2024 Kia EV6 Side Exterior – kia.com | Shop 2024 Kia EV6 on Carsforsale.com
The EV6 is Kia’s first foray into the all-electric world and it’s available with two different battery sizes and the choice of rear or all-wheel drive. Being an EV, it comes with either a single motor on the rear axle or one on each axle. The four trims available go from efficiency-focused to all-out performer. We especially like the EV6 for its excellent handling and responsiveness.
The 2024 Kia EV6 carries on into the year with no major changes. The only shift is the additional option for EV6 Light buyers to add the larger battery pack to their vehicle.
Outstanding handling
Premium interior
Tons of tech
Fussy HVAC controls
Limited total range
Tiny front trunk
A great EV overall
Kia offers two battery packs and three motor configurations in the EV6 and each has its highlights. The base version, dubbed Light, comes with a 58-kWh battery and a 167-hp motor on the rear axle. It’ll get up to 232 miles of range.
Next, the Wind trim comes standard with a 77.4 kWh battery pack and a 225 hp motor on the rear axle. It gets up to 310 miles of range. Notably, the same battery pack is available on the Light trim and buyers can choose either rear or all-wheel drive, the latter of which features 282 miles of range and 320 horsepower with 446 lb-ft of torque. The former makes the same 225 hp as the Wind RWD.
Next is the GT-Line which takes the battery and drivetrain options from the Wind but adds sporty styling, a sunroof, and some additional tech. What enthusiasts will clamor over is the GT trim. It combines two motors to make 576 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque. It comes standard with AWD but also has a drift mode and launch control. Use that last feature and you’ll go from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Of course, it also only manages 218 miles of range.
All EV6s benefit from excellent steering and feedback. They’re playful and fun to drive and the GT is objectively one of the best values in performance cars on the planet. Charging them up provides a very average experience though. In an optimal situation, the EV6 can go from 10 percent battery capacity to 80 percent in about 20 minutes. On a normal Level 2 charger, it’ll take about seven hours which is fine for those who charge at home. For those who can’t charge at home though, it’s a major problem.
The interior of the EV6 is one of the reasons we love it so much. It’s very premium considering its price tag and position in the market. The dash design is classy, the seats are comfortable and supportive, and several practical choices have layers of luxury throughout the cabin. The center control stack is mostly easy to use (we’ll come back to it though), the sight lines are good, and the materials feel upscale.
The rear seats are spacious too. As a taller person (6’6) it’s not always easy to get comfortable in a back seat but the EV6 is accommodating. The available sunroof is a nice touch too. Finally, we have to talk about this Kia’s storage situation because it’s better and worse than some major rivals. First, this is a proper hatchback which means that loading and unloading larger cargo is easy. With the seats folded down it features over 50 cubic feet of cargo space. Even with the seats up that figure is nearly 25 cubic feet.
On the flip side, this EV doesn’t have what we’d call usable storage in the front. Where Tesla and Ford have made space for a frunk, Kia has a very small storage cubby under the hood that can hold little more than a charging cord or a small bag.
Finally, Kia makes the EV6 feel like a real player in this market thanks to an excellent technology package. The infotainment system and digital gauge cluster are each 12.3-inch screens with excellent graphics and crisp coloring. Each one is configurable too. We especially like the integrated navigation with its 3D rendering of buildings. The GT trim comes with a special GT button that enables sharper response and maximum power too.
It’s not all perfect though. The dual-purpose HVAC and media keypad beneath the infotainment system is tiresome. A small button allows one to switch between these key functions but it’s easy to forget which one is selected and subsequently do something you don’t intend on doing like turning up the heat when you want to turn up the volume.
Beyond that, the tech package here is excellent. Kia also includes several safety features like forward collision mitigation, lane-centering tech, blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors. In addition, it scored five stars in crash testing with the NHTSA. Notably, after winning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS in 2022 and 2023 it failed to win one for 2024. The IIHS doesn’t say whether that’s because it didn’t test the car or if it failed to meet a specific criterion.
The base EV6 gets 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth with faux leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, integrated navigation, and a wireless device charger.
This trim includes full faux leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, front parking sensors, a 14-speaker sound system from Meridian, and a hands-free liftgate.
The GT-Line adds unique styling details, a sunroof, a heads-up display, evasive steering assist, a surround-view camera system, a blind-spot camera, and an automated parking system.
The alpha EV6 has 21-inch wheels, a limited-slip rear differential, adaptive suspension dampers, larger brakes, summer tires, manually adjustable sport seats, and unique styling.
It’s hard to beat the EV6 in its segment as it’s priced well, handles great, is very practical, and can be wildly fast too. The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 offer better range in most cases and can cost less. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is likely the only car that is a better value overall though as it’s nicer inside, is just as capable in the right trim, and is priced competitively.
2024 Kia EV6 Exterior – kia.com | Shop 2024 Kia EV6 on Carsforsale.com
Now that Hyundai has dropped the Ioniq 5 N it’s time for Kia to find a way to eke out more performance and more range from the EV6. Sure, they won’t be able to do that with the same trim but pushing the limits of each is worth it, even if it leads to two new trims to talk about in 2025.
In an optimal situation, it’ll go from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. In a typical home charging situation, it’ll take around seven hours.
You cannot charge an EV6 with a Tesla Charger.
The EV6 starts at $43,975 and can cost north of $62,000. Those figures don’t include any potential tax incentives.