Kia was the first of the Hyundai-Kia partnership to fully unveil their new all-electric 2022 EV6 CUV based on the company’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform known as E-GMP, the Hyundai Ioniq5 being the family sister ship.
The all-electric Kia EV6 is a sizable crossover with a wheelbase of 114.2-inches, the same as the brand’s full-size Telluride SUV. With short overhangs, the five-passenger crossover is comparable in size and scope to the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y.
Styling as expected here leans into the futuristic. Sporty and high-tech in flavor, the EV6 features what Kia calls a “Digital Tiger” grille design with sequential LED lighting elements front and rear. It’s coupe-like roof line with high rear-deck and details such as Tesla-like flush door handles serve to give it the visual bonafides it needs here. With sizes range from standard 19 to 21-inches in size.
The cabin is rich and thick with futuristic touches like a full width dual screen driver cockpit, fully connected interface and infotainment systems, and all of the LED lighting snaz you can absorb. The look however is contemporary Kia right down to the shiny piano black materials that always look dusty even when they are clean.
Kia says it is all however eco-friendly with extensive use of recycled plastics 100% vegan leather surfaces. Spaciousness is the watch word here though. With a flat-floor afforded by its centrally located battery pack, there is some 102 cubic-feet of passenger volume.
Storage behind the second-row is 27.7 cubic-feet and 53.5 cubic-feet with the seats down. While the cargo floor isn’t entirely flat, getting to it is easy with a power lift-gate. Using this space is key as the EV6 doesn’t have much of a “frunk” space like other competing electric CUV’s due to its powertrain packaging.
In that way, the Kia EV6 will be available with a wide variety of powertrain and battery options. The headline of course is the all-powerful EV6 GT with 576 horsepower, all-wheel drive and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds.
Base models however will be available with just rear-wheel drive and a starting power rating of 167 horsepower. Between base and GT are other variations including a RWD 218 horsepower level and a 313 horsepower AWD model.
Maximum range will be up to 300 miles. Available in two sizes of 58.0 kWh and 77.4 kWh, the E-GMP architecture puts the Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese battery packs under the floor for a low center of gravity.
Available is an industry first 800V multi-charging architecture that allows for ultra-fast DC charging of up to 210 miles charge in under 18 minutes, some 70 miles added in as little as 5 minutes. Level 2 charging more common, can recharge to 100 percent in 7 hours.
With all of its battery power, the EV6 can be a power source with up to 1900 watts for tailgating, camping or other on-the go needs.
The 2022 Kia EV6 goes on sale early in 2022 starting with a limited “First Edition” of 1500 units that can be reserved at the Kia website starting on June 3rd. pIt features a number of key features and packaging along with with 313 horsepower dual-motor AWD and the longer range 77.4 kWh battery.
