Kia EV6

The all-new Kia EV6 is a ground-breaking and the first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) from the brand in India. The car is a mix of an SUV and a hatchback and sets the standard for the future of sustainable transportation. With a high-range battery, the EV6 is designed for long-distance travel and is packed with cutting-edge technology and comfort.

The car has been crafted for a special class of people looking for an EV that's practical, stylish and packed with features. The EV6 goes against the likes of the Volvo XC40 Recharge, while there is also a less-expensive alternative in the form of the Hyundai IONIQ 5.

Kia EV6 was revealed to the world in March 2021, followed by its launch in India in June 2022. The car has been highly inspired by crossover and looks highly futuristic and modern.

The car was launched in two trims in India, namely, GT Line RWD at Rs. 59.96 lakhs and the top-spec GT Line AWD at Rs. 64.95 lakhs, ex-showroom. It is presently imported into the Indian market as completely built units (CBU), with only 100 units allotted in 2022.

With an overwhelming response from across the country, the company has managed to sell over 432 units since its launch. The car has been recently bestowed with the crown of the 2023 World Performance Car at the New York International Auto Show.

At first glance, the EV6 appears to be something different, and the striking design gives it a unique road presence. The car is built on the e-GMP platform shared with sibling Hyundai IONIQ 5 and falls something in between an SUV and a hatchback.

• The headlights are nicely enclosed inside the eye-lash-styled LED DRLs. The sleek faux grille resides beneath the clamshell bonnet, with the air dam located at the lower section of the bumper.

• From the sides, the EV6 looks seamless and flowing, with the roofline courteously blending into the spoiler. The crystal-cut 19-inch alloy wheels not only look pleasing but also enhance the aero efficiency.

• The rear profile is equally striking, with the LED taillamps extending across, making the shape of an arc and mirrored by the textured panel below, which also sports the turn indicators. Overall, the car looks unique and charming.

The cutting-edge cabin is minimalist, with the digital stuff on the dashboard focused towards the driver. There is a nice dose of innovation inside. The materials used are of high quality, especially for the dashboard and the doors. The cabin also features sustainable materials, including vegan leather accents for the seats and the steering.

• The dashboard boasts a large curved display that sports two 12.3-inch screens. One is used for infotainment, while the other act as a digital driver display. The touchscreen infotainment comes with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system offers high-end decibels.

• The car comes with some stand-out connected car features that make driving more convenient. These include remote climate control, remote charging control, surround view monitoring, remote engine start, AI voice control and navigation.

• The passengers are pampered with features like 10-way electrically adjustable and ventilated front seats, head-up display, sunroof, dual-zone air conditioner, push-button start, rain sensing wiper and wireless smartphone charger.

• The driving position is upright, with ample space at the front. At the rear, three adults can sit abreast comfortably with excellent legroom. The seat back can be reclined at a touch of a button giving a really pleasant and comfy feeling.

• Boot space of 520 l is more than enough; however, you can increase the luggage up to 1300 l by using the 60:40 rear seat split functionality.

The safety equipment is top-notch, and you get plenty for the money.

• The EV6 comes with 8 airbags, with a braking mechanism including ABS, brake assist and multi-collision brake assist and all-wheel disc brakes.

• The stability is ensured by features like ESC, hill start assist and vehicle stability management.

• The most interesting aspect of this vehicle is the range of the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). These include forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, blind spot collision detection and avoidance, rear-cross traffic avoidance and driver attention warning. The 360-degree camera plays a crucial role in performing many of these tasks.

The EV6 gets a powerful 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that makes 229 horsepower and 350 Nm in the GT Line RWD variant, while the same motor produces 325 horsepower and 605 Nm torque in the AWD model.

• EVs are quick, and the Kia EV6 doesn’t disappoint in this department at all. The acceleration is impressively quick, and the speed builds linearly right up to the top speed of 192 kmph. The claimed 0-100 kmph sprint comes in just 5.2 seconds.

• The handling is also remarkable as the car goes around the corner brilliantly. During the real-world speed and corner encounters, the body roll is well contained, given its nearly 2-tonne weight. The steering weight is decent, with a below-average feel and feedback.

• The car feels planted at cruising speeds, and the braking system offers good enough bite even during panic situations. The vehicle also offers regeneration motor braking, which can be adjusted via sports paddles on the steering wheels.

• The Eco, Normal and Sport driving modes alter the engine and dampers settings to offer different driving experiences. The Normal is ideal in most situations, while Sport mode shifts all the power and torque to deliver a blistering driving experience.

• Another interesting aspect of the car is the option of powering electrical devices such as laptops and refrigerators and even transferring charge to another EV6.

• The car can be fast charged from 10 to 80% in 18 min using a 350 kW DC charger. Charging the same amount via a 50 kW charger will take about 73 min. The car also comes with a 22 kW standard wall box charger, which may take over 8 h for a full charge.

EVs are the future of mobility. Therefore, when you own such a futuristic eco-friendly luxury vehicle, you must go a step ahead and choose revolutionary car ownership services. The Park+ app lets you reserve parking space near your destination and offers services like doorstep car washing, car insurance, FASTag recharge, checking real-time traffic challans and much more at your fingertips.

The brand also aims to empower businesses and fleet operators by offering them to set up EV charging stations at their desired locations, such as hotels, malls, residential societies, etc. Download the app now and explore immense possibilities.