I’ll be the first to admit, if I were considering a new car purchase, Kia wouldn’t initially come to mind. However, after the thrilling experience of driving the all-electric Kia EV6, my perspective has dramatically shifted.
The Kia EV6 has surged in my rankings with the speed of Usain Bolt crossing the finish line at the Olympics. It’s a delight to drive—spacious, comfortable, and brimming with technology. Pound for pound you’ll be hard-pressed to find another vehicle in the class that can match the sheer awesomeness of the Kia EV6. My partner even exclaimed upon sitting inside, “I feel like I’m in the Batmobile!”
The Exterior
Visually, the Kia EV6 stands in a league of its own. It strikes a nice balance between head-turning and refinement. At first glance from the front, it presents as a mid-sized hatchback; however, a view from the side reveals its full-sized SUV dimensions, larger than one might initially expect.
I tested the striking Kia EV6 Horizon, which finds itself well-placed between the entry-level ‘Air’ model and the sportier ‘GT-Line.’ Available in three unique colours—Midnight Black, Interstellar Grey, or the new Gravity Blue—the Horizon model boasts 19-inch alloy wheels and automatic body-coloured flush exterior door handles that might take a moment to get accustomed to but soon feel intuitive.
The front lights and curvaceous bonnet, paired with a minimalistic grille, give the Kia EV6 a distinctive appearance. I particularly loved the additional luggage compartment under the hood.
The Interior
Step inside the Kia EV6 Horizon and you are greeted with a comprehensive set of standard equipment like two 12.3-inch curved display screens, driver’s power adjustable memory seat, wireless mobile phone charger, high gloss black door trim, reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines, and rear parking sensors, Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™ smartphone compatibility as standard. You have the choice of black artificial leather or black suede with white leather upholstery. The list is extensive; you’ll have to visit Kia’s website for the full spec—it’s very impressive.
Not only is the Kia EV6 Horizon fully loaded with tech, it’s also very spacious on the inside which makes it one of my favourite cars right now. It boasts a large boot space, perfect for everything from daily errands to road trips, and features an automatic opening boot door for ease of use. The cabin feels solid and sturdy, with soft-touch elements and creature comforts such as a heated steering wheel and heated seats, with enough USB ports to keep a small family charged for the duration of any journey.
The Drive
Driving the Kia EV6 Horizon is where the magic truly happens. The ride is smooth and remarkably quick, with a sports mode button conveniently located on the steering wheel—a feature I wish more cars had.
The brakes and handling inspire total confidence, ensuring safety as you feel the surge of power when accelerating. For longer trips, you’ll appreciate the adaptive cruise control, which handles the bulk of the driving, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey.
This car is flawless in its balance of power, comfort, speed, and cruising capability. The Kia EV6 comes equipped with a 225bhp rear-wheel drive powertrain and a long-range 77.4kWh battery, capable of up to 328 miles on a single charge. The ‘Horizon’ model also features ultra-rapid 800V charging capability, allowing for a recharge from 10-80% in just 18 minutes at a 350kW charger.
And with an on-the-road price of £45,995, the Kia EV6 is as attainable as it is desirable.
For more details, visit kia.com/uk