New-look Kia EV6 gets more range and faster charging
Kia has treated its EV6 electric crossover to a mid-life makeover, delivering extra range and enhanced charging along with latest styling and technology.
On sale now, priced from £45,575 and with three grades on offer, the latest version of the brand’s first dedicated EV gains a larger battery, delivering 84kWh compared to 77.4kWh before.
Available across rear- and all-wheel drive variants, it’s capable of up to 361 miles of range – compared to 328 miles before.
Charging speed also increases – now standing at 258kW, up 8% from the previous 239kW. The new battery can deliver a 10-80% recharge in 18 minutes and deliver 213 miles of range in some 15 minutes.
The launch line-up for the facelifted EV6 replicates that of the EV3 and EV9, and includes Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S versions, and a choice of single-motor, rear-wheel drive (RWD) and dual-motor, all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains. The range-topping GT model will arrive later.
The entry-level version is the Air grade, solely featuring a RWD set-up that delivers 230hp of power, along with 350Nm torque and the maximum 361-mile range.
GT-Line and GT-Line models can be specified with the same RWD setup or as AWD versions. The GT-Line RWD is capable of up to 361 miles on a single charge, while the GT-Line S RWD can travel up to 347 miles.
The AWD drivetrain in GT-Line and GT-Line S increases power to 325hp while torque increases to 605Nm. Range stands at 339 and 324 miles, respectively. GT-Line S models are also available with an optional heat pump, enhancing efficiency in colder conditions.
Standard equipment across all models includes automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, rear lights and rear fog lights, electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with LED indicators, rain-sensing front wipers and heated front seats and steering wheel.
Onboard technology includes a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the driver’s display and infotainment screen, the latter also delivering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connection with over-the-air updates, plus parking sensors and a reversing camera system and Drive Mode Select.
The latest EV6 also carries over the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, delivering 3.6kW of power, enough to run a large TV screen or a medium-sized air conditioner for 24 hours.
The entry-level Air version additionally comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome details, black cloth and artificial leather seat upholstery, and forward collision avoidance assist plus highway driving assist.
Next up is the EV6 GT-Line, priced from £48,575 for RWD and £52,075 for the AWD version. It delivers a more aggressive, sporty design and appearance that includes dual LED headlights with adaptive driving beam, high-gloss black styling, black artificial leather seats with white artificial leather bolsters, alloy pedals.
Equipment upgrades include wireless mobile phone charger along with safe exit warning and blind spot collision avoidance assist technology.
The launch line-up is crowned by the GT-Line S, priced from £53,675 RWD and £57,175 for the AWD variant. Uplifts include 20-inch alloy wheels, sunroof with tilting/sliding function, black artificial suede seats with white artificial leather bolsters, a premium sound system with 14 speakers, head-up display and extra driver assistance tech.
The arrival of the facelifted EV6 supports Kia’s latest ‘Plan S’ strategy, which will see the brand launch 15 EVs by 2027, nine of which are destined for the UK.
Customer deliveries of the new EV6 will start later this quarter. The new EV6 GT will follow in early 2025.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.
