LIKES
- Sleek design
- 577-hp GT model
- Estimated 300-mile range
- Bi-directional charging
- Qualifies for full $7,500 EV tax credit
DISLIKES
- Limited cargo room
- Rear-seat space?
- Hatchback or crossover?
- Price?
BUYING TIP
- The 2022 Kia EV6 is expected to go on sale early in 2022.
The 2022 Kia EV6 headlines Kia’s nascent electric vehicle portfolio with a dedicated platform and forward-looking design.
What kind of vehicle is the 2022 Kia EV6? What does it compare to?
The 2022 Kia EV6 is a battery electric crossover SUV similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Instead of plug-in versions of existing gas models, this new crop of distinct electric SUVs such as the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen ID.4, among others, head the vanguard of the electrified era of mobility.
Is the 2022 Kia EV6 a good SUV?
We won’t know until we drive it, but it looks promising.
What's new for the 2022 Kia EV6?
The EV6 is new, and its dedicated electric vehicle platform will underpin a series of Kia electric vehicles as well as Hyundai’s Ioniq EV lineup and planned EVs from Genesis.
The EV6 embraces contrasts inside and out, and visually occupies a space between crossover SUVs and hatchbacks. Its snub nose dips low into triangular headlights that point above the fenders and down the belt line to a single taillight bar that arcs over the liftgate. A fake rear skid plate and lifted rear bumper make the EV6 look most like an SUV and appear to rear up on its haunches, ready to pounce. That’s accentuated in profile by recessed rocker panels that flare up to the rear wheels.
The interior resembles current Kia vehicles with textured surfaces and a minimized center console. Yet it’s an evolutionary step forward, not in the least because the interior fabrics reuse 111 plastic water bottles. A spokeless steering wheel similar to what’s found on Genesis SUVs suggests a luxury lean, and a long, low, horizontal dash headlined by a curved wall of screens cleans the interior of clutter. The single pane of glass houses both a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Below it, a long band of haptic climate controls replace buttons, but they are flanked by dials.
At 185 inches, the EV6 is longer than the Ioniq 5 (182.7 inches) and nearly as long as the Tesla Model Y (187 inches), yet the wheelbase is nearly four inches shorter than the Ioniq 5, suggesting the rear seating area could be cramped by comparison. With the rear seats up, Kia estimates about 18 cubic feet of space, which is on the small side of electric crossovers. Fold the rear seats down and it expands to nearly 46 cubic feet, which is at least a baker’s dozen short of the Model Y and Mustang Mach-E.
Under the floor between the axles sits either a 58.0- or 77.4-kwh battery pack that powers a single motor for rear-wheel drive or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup. The smaller battery and single motor conspire to make 167 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while a GT-Line with the larger battery and AWD makes 321 hp and 446 lb-ft. A performance-oriented EV6 GT with a limited-slip rear differential makes 577 hp and 546 lb-ft, and is capable of going from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds, according to Kia.
In total, there will be six variants, but Kia didn’t disclose yet how they will be offered. The EV6 can tow up to 3,500 pounds, as long as there’s more than 35% battery charge left. The most efficient EV6 shoots for a 300-mile range, but that estimate awaits real-world confirmation. All versions can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, using 800-volt fast-charging. With the larger pack, the rear-drive models can recover 62 miles of range in less than 4.5 minutes.
Bi-directional charging enables the EV6 to supply 3.6 kw to charge large power tools, appliances, or another EV, Kia said. Other cool features include augmented reality for navigation, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and a suite of driver-assist systems that includes adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and other safety tech.
How much does the 2022 Kia EV6 cost?
Pricing and trim levels will be announced closer to the early 2022 sale date. Kia electric models still qualify for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
Where is the 2022 Kia EV6 made?
In South Korea.
0 comments:
Post a Comment