KIA EV6 Reveal!

[elfrocampeador]

@Domenick are there details on features, as compared to the Ioniq 5? That's a very interesting comparison. Discounting the GT trim, which the I5 lacks, it sounds like they have very similar technical specs (which would make sense considering they're almost certainly the same basic car in terms of their engineering). The EV6's charging is a bit faster (My guess is that is merely a software thing. One wonders if perhaps Hyundai might tweak their charging curve to match at some point). The Ioniq 5 has the whole AR HUD thing (though we lack detail on that), which is pretty cool.

At the moment, the fight between them in my mind is mostly over aesthetics. In my opinion, the Ioniq 5 has the more interesting exterior (I particularly dislike the EV6's rear end and wraparound lightbar), but the EV6 has a more interesting interior (Because there are more physical bits and shapes).

 

[insightman]

Kia is showing off the vitesse (that's the hoity-toity word for speed) of the EV6 with a little 400-meter drag race. That's about 8 feet short of a quarter-mile, but close enough.

There probably weren't any Teslas available so they just used whatever cars were around for this drag-race video.

 

[elfrocampeador]

I generally like it, & I guess would probably have chosen it this sporty looking supercar over the I5 30 years ago, but right now, I'm very happy to have gone with the more sober I5 - it shows your age when you choose comfort & practicalities over speed & performance.
"Big deal" about having access to the Ionity charging network for a whole year!! {This deal also applies to the I5}
There's only 12 Ionity stations in England, I'm in the midlands so my nearest is just 90 miles away in Blackburn!!
View attachment 11262

That's actually pretty interesting, because based on the specs, it looks like the really differentiated configuration of the EV6 is the GT trim. The LR AWD config, for instance, has the same performance numbers as the I5 (if my memory serves). And if it makes you feel better, I think it would be rather mad to describe the I5 as sober (First because of it's exterior aesthetics, and secondly because 0-60 in 5.2 is still *really fast*. Like, almost all of these mature EVs coming out are basically supercars ten or twenty years ago. That's nothing to sneeze at)

 

[Domenick]

... 0-60 in 5.2 is still *really fast*. Like, almost all of these mature EVs coming out are basically supercars ten or twenty years ago. That's nothing to sneeze at)

They're like supercars, but with room for more of your friends!

 

[Dieter]

If the AR HUD is standard, the RWD will probably be my first EV. Fantastic looking car, and price looks decent.

 

[TimD]

Kia has announced its U.S. introduction of the EV6 on their homepage, set for May 18th at 5pm PST (not sure why they didn't state the time as PDT): https://www.kia.com/us/en

 

[salant76]

Kia has announced its U.S. introduction of the EV6 on their homepage, set for May 18th at 5pm PST (not sure why they didn't state the time as PDT): https://www.kia.com/us/en

View attachment 11793

Seem strange to place a shadow on the vehicle. We already know what it looks like. It will be very interesting to see what the pricing and options will look like on the US version.

 

[David T in Silicon Valley]

That's actually pretty interesting, because based on the specs, it looks like the really differentiated configuration of the EV6 is the GT trim.

I am excited by the 77 kWh battery option relative to the Niro, but what I don't have is motor-to-miles efficiency. The Ioniq 55 kWh battery scaled up to 77 kWh only boosts their claimed range to the acceptable, but not impressive, Niro's 240 miles. Longer range is one of my chief incentives to consider a new car and this may not provide it. The Niro's is slightly annoying, but not crippling.

 

[elfrocampeador]

I am excited by the 77 kWh battery option relative to the Niro, but what I don't have is motor-to-miles efficiency. The Ioniq 55 kWh battery scaled up to 77 kWh only boosts their claimed range to the acceptable, but not impressive, Niro's 240 miles. Longer range is one of my chief incentives to consider a new car and this may not provide it. The Niro's is slightly annoying, but not crippling.

We don't have any real world numbers for the EV6, but based on first drive videos for the Ioniq 5, the 77kwh battery versions of the EV6 and Ioniq 5 (Sharing the same basic engineering) should approach or exceed 300 miles (RWD, 19" wheels). We also have indications that the range cost for AWD should only be ~10-15 miles (Because it's a part time system, it disengages when it isn't needed. Quite clever, really)

 

[ITown]

Bjorn Nyland has a short-ish review of the EV6 up now:

 

[Tony S]

I think Kia went for style over function. They sacrificed headroom and cramped interior (even though EV6 has a long wheelbase). These narrow side windows make you feel like sitting in a tank. I was rooting for the EV6 ….. .

 

[ITown]

Yeah, I'm a fan of the exterior styling. Definitely haven't written the car off, but the review did make me a bit less likely to buy one.

 

[Richard Boswell]

Here's the InsideEVs debut post and some specs:
Kia Reveals Three Versions Of EV6: Announces Specs, Details
View attachment 11261
Kia EV6 / EV6 GT-line specs (Europe model):
Battery/Drive options:

• Standard Range / RWD
  range: undisclosed
  58.0 kWh battery
  rear-wheel drive
  peak system output of 125 kW and 350 Nm of torque
  
• Standard Range / AWD
  range: undisclosed
  58.0 kWh battery
  0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 seconds
  dual motor all-wheel drive
  peak system output of 173 kW and 605 Nm of torque
• Long Range / RWD
  over 510 km (316 miles) of WLTP range
  77.4 kWh battery
  rear-wheel drive
  peak system output of 168 kW and 350 Nm of torque
  
• Long Range / AWD
  range: undisclosed
  77.4 kWh battery
  0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds
  dual motor all-wheel drive
  peak system output of 239 kW and 605 Nm of torque

Kia EV6 GT specs (Europe model):
Battery/Drive options:

• Long Range / AWD
  range: undisclosed
  77.4 kWh battery
  0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds
  top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph)
  dual motor all-wheel drive
  peak system output of 430 kW and 740 Nm of torque

Common specs:

• AC charging (on-board): undisclosed
• DC fast charging (both 400 and 800V):
  10-80% SOC in 18 minutes (using 800V ultra-fast charger)
  100 km of range (WLTP) in 4.5 minutes of charge
• towing capacity up to 1,600 kg (*with more than 35% charge left in the battery)
• vehicle-to-load (V2L) function (power export up to 3.6 kW)
• Dimensions:
  EV6: Length 4,680 mm; Width 1,880 mm; Height 1,550 mm; Wheelbase 2,900 mm
  EV6 GT-line: Length 4,695 mm; Width 1,890 mm; Height 1,550 mm; Wheelbase 2,900 mm
  EV6 GT: Length 4,695 mm; Width 1,890 mm; Height 1,545 mm; Wheelbase 2,900 mm
• Boot/trunk space: 520 L / 1300 L (*when second-row seats are fully folded)
  Front trunk (Non-NA model): 52 L (2WD) or 20 L (AWD)
  Front trunk (North America model): 20 L (both AWD & 2WD)
• Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP)

I find the mileage interesting. I have the Niro EV and have driven it for 2 years. I am getting around 280 miles on a full charge, perhaps because I drive it in econo mode, it only drops down to 239 when I put it in sport.

 

[ITown]

I find the mileage interesting. I have the Niro EV and have driven it for 2 years. I am getting around 280 miles on a full charge, perhaps because I drive it in econo mode, it only drops down to 239 when I put it in sport.

Yeah, the question I have is if the 300 miles will be optimistic like the Tesla range or pessimistic/realistic like the Niro EV range.

 

[Raleigh Ron]

Isn't it unusual for the charge port to be at the back of the car - just above the rear bumper? Looks like it could easily get damaged if someone backed into the corner of your car in a parking lot.

Some folks have complained about placement of the Hyundai Ioniq 5's charge port in the extreme rear side panel, but Tesla does this too, and I've heard no accident reports from Tesla owners about damaged charge ports, so perhaps I'm worrying over nothing?

 

[ITown]

Isn't it unusual for the charge port to be at the back of the car - just above the rear bumper? Looks like it could easily get damaged if someone backed into the corner of your car in a parking lot.

Some folks have complained about placement of the Hyundai Ioniq 5's charge port in the extreme rear side panel, but Tesla does this too, and I've heard no accident reports from Tesla owners about damaged charge ports, so perhaps I'm worrying over nothing?

The Niro and Kona EV's both placed the charge port in the front of the car. I had some concern that it might be a liability in case I had an accident. So far, no accident, so I can't really assess the validity of this concern. But I would hazard a guess that a rear-side accident is less likely than a front-side one.

My big issue with the charge port in the back is that I'd rather not be required to reverse into parking spots in order to charge.

 

[David T in Silicon Valley]

Longer range is one of my chief incentives to consider a new car and this may not provide it. The Niro's is slightly annoying, but not crippling.

Since I wrote this I took a longish road trip (Bay Area to Portland, OR and the not Salem) . I am now far more comfortable (as in less stressed) with the Niro's range however I stand by the "annoying but not crippling" comment...especially in Southern Oregon I-5, where there seems to be a paucity of public fast chargers and mostly of the 24 kW variety (and some out of order for extended periods, going by the comments in the Chargepoint app, and substantiated by my own experience). On a full charge from Salem (my hotel, unadvertised, had a complimentary Level 2 charger in the lot!) I still had to stop at one of these 24 kW chargers for a bit to. ensure I would make it to the next REAL fast charger (62.5 kW claimed) just over the California border. After about 3 minutes at 50 kW the Niro ramped up admirably to about 59 kW until I hit around 70% and a limiter cut on in the vehicle. The other DC chargers I used claimed 50 kW and topped out around 45 kW in practice.

 

[ITown]

Since I wrote this I took a longish road trip (Bay Area to Portland, OR and the not Salem) . I am now far more comfortable (as in less stressed) with the Niro's range however I stand by the "annoying but not crippling" comment...especially in Southern Oregon I-5, where there seems to be a paucity of public fast chargers and mostly of the 24 kW variety (and some out of order for extended periods, going by the comments in the Chargepoint app, and substantiated by my own experience). On a full charge from Salem (my hotel, unadvertised, had a complimentary Level 2 charger in the lot!) I still had to stop at one of these 24 kW chargers for a bit to. ensure I would make it to the next REAL fast charger (62.5 kW claimed) just over the California border. After about 3 minutes at 50 kW the Niro ramped up admirably to about 59 kW until I hit around 70% and a limiter cut on in the vehicle. The other DC chargers I used claimed 50 kW and topped out around 45 kW in practice.

Sounds right to me. I think a lot of vehicles have that issue (charge around 45 kw at 50 kw chargers).

Driving to Oregon is definitely something I'd be hesitant to do with the Niro - or any non Tesla for that matter. (I assume Tesla's network has better coverage out there?)

 

[David T in Silicon Valley]

Driving to Oregon is definitely something I'd be hesitant to do with the Niro

I-5 "DC corridor" worked out pretty well until I crossed into Oregon. Then it was just less convenient, but not impossible. I just did a quick scope out of the route to LA, and that looks easy, especially now that I have a somewhat more informed awareness of different charging networks and how some DC charging stations are just 24 kW capacity and some are 50 kW, and a rare few are higher. There are more and more Bolts and what not out there every month, and I bet we start seeing more 72 kW chargers too!

If you are comfortable stopping for the better part of an hour out of every 3-4 and chilling with a book and a snack or meal it really is not a problem. During planning for this trip, I plotted charging stops ~150 miles playing it safe..but then I became far more comfortable taking the charge down below 30% and even 20% and realized I could go a lot further (of course this varies with terrain and driving speed!).I also did not have a hard deadline like *must arrive in Portland no later than 9PM on the first day* etc. Challenge yourself and give a long road trip a try, and see how it feels.

 

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's the InsideEVs debut post and some specs:
Kia Reveals Three Versions Of EV6: Announces Specs, Details
View attachment 11261
Kia EV6 / EV6 GT-line specs (Europe model):
Battery/Drive options:

• Standard Range / RWD
  range: undisclosed
  58.0 kWh battery
  rear-wheel drive
  peak system output of 125 kW and 350 Nm of torque
  
• Standard Range / AWD
  range: undisclosed
  58.0 kWh battery
  0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.2 seconds
  dual motor all-wheel drive
  peak system output of 173 kW and 605 Nm of torque
• Long Range / RWD
  over 510 km (316 miles) of WLTP range
  77.4 kWh battery
  rear-wheel drive
  peak system output of 168 kW and 350 Nm of torque
  
• Long Range / AWD
  range: undisclosed
  77.4 kWh battery
  0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds
  dual motor all-wheel drive
  peak system output of 239 kW and 605 Nm of torque

Kia EV6 GT specs (Europe model):
Battery/Drive options:

• Long Range / AWD
  range: undisclosed
  77.4 kWh battery
  0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds
  top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph)
  dual motor all-wheel drive
  peak system output of 430 kW and 740 Nm of torque

Common specs:

• AC charging (on-board): undisclosed
• DC fast charging (both 400 and 800V):
  10-80% SOC in 18 minutes (using 800V ultra-fast charger)
  100 km of range (WLTP) in 4.5 minutes of charge
• towing capacity up to 1,600 kg (*with more than 35% charge left in the battery)
• vehicle-to-load (V2L) function (power export up to 3.6 kW)
• Dimensions:
  EV6: Length 4,680 mm; Width 1,880 mm; Height 1,550 mm; Wheelbase 2,900 mm
  EV6 GT-line: Length 4,695 mm; Width 1,890 mm; Height 1,550 mm; Wheelbase 2,900 mm
  EV6 GT: Length 4,695 mm; Width 1,890 mm; Height 1,545 mm; Wheelbase 2,900 mm
• Boot/trunk space: 520 L / 1300 L (*when second-row seats are fully folded)
  Front trunk (Non-NA model): 52 L (2WD) or 20 L (AWD)
  Front trunk (North America model): 20 L (both AWD & 2WD)
• Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP)

I am very curious to hear about things like which seats are available heated, whether the steering wheel is heated, whether a heat pump is available, and about the solar roof - if it is like the Hyundai Ioniq 5?