Recently, we spent some time driving the all-new electric 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line in sub-zero conditions. We collected real-world impressions that prove helpful for prospective shoppers considering this model for their following EV.
Key among these impressions:
Kia calls the EV6 an SUV; however, the dimensions are almost wagon-like. There is a low and coupe-like roofline for a slick silhouette. With a wheelbase as long as the Kia Telluride, the EV6 is a long machine giving short impends. Its wheels are stretched to the edges.
The heaviest component of the EV6 is its battery that lives on its floor. It translates to enhanced interior space, handling balance and comfort. The GT-Line’s classy sport enhanced visuals and appearance work with the EV6’s energetic design for an impressive look that is athletic and car-like. It has a refreshing new face in the crossover lineup. The drivers take it in from a cabin that looks good, but it does leave some desired improvements.
On the benefits side, the EV6’s interior is different and unique. It is nicely finished and detailed. It offers a layout with minimized control surfaces and a clean and minimal at-a-glance look. It has fewer buttons and control, which provides enough space for the dashboard styling to shine.
More space for patterns, materials, colors, and textures to mingle and flow provides a stack and layered look. It gives the driver something rewarding to look at around the entire forward cabin.
You cannot miss the giant instrument and infotainment display. The EV6 uses wide-screen digital devices with good graphics flow inside the central infotainment display. It looks less minimal and more high-end. The added presence of the high-quality display surfaces ahead of the driver. It substantially adds to the look and richness of the cabin.
Under the central infotainment touch screen is the EV6’s central control surface. Drivers click a button in the two-in-one deal to adjust the climate controls and click again to change the stereo controls. The backlit buttons and dials vary the context depending on the selected mode. It allows one control surface to control two separate systems. It is a neat technology touch that most tech-savvy drivers likely appreciate. However, the added step of toggling the menu context might not be a hit among all drivers. It is just a touch that is more complicated than necessary.
Some complications also come from the controls for the heated and cooled seats and heated steering wheel. All these live on the forward edge of the floating center console. It will provide drivers with an almost inevitable knock every time they work on the slightly odd two-way control surface just ahead of them.
Interior and Plug-ins
Plugging into a USB port is also more complicated than it needs to be. Although plug-in or charging ports are abundant, they are located near the vehicle’s floor, requiring an excellent reach down to connect the gear.
Thankfully, a smooth wireless charging pad on the center console near the armrest. It provides an extra storage bin beneath the floating center console designed to give the EV6’s interior a convincing unique look. Ultimately, the cabin of the EV6 is not lacking any interesting touches or nice stuff while looking at the interior. However, some critical controls and functions are somewhat difficult to use.
Engine and Performance
Fortunately, there is nothing complex about getting the EV6 GT-line to make you smile on a snowy backroad.
The EV6 has good winter rubber that generates around 320 horsepower to the ground with the all-wheel drive. The on-demand clasp of 446 lb-ft of torque is never more than a few millimeters of accelerator input from a striking distance.
If you have never driven a sporty EV in the snow, then the GT-line is enough to make a positive difference with its on-demand torque and throttle response level. It can surely go into the hands of an enthusiast driver. You can forget the shifting down, spooling up, and then wait for the engine to hit its power curve. Also, bid goodbye to thinking a step ahead of the car to compensate for the lag between throttle input and increase in the forward thrust. The only things that matters for an EV motor and the road are its wheels.
Exterior and Modes
You can pick SPORT mode from the button on the steering wheel. The first thing one notices is the throttle response. The EV6 gets involuted with the tiniest press on the pedal. If you press harder, the power output swells up immediately with direct relation to your throttle position. A deep push on the throttle will send snow into the air and torsos into seatbacks with startling immediacy.
EV6 promises to deliver it with the on-demand torque and dialed-in AWD system for someone who loves shifting and soundtracks.
Shoppers need not forget that the cost to drive 100 kilometers is around two bucks if they charge at home off of peak hours.
Each axle of the EV6 GT-line is powered by its electric motor. There are no AWD system differentials, hardware, transfer case, and any standard bits used in combustion-powered AWD setup. Some parts, constraints, and processes maximize friction against a mechanical system. Utilizing two independent motors to deliver all-wheel drive needs in-depth testing and calibration to get the feel and performance right. That’s where the EV6 gets most on the ball.
There is no drama, fuss, and wasteful wheelspin detectable from inside the cabin. The programming is not hardware, and clutch packs control the delivery across and between the axles. There is no drive-line-related twisting or slipping beneath you when power is shuffled. The result from the driver’s seat is an impressive surge of grip and strength that swells and builds the more rigid you accelerate.
In addition to quick steering, EV6 offers fairly lenient stability control and laser-precise throttle response. The feeling one gets is on par and smoother, quieter, much more responsive. EV6 provides a soft and comfortable highway drive with sporty tightness in the ride.
Ride Quality
Kia’s ride quality works best on the highway. The EV6’s long wheelbase makes for a stable and comfy ride over more smooth undulating surfaces. However, the rough and broken pavements, craters and potholes still punch noise and harshness. It makes the pothole season a less pleasant experience. Often, drivers think the sporty ride is soft and more comfortable than the looks lead on, but ride comfort and noise levels are sometimes high at the mercy of the surface they are driving.
Battery Quality
Late winter temperatures or hot summer mean many backroads for a spirited drive, but it also means less driving per charge and slower charging.
The battery in the long-range tester is impressive at about 440 kilometers of driving in an ideal condition at room temperature.
Between 0 and -5 degrees Celsius, it ranges from 300 to 315 kilometers to a full charge. Level 1 charging using the 120-volt outlet that powers the pressure washer usually refills an EV like the EV6 at a rate of around 3 to 4 kilometers per hour.
At sub-zero temperatures, we saw about 1 kilometer per hour instead. The level 1 charging is slow in the cold, but it should be faster if the drivers can charge in a heated garage overnight.
On the Level 2 charger, one expects about 40 kilometers per hour of charging at room temperature. It is ten times faster than Level 1. It can drop to around 30 kilometers of recharging per hour at below ten. It is sufficient for an overnight recharge, and level 2 charging makes it easier to ensure drivers have always got a topped-off battery when needed, even in the cold.
Level 3 fast-charging usually takes about 10 minutes to add 100 kilometers. In perfect conditions, when plugged into the correct Level 3 charger, Kia says that the EV6 can go from a 20% to an 80% charge in less than 20 minutes. It is perfect for fast charging while the car is parked for a road trip lunch break.
Other notables
The after drive inspires confidence with a powerful lighting system. The EV6’s long wheelbase provides impressive rear-seat legroom; the headroom proves tight for taller occupants. In a comfortable driving position, headroom is sufficient but not much generous. Drivers/passengers can sit behind in the backseat with heaps of legroom to spare.
Increasing numbers of citizens currently run a gasoline truck or SUV for towing, camping.
Pricing
Two models of the 2022 EV6 will go on sale in the U.S.
The 58 kWh ‘Light’ model starts at $40,900, and the ‘Wind’ 77.4 kWh model comes with a $47,000 starting price. It means the higher battery level is a $6,100 expense.
The Light trim is rear-wheel drive, while the Wind trim level can be upgraded to a dual-motor all-wheel drive train that costs $3,900.
The sportier GT-Line model is available for $51,200.
Like the Wind Trim, it only gets rear-wheel drive. Upgrading to all-wheel drive costs about $4,700 more.
Make a Test Drive
If you want your next primary or secondary car to be an EV and are looking for an EV6, take a test drive at our Westside Kia dealership in Katy, Texas. If you want more information on Kia’s upgraded EVs, take suggestions from our helpful staff. We are here to give you some serious attention.
Westside Kia Dealership in Houston 