We tested the Kia EV6, Car of the Year in Europe 2022

In fact, it has been the first Korean to win this award, endorsed by the second position of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, conceived on the same basis, with very similar electrical ingredients, but with a different bodywork, an even more spacious interior and less dynamics. tuned.

And that the EV6 is forceful, with 4.70 meters long and a weight that exceeds two tons with the driver on board.

This feels 'embraced' by the steering wheel, dashboard and console, which distinguishes it from other electric ones where it takes advantage of the fact that there are fewer organs to make a diaphanous and minimalist position.

In this we find a complete and modern instrumentation, like that of a state-of-the-art combustion car: it is made up of two large 12.3-inch screens.

They have good resolution and easy handling, also many menus.

As is the norm in battery-powered models, the (high) connectivity does not end when you leave the car.

We can send you different orders and information from your mobile.

Spacious and very digital passenger compartment

According to versions, there is also a 'head up display' with augmented reality and connected with different assistants.

Among them, the blind spot that, in the most equipped EV6, shows images from an exterior camera on the instrument panel.

We loved it, which we cannot say about the row of buttons under the central screen: it allows you to switch between the air conditioning and the browser or the radio, but forces you to be distracted to go from one mode to another.

Better to leave it in the first.

The passenger compartment has a solid finish, although it stands out more for space in all seats.

Only a couple of drawbacks: the low height that has been given to the rear bench in order to win it for the head of the occupants and how difficult it is to get your feet under the front seats.

The back of these, allows to hang garments such as a suit jacket.

The trunk has 490 liters in the hollow of all life (and irregular shapes) plus 50 liters under the front hood in the case of rear-wheel drive versions, as was tested.

The most balanced variant

Specifically, the 229 hp with the largest battery (77.4 kWh) and GT Line finish.

It is, as long as we can afford it (it costs 53,500 euros), the most recommended and the one with the greatest official autonomy: 504 km.

Below, we find the 170 hp EV6 with a 58 kWh battery and above, the 325 hp, all-wheel drive and large battery.

At the end of the year, the 585 hp GT will arrive.

The benefits of this one are brutal, but we are already very well served with the EV6 that we tested.

The program of the four available in which we go does not matter.

The driving is always smooth, but it's just slam on the throttle and shoot off: 80 to 120 km/h takes less than five seconds, making overtaking a breeze.

Autonomy of about 370 km

Obviously, if we abuse it or high cruises (and that can be between 120 and 140 km/h), the real autonomy 'flees' from the promised one.

And without us doing it: it happens as with combustion cars, the approved figures are obtained in ideal environments.

Think more about an average consumption of about 21 kWh per 100 kilometers, although in urban driving and taking full advantage of regeneration (there are six intensities, including a one-pedal mode) consumption of about 16 kWh can be achieved.

Summarizing: take as real autonomy 370 km.

Although do not be scared by it on the road.

Thanks to the 800-volt technology (the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Porsche and Audi also have it) it is possible to recover 100 km in five minutes.

Or go from 10% to 80% charge in 20 minutes... as long as we find poles that 'chute' electricity at 240 kW.

Today, few and expensive (like gasoline, we would say).

In the future, they will be more common.

excellent behavior

This functionality means that we do not have to go like turtles on the road, as seen with many electric cars.

In this, moreover, it would be a sacrilege because of how much it has, the feel of the direction and the braking capacity.

Although, beware, it does so at the cost of a very dry suspension at low speed.

In general, from the basic version that starts at 45,000 euros, the Kia EV6 is well endowed.

However, there are several assistants and gadgets that have to be paid for separately in almost all cases.

The help of the Moves III, which can be ordered in two models of the range, compensates part of that extra price.

By the way, the EV6 is prepared to share the electricity of its battery to give it to a TV, a refrigerator, a computer... or another car.

There are two outlets for this, one of 3.7 kW on the rear bench.

DATA SHEET

PRICE:

53,425 euros.

GT-Line 229 hp 77 kWh RWD.

Length/width/height/wheelbase: 4.69/1.89/1.55/2.90 meters.

Trunk: (490+52) l.

.

Electric motor.

229 hp.

Automatic change of a gear.

rear wheel drive

Battery.

77.4 kWh.

Recharging speed: up to 240 kW in direct current.

Nine airbags, ESP.

From 0 to 100 km/h: 7.3 seconds.

Recovery from 80 to 120 km/h in D: 4.8 seconds.

Average consumption: 21 kWh/100 km.

Autonomy: 370 km.

CO2: 0

Conforms to The Trust Project criteria

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