2022 Kia EV6 | Review & Road Test

Описание: For the latest Kia EV6 pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/kia/ev6/

You’ve got the Kia EV6. This is Kia’s first vehicle on a dedicated electric platform and I’m not afraid to say I’m a fan. Besides the Hyundai IONIQ 5, with which it shares mechanical underpinnings, the EV6 competes with the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, and, depending on when you’re watching this, the Nissan Ariya.

There are 4 trims. Light, Wind, GT-Line, and GT. If you rolled your eyes just a little when I said Light and Wind, I understand. Starting with the base Light trim, the EV6 features a 58-kWh battery pack, a 168 horsepower (168hp) electric motor driving the rear wheels, zero to sixty sprints around 8 seconds according to Kia (0-60 mph: 8 seconds), and an EPA estimated range of 232 miles (58 kWh RWD: 232 miles).

The GT trim, not to be confused with the mellower GT-Line trim, is an absolute powerhouse. It’s not available as of when we made this video but if all-wheel drive, 576 horsepower, and zero-to-60 runs under 3.5 seconds seems cool, the EV6 GT could be the sporting electric car of your dreams.

Rounding out the technical overload, I have to mention that Kia utilizes an 800V architecture with the EV6’s battery packs allowing for fast recharge times. How fast? Kia says, a 10% to 80% charge should only take 18 minutes…provided you’ve got access a 350-kW DC Fast Charger, which you might not. Use a more common 50 kW charger and that charge time rises to more than an hour. And, with a level 2 home charger, you can expect a full 77.4 kWh battery in about 7 hours.

The GT-Line trim I’m driving has a sporting demeanor that aligns with the EV6’s stylistic statement. The steering has a precise feel with natural levels of electric assist. At rollicking speeds, the EV6 is a joy to turn, providing ample grip for a good time.

During standard commutes the suspension delivers a comfortable ride that acknowledges the road without being overpowered by it. Meanwhile visibility is hindered by thick pillars but not so egregiously that an owner wouldn’t get used to it.

One of my favorite parts of the EV6 driving experience though, is the brakes. In many electrified cars, the brake pedal has a spongy, unpredictable feel that drives me mad.

Being an electric vehicle, the EV6 also offers 4 regenerative braking intensities including a one-pedal drive mode that comes to a stop just as smoothly as I can. Oh, that was a hard sentence to speak. FYI, with a fully charged battery and nowhere to store the reclaimed electrons, the regenerative braking function doesn’t work.

Straight lines aside, feeling that immediate electric push as you exit a corner is grand. Another grand feeling is when you don’t crash your car. Fun! Helping make that possible is a range of standard active driver assist features like lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning, and full speed dynamic cruise control.

As for the interior, it’s sleek & contemporary without looking needlessly weird. More importantly, the EV6’s skateboard like platform and long wheelbase enables a spacious cabin.

At 24.4 cu-ft, the EV6’s trunk offers workable space though the Hyundai IONIQ 5, VW ID.4, and Mustang Mach E all offer more cargo room. Out front there is a frunk but it’s cozy.

Now, I’m sure you’re wondering about price. Excluding any wacky dealer upcharges, the base EV6 Light trim has an MSRP just shy of $41-grand ($40,900). That doesn’t include $1,215 in destination charges nor the $7,500 federal tax incentive the EV6 is eligible for or any potential state incentives. In base form, the EV6 comes with heated front seats, wireless phone charging, smart key access, and dual 12.3-inch screens for gauge cluster and infotainment duties.

At long last, the electric vehicle marketplace is filling with interesting choices. EV’s are no longer just compliance vehicles. To me, the Kia EV6 proves we’ve turned a corner.

Not only is the EV6 a real car. But it has the performance, range, style, and speedy recharge abilities to be a truly desirable car. It’s hard to predict the future but I suspect it’s going to look something like this.

00:00 2022 Kia EV6
0:36 Competitors
0:53 Trim Levels
3:24 Driving Impressions
5:35 Interior