Kia EV6 Review 2026: Prices, specs & verdict

What is the Kia EV6?

Kia now offers several electric cars with ‘EV’ in the name – from the compact new EV2 to the properly enormous EV9. But it was this, the Kia EV6, that started it all.

The EV6 came along in 2021, at a time when quite a few rival brands were hastily adapting petrol and diesel cars to become EVs. Kia’s new entrant was a bespoke, ground-up electric car, and really shouted about it with its striking design.

It’s closely related to the retro-futuristic Hyundai IONIQ 5 and quirky Genesis GV60 under the skin, but Kia’s version is supposed to be the sportiest to drive. All three brands also moved the game on when it came to charging speeds, bringing clever 800-volt tech to relatively affordable EVs.

Still, things move quickly in the electric car space, and the EV6 is half a decade old now. In 2025 it received a series of mid-life updates to help keep it competitive in the face of cars like the new Ford Capri.

Is the Kia EV6 still a worthy buy, or falling behind the best electric cars? Our in-depth review considers every key area and gives our unbiased expert verdict.

Verdict: is the Kia EV6 a good car?

We reckon the Kia EV6 is wearing its advancing years well. It’s still stylish, with a modern and spacious interior and plenty of standard tech. It also offers a composed drive with good performance and well-sorted controls. The only downsides are a ride that remains firmer than several alternatives, so-so-visibility and a boot that doesn’t top the class in size.

Pricing, specs & rivals

Prices for the Kia EV6 start at £45,570 for the entry-level Air model in single motor form. That’s roughly the same price as a Tesla Model Y in Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive form and slightly cheaper than a Skoda Enyaq Coupe, although a Hyundai IONIQ 5 can be had for quite a bit less with a smaller battery.

Air trim is decently well equipped, including 19in alloys, LED headlights, part faux leather trim, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, electric lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control.

Upgrading to the EV6 GT-Line bumps the price up to £48,570, while also bringing the option of a more powerful dual motor model for £52,070. That dual-motor EV6 is liable for the ‘Expensive Car Supplement’ addition to car tax (VED) from the second year onwards due to its list price exceeding £50k.

GT-Line does add some useful kit, though, including upgraded exterior styling, privacy glass, adaptive beam LED headlights, two tone faux leather seats, electric adjustment for the front seats and a ‘relaxation’ mode, adjustable ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger and blind spot monitoring

GT-Line S trim tops the standard range with a starting price of £53,670 or £57,170 in dual motor form. It’s fully loaded with 20in alloys, a sunroof, part suede upholstery, outer rear heated seats and ventilated front seats, electric steering wheel adjustment, a power tailgate, a three-pin plug socket, a Meridian sound system, a head-up display, remote parking and fingerprint recognition.

There’s also the super-fast GT model, which is priced from £59,970 – a reasonable increase from GT-Line S given the extensive performance upgrades.

Rivals

The Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Genesis GV60 are all closely related underneath, so choosing between them depends on pricing, spec and your view on the styling.

Other key EV6 alternatives include the Skoda Enyaq Coupe, Volkswagen ID.5, Cupra Tavascan, Ford Capri, Peugeot e-3008, Renault Scenic E-Tech, Nissan Ariya and Toyota bZ4X. Also consider premium brand models like the Mercedes-Benz GLB and Audi Q4 e-tron.

Interior comfort, quality & technology

Some light updates for the latest EV6’s interior include a new steering wheel design and some additional material choices, but fundamentally the design hasn’t changed much.

Arguably it didn’t need to, though, as it’s still an airy and modern layout. We also like that Kia has retained a good number of physical buttons for key functions and the touch sensitive panel below the air vents. This operates the climate control, but at the push of a button converts to become shortcut functions for the touchscreen.

Quality-wise, the EV6 is noticeably less plush inside than the more expensive Genesis GV60, but it’s about on a par with the Ford Capri and Renault Scenic E-Tech. There’s enough soft touch finishes and high-quality plastics to prevent it feeling cheap, but the faux leather isn’t as nice as the real thing found on some alternatives.

Getting comfortable as a driver is easy thanks to the supportive seat, loads of leg space and a wide range of adjustment, with electric adjustment on mid-spec trims and above. You don’t quite have a fully raised SUV driving position, but you do sit higher than in saloons like the BMW i4.

Visibility is good thanks to that slightly raised driving position, although thick pillars and relatively narrow windows make the rear view a bit restricted. Similarly, we think it’s silly to not have a rear wiper when the screen is easily covered in grime in the winter. At least there are plenty of parking aids as standard.

Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity

Every version of the Kia EV6 gets a pair of 12.3in screens blended into a single bezel on top of the dashboard. The left one is of course a touchscreen, with the right one handling driver information.

Although the infotainment is bright, clear and relatively easy to use, it doesn’t have the flashiest graphics nor the fastest response times. The menus are chock full of functions, too, but most of the everyday features are easy to find and operate.

There’s also a pair of customisable shortcut keys to take you to specific menus with one hit, such as the driver assistance menu. Meanwhile the digital dials blend clarity with lots of information and an option to display the map within the dials. The head-up display of GT-Line S trim is good, too.  

When it comes to connectivity, every EV6 has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a pair of USB-C ports in the front and another pair mounted in the sides of the seatbacks for those in the rear. A wireless phone charging pad is installed in the centre console on the two GT-Line trims.

The standard six-speaker audio system is perfectly acceptable in terms of sound quality and volume. GT-Line S trim upgrades to a fancy Meridian sound system, bringing 14 speakers and Active Sound Design.

How practical is the Kia EV6?

With dimensions of 4,695mm in length, 1,890mm in width and 1,550mm in height, the Kia EV6 is a bit longer, wider and lower than a Skoda Enyaq Coupe or Nissan Ariya. In fact, its roofline is among the lowest of any electric SUV, aiding its sleek shape.

If you’re worried that translates to a cramped interior, don’t. There’s loads of space in the EV6, with those in the front benefitting from loads of legroom, wide footwells and a broad interior meaning no fighting over the centre armrest.

Only those over about 6ft 5 might find headroom a bit pinched and should avoid GT-Line S models due to the sunroof robbing headroom. But the vast majority will be more than comfortable.

It’s the same story in the back, too, where the EV6’s almost limo-like legroom gives generous space for six-footers to stretch out, while the flat floor means sitting three abreast is perfectly doable. Headroom is merely average by the standards of rivals, but nobody bar the exceptionally tall would complain, while reclining backrests further aid comfort.

Storage and boot space

Kia has really made use of the space freed up in the centre of the EV6 by not having a bulky engine and gearbox to accommodate.

The ‘floating’ centre console sits separately from the dashboard, with a huge open space between the footwells that lets you store a handbag or other larger items. On top of the centre console there are also a couple of cupholders, a wireless phone charging pad and a smaller tray for coins.

You also get a big glovebox and large, felt-lined door bins. Meanwhile in the rear you’ll find smaller but still usable door bins, pockets in the front seat and an armrest space with a slide-out cupholder element.

The EV6’s 490-litre boot is hardly small, but it doesn’t offer quite the carrying capacity of cars like the Ford Capri and Tesla Model Y. Still, there’s sufficient space to store enough luggage for a typical family holiday, while the load bay itself is well-shaped and has some underfloor storage.

The seatbacks only fold in a 60/40 split rather than the more practical 40/20/40 split, but they’re easy to fold, while there’s a ski hatch to carry long, thin items. Don’t forget the ‘frunk’ (front boot) under the bonnet, which can carry an overnight bag in rear-wheel drive models but is quite a bit smaller in AWD cars.

Performance & drive: What is the Kia EV6 like on the road?

The updated Kia EV6 retains the same power outputs as the old model – and that’s fine, because even the base model offers decent performance.

The cheapest EV6 ‘RWD’ features a single motor driving the rear wheels with 228hp. That’s enough for a perfectly acceptable (if not particularly exciting) 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds and enough everyday performance for most people’s needs.

That’s slightly faster than any Renault Scenic E-Tech, but a little slower than the entry-level Skoda Enyaq Coupe and Tesla Model Y.  But when acceleration from 30-70mph the Kia feels quicker than the figures suggest – it’s just a lot gentler away from a standstill than the dual motor models.

Speaking of which, those after a bit more of a sporty feel will appreciate the extra oomph of the 324hp ‘AWD’ EV6. With a 0-62mph time of 5.3 seconds it’s comfortably faster than a dual-motor Enyaq, if still a little short of the Long Range All-Wheel Drive Model Y.

Comparison aside, the dual motor EV6 feels very punchy away from the line and gets up to speed so effortlessly we don’t think many people will crave more power.

But more power there is, in the form of the storming Kia EV6 GT. That puts out a whopping 650hp for a sports car baiting 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds and simply staggering pace. It’s the fastest car Kia makes by some margin, and sensation is increased with feature like simulated gearshifts.

All EV6s have three-levels of regenerative braking easily adjusted by steering wheel paddles. There’s also an auto regen mode that uses sensors, cameras and navigation to predict when braking force is needed, and an ‘i-Pedal’ mode that blends the strongest regen with full one-pedal driving.

Power, 0-62mph times

Kia EV6 RWD: 228hp/ 7.7 secs

Kia EV6 AWD: 324hp/ 5.3 secs

Kia EV6 GT: 650hp/ 3.5 secs

Ride and handling

Kia took on board feedback from customers that the ride on the outgoing EV6 was too firm and has tweaked the suspension accordingly. We’d say those changes haven’t completely transformed it.

That means a Mercedes-Benz GLB or Skoda Enyaq are still a fair bit better at isolating occupants from gnarly potholes and poor surfaces. Having said that, the EV6 isn’t too harsh, and repays the occasional thump over big bumps with very good body control.

That means the EV6 stays more level and floats less than many rivals, which some may prefer over a soft feel over bumps. Overall, the EV6 still rides better than a Tesla Model Y and Nissan Ariya.

The relatively firm ride, combined with a driving position that’s lower than most big electric SUVs, translates to decent sharp and secure cornering manners. Body roll is much less noticeable than in an IONIQ 5, while there’s good grip levels across the board and the steering is accurate, with nice weighting.

Noise and refinement

The EV6’s sleek shape means wind noise at speed is kept to a relatively low level, while the electric motor is only slightly audible under heavy acceleration. The GT performance model adds some selectable sound generation to give more audible sensations when driving, but it can be turned off.

Road noise is kept in check best with the smallest available wheels, as the 20in items of top-spec models do let a bit more surface roar into the cabin than an Audi Q4 e-tron. Having said that, there’s a bit more sound insulation than in the old EV6.

Euro NCAP: is the Kia EV6 a safe car?

The EV6 meets the standard expected for a family-sized electric car when it comes to safety. That’s thanks to the maximum five-star safety rating awarded by Euro NCAP.

An adult occupant protection rating of 90% is a particularly strong figure that puts the EV6 among the best in its class. The only negative is protection of vulnerable road users that falls behind some competitors, partly because the standard automatic emergency braking only protects against those road users crossing a junction in the top GT-Line S trim.

Every EV6 also comes with the usual lane keep assistance, driver monitoring and speed assistance. Only GT-Line trim and above gets a safe exit alert system, along with blind spot collision assist and a blind spot view monitor.

The top GT-Line S trim also adds remote smart parking (allowing you to park the car from outside using the key) and parking collision avoidance.

Charging, range and running costs

The EV6’s mid-life facelift also brought along a battery upgrade, bringing the usable battery capacity from 74kWh to 80kWh. That’s despite the battery pack being the same physical size and 1kg lighter.

As a result, longest-range model (the single-motor variant in Air or GT-Line trim) now manages 361 miles on a single charge in official WLTP testing. That’s up from the old version’s 328 miles.

Granted, cars like the Renault Scenic E-Tech and Tesla Model Y Long Range can go that little bit further still, but realistically the Kia offers enough range for a typical motorist to get about without any anxiety.

Opting for the GT-Line S model officially drops the range down to 347 miles due to its bigger wheels. That drops again with the all-wheel drive model, at a still strong 324-339 miles on a charge.

The powerful EV6 GT takes a bit of a hit on range, matching the IONIQ 5 N at 279 miles on a charge. That’s something to think about if you had long trips in mind.

One slight disappointment is that a heat pump isn’t standard across the EV6 range. This could help mitigate the effects of heating the cabin in winter on range, but Kia only offers it as an optional extra on the top GT-Line S trim, strangely.

Range on a charge (WLTP figures)

• Kia EV6 RWD Air/GT-Line: 361 miles
• Kia EV6 RWD GT-Line S: 347 miles
• Kia EV6 AWD GT-Line: 339 miles
• Kia EV6 AWD GT-Line S: 324 miles
• Kia EV6 GT: 279 miles

The EV6 might not lead the pack in terms of outright range these days, but it’s still ahead of a lot of rivals when it comes to how quickly you can top up the battery again. That’s valuable if you’re planning a very long journey with a few charging stops.

A quoted peak charging rate of up to 263kW is higher than the electric SUV norm, and only beaten by the very latest premium offerings such as the Mercedes-Benz GLB. In ideal scenarios this means the Kia can charge from 10-80% in as little as 17 minutes.

We say ‘ideal’ because, even though the fastest public DC rapid chargers quote speeds well in excess of that, the actual speed can be restricted by how busy the site is or various other factors. Still, the EV6 gives you a better chance than many.

All versions of the EV6 come with 11kW on-board charging to help make the most of AC destination chargers.  You also get Vehicle to Load tech that can power household appliances or camping gear from the external port or, on the top-spec car, an internal three-pin socket.

Charging speeds

(Figures from EV Database)

• 7kW charging: 12hr 45 mins
• 11kW charging: 8hr 45 mins
• 50kW rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 71 mins
• 300kW+ rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 17 mins

How much does the Kia EV6 cost to insure?

The Kia EV6’s insurance groups start at 34 for the single motor Air model, rising to 35 for the GT-Line version and 37 for GT-Line S.  That is considerably higher than a Ford Capri, but not too concerning.

Opting for the all-wheel drive dual motor model increases insurance groups to 40 for all trim levels. The super-fast EV6 GT sits in the highest group 46, but that isn’t too bad a figure given the serious performance upgrade.