2023 Kia EV6 Wind Long Range RWD: The Brand’s Sporty Compact EV Hatchback

 

Highlight: The EV6 provides a mechanism which allows the driver to charge up everything from electric household items to an electric bike.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $52,290 (Base Model: $50,025)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a forward collision braking system; a blind spot collision avoidance assistance; a rear cross traffic collision avoidance assistance; a lane keep assist system; a lane forward assist system; a parking distance warning system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a hill start assist and a tire mobility kit

Standard Equipment (Wind): 232-mile range; 19-inch wheels; a single electric motor; a rear wheel drive configuration; a DC fast charging port; a navigation system; a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system; a radar activated cruise control system; a push button ignition system; a wireless phone charger; vegan leather seats; heated and ventilated front seats; power front seats with driver’s memory setting; a dual zone automatic climate control system; a power folding heated outside mirrors with turn signals; and a dual zone automatic climate control system

Options: exterior paint; a 360-degree camera; a blind spot view monitor; remote smart parking assist; parking collision avoidance assistance; cargo mat with luggage board; and carpet floor mat

Other Trim Levels:

GT-Line

GT

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 4-speaker Merdian premium audio system with and AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM radio

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: No wireless connectivity

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

Electric Battery Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles

Standard Horsepower: electric/225-hp

Towing Capacity: 2,300 lbs

Electric Vehicle Driving Range: 310 miles (Long Range)

Standard EV Mileage : 232 miles

What’s New: A powerful GT is added to the portfolio for the 2023 model year. 

Why:

All-electric

A longer driving range on select trims

A stylish futuristic design

A firmer suspension

Flush exterior door handles

Rear wheel drive

All wheel drive available

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

Quick and peppy

A heads up display (HUD)

Easy to use digital cluster and infotainment center

A power operated electronic charging door

19-inch or 20-inch wheels

Comfortable seats

Roomy interior

Nearly flat floor adds to spacious interior

Second row sliding /partial reclining rear seat

A number of high-tech safety driving aids

Heated steering wheel available

Heated/ventilated front seats

Power front seat w/memory driver’s feature

Oversized fixed panoramic roof

A premium audio system

Great visibility

Second row outlets available for charging laptops, smartphones and other devices

A remote parking assist system

An 800v DC charger capability, one of a handful of evs offering this option

Eligible for the $7,500 lease credit to reduce the over cost of the vehicle and lower the monthly payment

An affordable hatchback crossover

A 576-hp GT engine is available

But:

No power operated panoramic roof

Hatch back design could impede rear vision

Leather seats not available

Offers a firmer ride than its siblings from Hyundai and Genesis

No wireless connectivity for Apple and Android

Needs a lower price base trim

Verdict: The brand’s compact Kia EV6 all-electric returns for the second year, adding a power punching GT trim. The GT trim in this stylish futuristic design seats five and is capable of spewing over 576-horsepower.

The starting price of this year’s base model, which is the Wind, starts out the gate at $50,000. Last year, when the EV6 was introduced, it had a starting price under $43,000. Kia needs to bring the base trim back to its portfolio. The EV6, which is available in both a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration with either a standard or long range driving range, offers a 226 miles of range.

To help bring down the price, the EV6 is eligible for a $7,500 lease credit, helping to lower the overall negotiated purchase price, while also dropping one’s monthly lease payment.

And depending upon the trim selected, one can expect, at minimum, horsepower of 225 miles. Optional features on the sporty looking hatchback EV can range from heated rear seats to a co-pilot assist steering system.

Competition: Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5