We showed you tasty teaser images of the Kia EV6 last week, and whatever remaining mystery there was about how it looks is gone now that the brand has pulled back the veil. We think it looks great since it has more of a wagon/hatchback shape that steers away from the crossover look and embraces a sleeker silhouette and roofline.
As we mentioned in last week's article, the Kia EV6 shares the same E-GMP platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (the brands' first all-electric platform), but it couldn't look more different from its retro-licious twin. Whereas the Ioniq 5 emphasizes the use of straight lines and a more traditional hatchback shape, the EV6 looks more like something out of Europe that wouldn't look out of place in a Peugeot or Renault showroom.
The front and rear fascias are the most notable aspects of the car. The short front overhang and the curved hood work well together, and we love the strong creases that take advantage of the full clamshell and the leading edge of the hood. The headlights have an eyebrow LED element that blends with the front fender. The back end of the EV6 has a single taillight strip that extends down to the wheel well and gets bisected by the rear wheel, continuing down and transitioning to the protruding rocker panel. The taillight also melds with a ducktail-like spoiler. The steeply angled rear glass and semi-floating roof give it an almost coupe-like look.
Inside the EV6 is a stunning display of smooth lines and a huge instrument/display panel that spans three-fourths of the dash. Even the center console looks fresh with the top deck hovering above the bottom storage compartment and an open floor in front thanks to the lack of a transmission tunnel. The steering wheel also contributes to the airy cabin with its two-spoke design. Of course, the new KIA logo shows up here and looks the part in the modern cabin.
The one aspect of the EV6 that hasn't been disclosed is power and range. But we expect it to match the Ioniq 5's single-motor, rear-drive and dual-motor, all-wheel-drive models that are good for either 215 or 302 horsepower and a 58-kWh or longer range 77.4-kWh battery. Perhaps the only issue with buyers is the range (that likely will be between 258 and 290 miles, depending on trim). Tesla is king in this regard, but the EV6 will have plenty of range for most buyers, as long as the right charging network is available.
Keep in mind that this isn't some concept but a real production vehicle that will go on sale this year, along with the Ioniq 5. This is big news for the EV segment that's growing and providing more options for those considering leaving gas cars behind. These are far cries, design-wise, from less-appealing models like the VW e-Golf (no longer made) and even the still popular Nissan LEAF.
The EV6 looks almost exotic, actually, and it should be appealing to potential EV buyers who are thinking about buying from a brand whose reputation is a bit more solidified than Tesla. We don't know what pricing will be, but we expect it to be competitive against the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. It's good news to see mainstream brands like Kia and Volkswagen in the electric vehicle limelight, and more players are coming soon and en masse.
