The 2023 Kia EV6 has captivated the electric car community with its remarkable performance and an array of standout features. In a highly competitive market flooded with electric SUVs, the EV6 manages to shine brightly, offering a well-rounded driving experience that justifies its relatively higher price tag of US$48,700. Let’s delve into the four key features that truly set the Kia EV6 apart from its rivals.
Onboard Power Generator: Harnessing Power for On-the-Go Convenience
One of the often overlooked advantages of a high-output battery in an electric vehicle is the ability to utilize that power for various devices while on the move. Kia has integrated this capability into the EV6, calling it the Onboard Power Generator.
With a remarkable 3.6 kW load capacity, this feature enables users to power everything from high-performance gaming computers to essential camping equipment or power tools. While vehicle-to-load functionality is not uncommon in EVs, it becomes a valuable addition in a spacious SUV like the EV6, making it an ideal choice for family road trips.
Blazing-Fast Performance Across All Trims, Even Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
The EV6’s performance is nothing short of impressive, even in its base model. The Wind RWD variant boasts a substantial 225 hp motor, while the AWD Wind trim escalates things further to 320 hp. However, the EV6 truly comes into its own with the top-of-the-line AWD GT model, boasting a staggering 576 hp. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.2 seconds, the GT’s lightning-fast speed was once exclusive to supercars.
Even the base model Wind accelerates to 60 mph in approximately 6.5 seconds, as per MotorTrend tests. The EV6’s range varies across trims, with the GT e-AWD offering 206 miles of EPA range, while the GT-Line delivers 252 miles. The Wind (e-AWD) impresses with a range of 282 miles, and the rear-wheel-drive models provide an even more substantial 310 miles on a single charge.
Infotainment System: A Step Forward, but Not Without Flaws
Simplified infotainment and control systems have become a prevalent and potentially hazardous trend in the EV market. The EV6 successfully avoids falling into this pitfall, albeit not entirely. Beneath the large central infotainment screen, Kia incorporates an array of capacitive touch buttons with tactile response, avoiding the complete reliance on a touchscreen interface.
While this arrangement offers the advantage of knowing the button locations without visual confirmation, Kia stumbles by using the same set of buttons for both the stereo and AC controls. Although it presents a clean aesthetic, it still requires drivers to divert their attention from the road to ensure they adjust the music volume rather than the temperature. Nonetheless, this approach still surpasses the inconvenience of having all functions on-screen.
Striking Aesthetics: Defying Convention in the Compact SUV Category
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, but it is challenging to deny the captivating design of the EV6, especially considering its classification as a compact SUV. When compared to its slower and more affordable counterparts like the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Kia Niro EV, the EV6 appears to have emerged from a different era.
Its muscular and dynamic exterior not only exudes a bold presence but also effectively communicates its impressive performance. This departure from the typical “geeky” aesthetics seen in models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 sets the EV6 apart as a visually appealing choice for discerning drivers.
