Kia adds EV6 compact crossover as its first all-electric vehicle line

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Kia’s EV6 compact crossover arrived last year as the South Korean automaker’s first all-electric model line, and returned for 2023 with a new variant – the sportscar-like GT performance model, with a whopping 576 horsepower.

For 2023, this compact five-passenger SUV has an expanded battery range of up to 310 miles between charges, according to EPA estimates.

The EV6 comes in five trim levels, starting with the Wind RWD (rear-wheel drive) model, with a base price of $48,700 (plus $1,325 freight). This is the version we tested for this report.

It’s also available with all-wheel drive, as the Wind AWD ($52,600), which uses separate electric motors for the front and rear pairs of wheels.

Also in the lineup are the GT-Line RWD ($52,900); GT-Line AWD ($57,600); and the top-of-the-line GT AWD performance model ($61,600).

Kia says the GT performance model can accelerate from zero-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 161 mph.

Our Wind rear-drive model came with a 77.4 kWh battery and a 168kW rear motor, rated at 225 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque, and the 310 miles of estimated range.

AWD versions (except GT) get the same 77.4 kWh battery, but with a 74kW front motor and a 165kW rear motor, producing a total of 320 horsepower and a range of 274-miles.

On our Wind RWD, zero-60 mph time is listed as 7.2 seconds, and top speed as 115 mph. That drops to 5.1 seconds on the regular AWD models, thanks to the extra motor up front, but top speed increases to 117 mph

The GT performance models come with the 77.4 kWh battery, and a 160kW front motor and a 270kW rear motor, for a combined 576 horsepower and the zero-to-60 mph performance in less than 3.5 seconds

As a pure electric, the EV6 has no gasoline engine, so it must be recharged externally. There is an onboard 11kW charger (Level 2) that can top off the battery from 10% charge in 7 hours, 10 minutes, using a 240-volt power source at 40 amps.

DC fast charging (800 volts from a 350kW source) at a commercial charging station can add 70 miles of driving range in less than five minutes, and can raise the battery level from 10% to 80% in under 18 minutes. The car also supports DC fast charging at 400 volts.

The lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor, and weighs 1,052 pounds.

Kia says that “in November of 2021, the EV6 captured a Guinness World Record, traveling 2,880.5 miles with the shortest charging time to cross the United States in an electric vehicle.

“During the seven-day trek from New York City to Los Angeles, the Kia EV6 was plugged in for only 7 hours, 10 minutes and 1 second, beating the previous record holder, Tesla, by more than five-and-a-half hours (12 hours, 48 minutes, and 19 seconds).

The EV6 has a sleek body style that makes it look almost like a fastback car rather than an SUV, and the door handles are flush-mounted. EPA puts it in the class of “small station wagons.”

But its 114.2-inch wheelbase is the same as that of the three-row, midsize Kia Telluride SUV.

The EV6 Wind model is 184.3 inches long, while the GT versions are 184.8 inches. There is 102 cubic feet of passenger room, and a flat floor that makes for optimum leg and foot room, along with helping provide 24.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row. That expands to 50.2 cubic feet with the second-row seatbacks folded down.

There is room for three people in the rear seat, but that drops to seating for just two with the center console pulled down from the middle of the seatback. With three people, it’s a tight fit unless someone is kid-size.

Up front are comfortable bucket seats with power adjustment on both sides, and a memory function for the driver’s side.

There are dual panoramic 12.3-inch front displays, and navigation is included. A Meridian premium audio system was standard, and included satellite radio and the Kia Connect infotainment system.

Other interior amenities included a smart key with pushbutton and remote start, “vegan” leather seating surfaces, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, rear occupant alert, and a wireless phone charger.

The interior makes use of animal-free textiles, from the seating surfaces to other elements throughout the cabin, and the headliner is made of recycled wallpaper, Kia says.

Outside, our car was the Glacier (white) color, which was $495 extra. We had 19-inch alloy wheels with black finish, smart power rear liftgate, LED headlights with automatic light control, power/folding mirrors with turn signals, rear privacy glass, rear spoiler, and a pre-wired towing package.

Kia Drive Wise driver-assist technology was included, with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist; Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear; Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist; Lane Keeping and Following Assist; Parking Distance Warning (forward and reverse), Highway Driving Assist, Safe Exit Warning, and navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go feature.

Our car had the Wind Technology Package ($1,500), which brought the Around View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.

The Blind-Spot Review Monitor includes camera views in the dash to the left and the right, which come on when the turn signal is activated for either a left or right turn. It gives a complete view of the adjacent lane.

Other extras on the tester included a cargo mat with luggage board ($95) and carpeted floor mats ($175).

EPA has rated the EV6 for 134 city/101 highway/117 combined mpg/e (miles per gallon/equivalent), using 29 kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 miles.

Driving the EV6 is fun, especially because of the instant torque provided by the electric motor at startup. Few other vehicles can match it for acceleration off the line.

The ride was smooth, and the front bucket seats were comfortable, at least for our limited around-town trips.

Total sticker price for our 2023 Kia EV6 Wind RWD was $52,290, including freight and options.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner Emma Jayne Williams contributed to this report.

The package: Compact, five-door, five-passenger, electric-powered, rear-wheel-drive, crossover utility vehicle.

Highlights: Kia introduced the EV6 for 2022 as the brand’s first line of all-electric models. It’s battery-powered only, and has a range of up to 310 miles on a single charge.

Negatives: Longer trips can be a challenge with battery range.

Power: 168-kilowatt electric motor.

Transmission: Gear-reduction unit.

Power/torque: 225 HP./258 foot-pounds.

Length: 188.3 inches.

Curb weight: 4,255 pounds.

Towing capacity: 2,300 pounds (with trailer brake).

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Cargo volume: 24.4 cubic feet (behind rear seat); 50.4 cubic feet (rear seatback folded).

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; roof-mounted side-curtain for both rows.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Fuel capacity/type: 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

EPA fuel economy (mpg-equivalent): 134 city/101 highway/117 combined.

Base price: $48,700, plus $1,325 freight (before any federal or state tax rebates/credits, if available).

Price as tested: $52,290, including freight and options (2023 EV6 Wind RWD).

On the Road rating: 8.4 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.