Test bench | Kia EV6: affirmation of identity

Designed by the team of Montreal stylist Karim Habib, Kia’s EV6 tries to dilute its family ties with the Ioniq 5.

Eric LeFrancois
special collaboration

Kia’s manifesto

The EV6 presents itself as “the manifesto” of Kia’s new posture. Determined not to define itself only hollow, the manufacturer – caught between Ioniq, promoted to the rank of electric brand in its own right, and Genesis, chic signature of the South Korean group – indeed wants to become the champion of smart cars , original and “electrifying” to drive.

She’s not particularly pretty, but you notice her instantly. The silhouette of the Kia EV6, both smooth and completely horizontal, contrasts with the current standards of automotive design, which focus on accentuating the effects of volume by sculpting the sheet metal to give it muscle.

For Kia, a South Korean brand with a still timid notoriety, but which is enjoying growing success all over the world, the important thing is that EV6, the name of its new electric car, makes an impression. In short, the objective is first that we remember that it is not a clone of the Ioniq 5.

To the eye, no chance of associating them. Lower, longer, but just as stocky as the Ioniq 5, the EV6 has a curious silhouette. Very aerodynamic, the lines of the EV6 participate in efforts to reduce consumption, but the “futuristic” bias of this long car, with its lanky style, appears overplayed. The EV6 is certainly original, but risks, like many Kias, aging badly. In this period of energy transition, the important thing is not to please the greatest number, but to attract attention. And the EV6 has it all.

Like the Ioniq 5, the EV6 skips the rear wiper. However, the lower slope of the bezel allows the Kia to provide a much higher rear vision in this season which smears our vehicles.

Like a “real” car

Singular, but not to the point of being extravagant, the EV6 opens its doors on a passenger compartment with rather classic shapes. Sitting in a slightly elevated position, the driver has a clear view. Gear selection is done using a wheel, installed at the tip of the center console, which falls naturally to hand.

In the dashboard, high-definition (HD) screens are king. Kia installs two of them – one behind the steering wheel, the other in a central position – which allow you to scroll through the desired information without having to take your eyes off the road too much. Well seen, except for the luminescent strip flanked by two buttons which allow you to adjust both the temperature of the cabin (the maximum is set at 27 ° C) and the volume of the audio system. Rather confusing at first, but you get used to it.

These refinements are the pride of Kia, but they are expensive and have imposed compromises.

We quickly notice that, if the quality of manufacture and the rigor of the adjustments have not been sacrificed, the quality of the materials, on the other hand, has been considered as an adjustment variable.

To contain the costs, it was necessary to opt for materials sparingly foamed, even, in the lower part of the dashboard and the storm doors, for plastic of inferior quality.

Space is significant in the rear seats, but the height of the floor (under which the batteries are housed) combined with the arc of the roof means that headroom is limited. The same comment applies to the trunk which, despite its modularity (folding backrests and tailgate), is tiny if you want to hide everything under the luggage rack.

Rather sporty in behavior

The EV6 offers two drive modes (rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive). This choice dictates the number of motors and the range. The latter can in principle reach almost 500 km. To envisage such a radius of action, it is necessary to drive with infinite tact. Never mind, in this test carried out in the middle of winter, the EV6 proved to be surprisingly frugal with an average consumption of 18.7 kWh.

Although its appearance does not explicitly evoke it, the EV6 is a sports sedan despite weighing some 2 tons, which are still felt when all the driving aids are disconnected. Accelerations are vigorous (Sport mode) and instantaneous. At the wheel of this Kia, we especially appreciate the flexibility of a car that we can drive for kilometers without touching the brakes, simply by playing on the deceleration when lifting the accelerator pedal. Sensations that are lacking when you get back on board a classic vehicle.

The road behavior is very serious. The weight of the car and the firmness of its suspension allow it not to pitch in the curves and give it a certain agility. In town, we will appreciate the reasonable size, but we will be wary of its turning circle. The fairly low center of gravity of the vehicle does not disturb the behavior, but the electric power steering, soft in town, lacks consistency when it comes to venturing on the fast lanes. As for the anti-lock braking system, it intervenes much too inopportunely, regardless of whether braking regeneration is activated or not.

Technical sheet

Electric motors)

• Synchronous with permanent magnets
• Standard range – propulsion – 1 engine Power: 168 hp, torque: 258 lb-ft
• Long range – propulsion – 1 engine Power: 225 hp, torque: 258 lb-ft
• Long range – integral – 2 motors Power: 320 hp, torque: 446 lb-ft

Performance

• Weight: 1822 kg (drive, standard), 2114 kg (all-wheel drive, long range)
• Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 5.4 s (with all-wheel drive)
• Maximum towing capacity: 1043 kg (all-wheel drive only)

Gearbox

• Standard: automatic
• Optional: none
• Drive modes: rear wheel drive (rear wheel drive) or all wheel drive (4 wheel drive)

Charging time

• 58 kWh or 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery
• Level 2: 6.43 hours
• Level 3: 18 min at 350 kW or 53 min at 50 kW (from 10% to 80% load)

Full load autonomy*

• Standard (rear-wheel drive): 354 km
• Large (drive): 488 km
• Large (all-wheel drive): 414 km

*Manufacturer data

Dimensions

• Wheelbase: 2900mm
• Length: 4680mm
• Height: 1545mm
• Width: 1890 mm (external mirrors folded)

Tires

1, 2 and 3

After the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, the Genesis GV60 (our photo) will be the third vehicle of the Hyundai group to deposit its plastic on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture. The latter has the particularity of operating under a voltage of up to 800 V and a maximum charging power of 240 kW. It can also power external electrical accessories such as a television or an air compressor.

A first prize

For the first time in its young history, Kia won the honors of the European Car of the Year Prize awarded by a jury of 59 journalists from the Old Continent. The South Korean electric model scored 279 points, ahead of the Renault Mégane E-Tech (265 points) and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (261 points). The EV6 is the third 100% electric vehicle to receive this prestigious award after the Nissan Leaf (2011) and the Jaguar I-Pace (2019).