Kia EV6, Track Test

When we first drove the Kia EV6, I called it the best electric car in the world, if the price was right, of course. Fast forward a few months, and now that we have a little more perspective after experiencing the BMW i4 and Volvo XC40 Recharge, my claim wasn’t far off the mark.

Let’s start with the design because the EV6 definitely looks cool. All the cuts, creases, bulges, and fancy lights come together to make the EV6 look different and striking. There’s an equal amount of out-of-the-box thinking going on inside, with a household socket nestled below the rear bench, a row of touch-sensitive shortcut keys on the dash, which can switch between climate and media controls, ambient lighting, and the single-spoke steering. The cabin indeed is different but also very cleverly executed. That said, there are some areas where it feels less radical and more like the pocket-friendly Kias that we are used to.

In terms of powertrain, the EV6 scores well again. There are two variants on offer – a single-motor RWD, with 226bhp, 350Nm, and a claimed ARAI range figure of 708kms, and a dual-motor AWD, with 320.5bhp and 605Nm. Both variants get a 77.4kWh battery, 800-volt charging architecture, and V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability.

Brochure talk aside, the EV6 is a very mature car on the road. It has the rapid acceleration that EVs are known for, but it also corners well and hides its weight impressively until you really get to the limit. And if you turn off traction control, you can also enjoy some silly sideways action. The fact that it offers a mega range further helps its case as an everyday-usable EV, but there’s no getting away from the fact that it is slightly on the expensive side. It’s definitely more car for the money than the Bimmer or the Swede, but the Kia badge lacks snob value, and the overall quality is not up there with the best.

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