2022 Kia EV6 One-Ups Hyundai Ioniq 5 With 310-Mile Max EPA Range
With the anticipated arrival of the all-electric Kia EV6 and related Hyundai Ioniq 5 just around the corner, a classic tale of sibling rivalry unfolds. This battle isn’t about strength, smarts or power, but it does address a key consideration for electric vehicle shoppers: How far can each vehicle travel on a single charge? Now we know: The EPA has released its official range estimates for the EV6, which comes out ahead of the Ioniq 5 with a higher maximum range (310 miles compared to 303 miles, respectively) and higher range estimates across all comparable trims.
Related: Up Close With the 2022 Kia EV6: Coming Out Swinging
Hyundai and Kia are affiliated automakers. The EV6 has been EPA-rated between 232 and 310 miles of range, depending on the model, with trim levels comprising the EX, EX Plus, GT-Line and, eventually, the GT. With its base battery, which makes 58 kilowatt-hours, the EV6 EX is rated at 232 miles of range. An optional 77.4-kWh battery in the EV6 GT-Line and EX Plus moves that up to 310 miles if you get rear-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive models, which also have the 77.4-kWh battery, get 274 miles.
The EV6 will travel farther than the Ioniq 5 on a single charge in each comparable configuration. The Ioniq 5 standard-range models with RWD get 220 miles of range, which is approximately 5% less than the EV6 EX. The maximum range for the Ioniq 5 comes in the long-range version equipped with RWD, which is rated at 303 miles; that’s 2% less than the EV6’s maximum range of 310 miles. The EV6’s biggest lead over the Ioniq 5 is in the all-wheel drive category: The Ioniq 5 AWD is rated at 256 miles, or 7% less than the EV6.
Kia EV6 Estimated Range
- EV6 EX (RWD, 167 horsepower): 232 miles
- EV6 GT-Line and EX Plus (RWD, 225 hp): 310 miles
- EV6 (AWD, 320 hp): 274 miles
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Estimated Range
- Ioniq 5 Standard Range (RWD, 168 hp): 220 miles
- Ioniq 5 Long Range (RWD, 225 hp): 303 miles
- Ioniq 5 Long Range (AWD, 320 hp): 256 miles
The EV6 GT, which uses beefier dual motors to churn out 576 hp, won’t arrive until late in the 2022 calendar year. It also uses a 77.4-kWh battery, but EPA range remains pending.
The Other Contenders
Not only do the EV6 and Ioniq 5 compete against each other, but they will also go up against a quickly growing field of electric SUVs that includes the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4 and the popular Tesla Model Y. The pair’s maximum EPA-rated ranges are competitive against most rivals: The Mustang Mach-E tops out at 305 miles and the Volkswagen ID.4 is rated for up to 260 miles. The EV6 and Ioniq 5 both fall short of the Model Y’s Long Range variant, however, which gets a maximum of 326 miles in published EPA ratings.
The 2022 Kia EV6 may win the range race, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be the first to hit dealerships. The 2022 Ioniq 5 is expected to arrive this month with a starting price of $44,875 (including destination), then in the spring with a more affordable version priced under $41,000. The EV6 will arrive in early 2022; its pricing has yet to be announced.
More From Cars.com:
- Kia EV6: What We Know About Kia’s New All-Electric Crossover
- 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5: The Next Tesla Challenger Is Coming
- 2022 Kia EV6 Makes U.S. Debut With 576-HP GT Model
- Kia Debuts Tesla-Fighting EV6 Electric SUV With Up to Nearly 600 Horsepower
- Hyundai Reboots Ioniq Brand With All-New Electric SUV
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