan
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Model reviewed: 77 kWh RWD GT Line
“Kia’s latest EV is ready to take on everything from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to the VW ID.4 and Tesla Model 3, and win.”
Author: Matt Allan
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“It feels very much like the future because that’s exactly what it is. Over-the-air software updates will keep it fresh. The Koreans are one step ahead with their electric car rollout.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: EV6 RWD GT-Line S
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia EV6 backs up its striking appearance with an on-road performance that puts it right at the front of the EV pack.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Air
Score: 10 / 10
“With a very usable range, a beautiful interior, vast amounts of passenger space, a smooth ride, a generous equipment list, a near-perfect ride, and handling that’s far more prone to inducing grins than that of an electric SUV has any right to be, the Kia EV6 is nothing less than a tour de force. That it feels as special as it does to look at and to sit in is just the cherry on top.” (Alex Robbins)
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Model reviewed: 77kWh GT Line AWD
Score: 6 / 10
“It wasn’t quite the revolution we thought it could or would be. The Kia EV6’s Ioniq 5 stablemate feels less pretentious and more desirable, despite its awful ride quality. Perhaps we expected too much of the new Kia, which in this specification is perfectly adequate but not the most sparkling drive.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“Kia proving that forward-thinking doesn’t need to be entirely wacky. An extremely attractive package that makes a lot of more premium manufacturers look at least two steps behind.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Kia EV6 is a fine electric car with a long range and the ability to charge up very quickly. It’s also huge in the back and good to drive.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The EV6 is a real statement of intent from Kia. It’s not perfect, with the limited boot space and headroom for tall rear passengers marking it down when it comes to sheer practicality. It also can’t challenge Tesla for range and performance. But it looks great, handles well, has excellent range, and is packed with premium design features and tech.” (James Morris)
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Kia EV6 is one of the best large electric cars we’ve ever tested. If its sister model, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, looks too wacky for you, the sleeker Kia could be the answer. Its electric system is not only powerful but also very efficient, while it can travel a long way on a single charge and be recharged quickly. The EV6 ticks most of the boxes as a large family car, too, and is a Which? Best Buy.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: May 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 90%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 87%
The Kia EV6 has received a full five-star rating from crash testers Euro NCAP, praised for its occupant protection features, and the long list of safety assistance features it has for avoiding a crash in the first place.
That said, Euro NCAP has given the EV6 a rather low vunerable road user score, as the car does not come with an ‘Active bonnet’ feature like other saloons – designed to mitigate the impact to a pedestrian’s head with the car’s bonnet in an accident.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of March 2024, the Kia EV6 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the EV6 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 317 miles | A | 300 – 328 miles | A – A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 4.1 m/KWh | C | 3.9 – 4.2 m/KWh | B – C |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 36 | C | 33 – 40 | C – C |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £288 | C |
| Year 2 | £546 | B |
| Year 3 | £863 | B |
| Year 4 | £1,012 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,330 | A |
| Overall | £4,039 | B |
The Kia EV6 should be a reasonably cheap car to own and run, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data. It’s also not surprising that running costs for the EV6 are almost identical to its closely related sibling, the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is average, but deecent battery sizes mean that the EV6 still gives plenty of range between charges – with all models offering an official driving range of at least 300 miles.
Insurance is middling, but servicing costs are better than average – and stay that way over the first five years, which is reassuring for both new and used EV6 buyers.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Kia EV6 has received
2024
- Business Motoring Awards – Best EV £30K – £45K
- What Car? Awards – Best Family Electric SUV
2023
- Auto Trader Awards – New Car of the Year
- Business Motoring Awards – Best Large EV
2022
- The Car Expert Awards – Car of the Year + Best Medium Car
- European Car of the Year
- EV Fleet World – Best EV Compact Executive Car
- Parkers New Car Awards – Best Large Electric Car
- Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Best £40K+ SUV
- Southern Group of Motoring Writers Awards – Car of the Year
- What Car? Awards – Car of the Year + Best Electric SUV
- What Car? Electric Awards – Best Large SUV
2021
- Top Gear Awards – Best Crossover
- What Car? Electric Car Awards – Reader’s Choice Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Kia EV6, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q4 e-tron | BMW iX3 | Citroën ë-C4 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Genesis GV60 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Nissan Ariya | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq iV | Subaru Solterra | Tesla Model Y | Toyota bZ4X | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volkswagen ID.5 | Volvo XC40 Recharge | Volvo C40
Pigeon-holing the Kia EV6 against regular petrol or diesel cars is difficult, as it falls somewhere between conventional liftback car and a high-riding crossover. Based on the way the latest generation of EVs is designed, with batteries underneath the cabin floor, it’s becoming an increasingly popular layout. The mechanically identical Hyundai Ioniq 5 is obviously similar, as is the Polestar 2.
A growing number of electric SUV-style crossovers are also lining up against the EV6; notably the Skoda Enyaq iV, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Nissan Ariya. Other than sitting up slighty higher, they offer very little difference in terms of cabin space and no inherent advantage in off-road performance.
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Kia EV6 at The Car Expert
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