A premium-feeing EV at a value price? The attention-grabbing Kia EV6 is well worth a close look for your next lease.
For more than a decade, Kia Australia has been localising the ride and handling characteristics of its cars. The EV6 is the latest and this electric vehicle ticks a lot of boxes, even for luxury buyers.
What equipment does it come with?
The Kia EV6 offers a range of features across its different trim levels. Even the base model comes equipped with a long-range 77.4kWh battery, LED lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a comfortable interior with cloth and artificial leather seats, dual curved 12.3-inch displays, wireless phone charging, inbuilt navigation, and more.
Moving up a grade, you’ll enjoy additional features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, 64-color ambient mood lighting, an augmented reality head-up display, a premium 14-speaker Meridian sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a sunroof.
At the top of the range, the flagship EV6 GT stands out with features such as 21-inch alloy wheels, electronic controlled suspension, a distinctive GT body design with Neon Green brake calipers, and supercar-rivalling performance.
Kia EV6 Video Review
What’s it like inside?
Today is the first time that we’ve fired up and down the road’s length in an EV. Not because we think that EVs shouldn’t be subjected to the toughest dynamic tests, rather that their range makes it a fraught exercise given the distance back to base or a decent charging station. Again, the EV6 dismisses such concerns.
The Kia EV6 is a successful fusion of style and sustainability which should appeal to many modern electric vehicle enthusiasts. Its tech-filled cabin boasts dual 12.3-inch curved displays and smart controls, while quality materials and standard vegan leather upholstery underscore Kia’s commitment to sustainability.
The range includes well-equipped models throughout, with even the base version offering impressive features. Overall, the EV6 is a compelling choice for those seeking an eco-friendly and feature-rich electric car that feels a little bit premium.
What powers it?
The entry-level EV6 Air and the GT-Line RWD are both powered by a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 168kW and 350Nm. The mid-range model, the GT-Line AWD adds an additional 74kW/255Nm electric motor to the front axle, resulting in a total system output of 239kW and 605Nm. All EV6 variants feature a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery that supports 400- and 800-volt DC fast charging, ensuring quick and efficient recharging.
The EV6 GT boasts 430kW and 740Nm with an extremely fast claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds, making it easily the fastest accelerating Kia of all time and a match for many supercars.
What is it like to drive?
The Kia EV6 offers a comfortable ride, excelling on the freeway thanks to its assisted driving technology. It features a versatile i-Pedal setup for varying braking strengths, ideal for city traffic, though its length can be a challenge in tight urban streets.
On twisty roads, the EV6 shines, providing a thrilling and well-controlled driving experience with minimal body roll in corners. It offers responsive motors, and while Sport mode can be intense for daily driving, it adds to the fun. All-wheel drive models provide added straight-line speed, especially the high-performance GT model with enhanced suspension and a limited sip differential for agility.
How safe is it?
The Kia EV6 boasts a five-star ANCAP rating, highlighting its safety credentials. Standard safety features include dual front, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting curtain airbags, along with a central airbag to protect the front occupants.
Moreover, all EV6 variants come equipped with autonomous emergency braking, lane support with lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, and emergency lane-keeping.
What we like about it
It weighs as much as an SUV, though you’d never know it. It offers the interior space and practicality of the best crossovers and it delivers performance and dynamic capability that rivals several hot hatches. It’s probably closest to a mid-sized performance SUV and judged as such it is mightily impressive, especially that it rides with such stability and composure.
Find out how much a Kia EV6 lease will cost you
