Is the Kia EV6 a Good Electric Car? 5 Pros and 3 Cons

Kia is no newcomer to the world of electric vehicles, having been quietly selling an electric version of the Soul since the 2014 model year and the Niro EV since the 2019 model year. But with the launch of the all-new 2022 EV6, the carmaker has considerably upped its EV game.

Related: 2022 Kia EV6 Review: Doing It Better Than Most

The first Kia designed from the ground up to only be an EV, it’s a stylish and easy-to-live-with coupelike crossover featuring a modern, well-finished interior, a generous list of standard equipment and a healthy amount of technology. Available with rear- or all-wheel drive, different battery options and several trim levels, the EV6 offers plenty of choices and relatively affordable pricing. It’s also eligible for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits.

It also offers good driving dynamics, impressive efficiency and range, and more cargo room than some electric competitors (and even a Nissan Rogue compact SUV). A viable alternative to some more expensive electric vehicles, such as the Tesla Model Y, the EV6 has the ability for fast charging at Electrify America 350-kilowatt chargers, something not typically found in more affordable EVs.

But all is still not perfect, and we’d change a few things if we could. For Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek’s full take on the EV6, hit the link above. Below is the condensed version — here are five things we like about the 2022 Kia EV6 and three things we don’t:

Things We Like

1. Comfortable Ride

The EV6 strikes a nice balance between ride comfort and engaging handling, with a more absorbent ride than some other EVs and quick steering response. Its relatively short wheelbase can make for some choppiness on the highway, but it helps with a tighter turning circle for parking and maneuvering in close quarters.

2. Lively Acceleration

With two motors for a total of 320 horsepower, Kia claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds for an EV6 in tested GT-Line trim with AWD; that’s a smidge quicker than Kia’s Stinger sports sedan with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Eco mode helps with range but reduces acceleration times. (An EV6 GT will be launched later, with more power and faster acceleration.)

3. Quick Charging

When using a public 350-kW DC fast-charging station in ideal conditions, Kia says the EV6 can add 217 miles of range in as little as 18 minutes, going from 10% to 80% of battery capacity; that might not always be doable, however, depending on vehicle and ambient conditions. With a Level 2 home charger, an EV6 equipped with a long-range battery can go from empty to a full charge in as little as 7 hours, 10 minutes. With the smaller battery, the time drops to 5 hours, 50 minutes.

4. Instruments and Controls

The EV6 uses a relatively conventional digital instrument panel located in front of the driver, with clear graphics and all the important information a driver would want readily available. The GT-Line adds a head-up display that puts augmented reality navigation and other information in the driver’s sight. Physical controls include two rotary knobs that can be used for both audio and climate functions.

5. Generous Standard Equipment

Even in its most basic Light trim, the EV6 comes well-equipped with standard features, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, heated front seats with a two-position memory driver’s seat, wireless phone charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a host of driver safety aids including adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, lane keep assist, lane centering, and rear cross-traffic alert.

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Things We Don’t Like

1. Limited Headroom

Taller drivers should make it a point to try on an EV6 for size before placing an order because headroom may be an issue — at least with the upper trim. The top GT-Line includes a standard sliding moonroof which, while nice, reduces headroom by 2.2 inches. That left our 6-foot test driver’s head constantly rubbing against the ceiling and grab handle. Depending on your size and preferences, a lower trim sans moonroof might be a better bet.

2. Poor Visibility

One price for the EV6’s racy styling is that its sloping roofline severely restricts the view rear and over the shoulders, which can make for intimidating merges and maneuvering. The standard blind spot warning system helps along with available turn-signal-activated cameras to help see to the sides, but the moonroof, low roofline and limited glass area led some of our editors to complain of a claustrophobic feel in the cabin.

3. No Charging Equipment Included

Unlike most all-electrics, the EV6 does not come with any kind of cord or equipment for plugging into a home outlet. A Level 1 trickle charger is available for purchase from a dealer, but fully charging a drained battery by this method takes at least 51 hours with the smaller of the two available battery sizes. As is the case with most EVs, a home Level 2 charger is a better bet.

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