2022 Kia EV6 Windfall AWD: The Brand’s All-New Fully Electric Hatchback-Like Crossover

 

Highlight: The EV6 provides a mechanism to power (charge up) items such as electric bikes, TVs and a number of household appliances. This feature is knowns as a vehicle-to-load.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $54,500 (Base: $42,195)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; rear view mirror; tire mobility kit; hill start assist; stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a blind spot warning system; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a high beam assist system; a radar activated cruise control with stop and go system; a co-pilot assist system; and a rear traffic cross assist system

Standard Equipment (Base): 19-inch wheels; standard range; rear spoiler; manual aero flush outside door handle; a manual operated liftgate; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; an 12-inch digital instrument cluster; hidden storage tray in cargo arear; cloth and pseudo leather; power driver’s seat with 2-position memory seat; heated front seats; second row reclining seats; automatic temperature control ventilation system; in- vehicle Wi-Fi; wireless phone charger; push button ignition system; a keyless entry system; an automatic hold brake feature; a manual operated rearview mirror; and a navigation system

Standard Equipment (Windfall): 19-inch wheels; 320-hp; longer range; all-wheel drive; gloss black lower fascia; radar-activated power rear liftgate; charging external ports; pseudo leather seats; ventilated front seats; second row external charging outlets underneath seat; a 14 speaker Meridian audio system; and parking distance warning – front and rear

Options: remote smart parking assist; 360-degree surround view monitor; blind view monitor; and automatic rearview mirror

Other Trim Levels:

GT

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 4-speaker AM/FM/HD

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Electric Vehicle System Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Horsepower (Base Model): 167-hp

Standard Fuel Mileage: 31-city/41-hwy (base model)

What’s New:  The brand’s roomy compact crossover is a BEV (battery electric vehicle).

Pros:

Sporty styling

All-electric

A roomy compact

Rear wheel drive

All-wheel drive available

An economical alternative to fuel vehicles

Hands no longer smells like gasoline, after charging up

A variety of driving ranges, ranging from 225 to 300 miles

A range of driving motors and driving modes

An automatic dual temperature control system with a mode for driver only to reduce wasting energy, while maximizing driving range

Quick and peppy.. up to 320-hp

Flushed exterior door handles

Easy to use digital cluster and infotainment center

12-inch digital instrument cluster

A power operated electronic charging door

19-inch; 20-inch wheels and 21-inch wheels

Comfortable seats

Heated rear seats available on select trims

Roomy interior

Nearly flat floor adds to the spaciousness of the vehicle

Partial reclining rear seating area

A number of high-tech driving safety aids

Heated steering wheel available

Heated/ventilated front seats

Vegan leather seats available

Power front seats w/memory driver’s feature

An optional sunroof, depending on trim

A premium audio system

Optional power sunroof on upgraded trim only

One of the most affordable and stylish EVs on the market

Second row outlet for charging available on laptops, smartphones and other devices

Door locks automatically unlocks, upon approach

A remote parking assist system

An 800v DC charger capability, one of the few all electric vehicles offering this option…

Additional storage in frunk (formerly known as the hood)

1,000 kWh of free charging via Electrify America, when purchased new

But: 

No longer eligible for the $7,500 tax credit

The price of our test model

A firmer ride than its sibling, the Hyundai Ioniq5

Automatic open flush door handles should be standard on all trims

Rear visibility limited

Didn't come equipped with charging cables

 

Verdict:  The Kia EV6 is one of the standouts in the EV lane. Not only is it stylish, the room, compact car is relatively affordable, fun-to-drive and offers a respectable driving range. Unlike the Tesla, Kia's design team was able to find the balance with the fresh futuristic style that's appealing.

The EV6, which made its debut this year, is available in a variety of trims. The electrified vehicle is available in a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration. Kia’s electrified hatchback has a starting price under $42,000. Depending on the trim, the vehicle can be outfitted with such accessories ranging from 21-inch wheels to a power sunroof to a heated rear seats to a co-pilot assist system.

In fact, this is the first fully electric vehicle we took on a 300-mile plus road trip. With the easy-to-read 12-inch digital instrument cluster, the radar activated stop-and-go cruise control system and the co-pilot assist steering system, the EV6, which pushed out 320-horsepower, literally drove itself on the expressway. And being that there was a level 2 charging outlet next to our final destination, we literally paid $0 to charge up. Yes, the EV6, with it firm ride, embodies everything we expect in a fully electric vehicle. The future has finally arrived, despite the future lacking at home charging cables.

Competition: 2023 Indi EV; Ford Mustang Mach-E; Hyundai Ioniq5; and Volkswagen ID.4