First Drive: 2022 Kia EV6 Review

Key Features:

• Wide range of available configurations
• Faster charging, even in winter
• Solid, quiet, and quick!

Direct Competitors:

• Hyundai IONIQ 5
• Volkswagen ID.4
• Tesla Model Y
• Ford Mustang Mach-E
• Chevrolet Bolt EUV

With gas prices spiking to never seen prices, demand for electric vehicles has recently exploded. Luckily, there’s now a great selection of fresh new models to choose from, vehicles that are built on all-new electric-dedicated platforms and that promise to charge fast and offer decent range. 

The Kia EV6 is one such vehicle. It marks Kia’s third chapter in the EV race, and it’s loaded with next-generation technology that could convince consumers to ditch gasoline for good. 

Kia EV6 Canada pricing & competitors

The Kia EV6 may be the Hyundai IONIQ 5’s mechanical twin, but it’s also its most important rival. Hyundai’s duo of electric crossovers slot into a newly hot segment that includes new models like the Volkswagen ID.4, the Tesla Model Y, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV and the upcoming Nissan Ariya.

2022 EV6 | Photo: Kia Canada 

And just like some of its rivals, the EV6 kicks off at a price that was engineered to fit within Canada’s EV rebates: $44,995 (before freight) so it can be eligible for the $5,000 federal rebate. If you live in a heavily subsidized province like Québec, you’ll get a whopping $13,000 off your EV6. 

What’s also interesting about the way the EV6 was priced, is that Kia built the pricing structure with packages. This means that you’re always buying a base model with options, a smart way to bypass the price caps on incentives. Therefore, all EV6s are eligible for rebates.

Inside Kia’s 5-passenger electric SUV

Inside, Kia does a bang-up job of making us believe the EV6 isn’t shared with an IONIQ 5. The only indication that they’re corporate twins is the all-digital dashboard that’s comprised of two large screens. The EV6 gets its own colour combinations, textures and even cabin lighting. 

The center console finds actual physical touch controls for heated seats and steering wheel, and Kia engineered a neat feature on the climate control settings. Hit a button, and the entire bar transforms into infotainment controls, where temperature adjustment buttons become volume and seeking knobs. It’s a bit of a gimmick, and somewhat distracting, but it works. We nevertheless recommend using the steering wheel controls for lowering the volume.

2022 EV6 | Photo: Kia Canada 

If you’re tall, like 6 feet or more, you may not appreciate the EV6’s driving position. The driver’s seat is always way too high, even when lowered to its lowest. Tall drivers may find their head kissing the ceiling. What’s odd is that the passenger seat doesn’t have this problem. It’s lower than the driver’s seat.

The EV6 is a long vehicle. As a matter of fact, its wheelbase is the same length as a Kia Telluride. This means that rear legroom isn’t an issue. Even with a tall driver sitting up front, the available space is massive. A flat floor accentuates the feeling of spaciousness, and head clearance is top notch. 

As for cargo space, when all seats are folded flat, the Kia EV6 will engulf up 1,415 litres of your gear. That’s not bad, but both a Mustang Mach-E (1,637 litres) and a Tesla Model Y (1,925 litres) have larger cargo holds. Plus, the EV6 doesn’t have a front trunk. 

2022 EV6 | Photo: Kia Canada 

Performance and driving impressions

The EV6 can be had with a variety of different configurations depending on the size of the battery and how many electric motors you choose. Base models are powered by a 58-kWh battery, while a 77.4-kWh unit powers higher trim levels. 

Consumers can then choose to have a single motor configuration installed on the rear axle, or a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup. Horsepower and torque will vary between 167 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, to 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft for a dual-motor version with the large battery.

2022 Kia EV6 range and charging duties

Range also varies from 376 kilometers to 499 as per Kia’s claims. The EV6 is compatible with 350 kW fast chargers.

Our first drive of the EV6 happened during freezing early March weather. Kia shipped us a dual-motor version with a 77.4 kWh battery. When we unplugged it from a home 240-volt charger at -20 degrees Celsius, the onboard computer showed 300 kilometers of available range. 

And due to the heater being on the entire time, the darn thing’s consumption never went under the 30 kWh/100 km mark. All in all, we barely covered 250 kilometers in such conditions. The good news, however, is that even during cold weather, the EV6 managed to hold a constant 75 kw charging speed on a 100-kw fast charger. This translated to 60 kilometers of range during a 20-minute charge.

2022 EV6 | Photo: Kia Canada 

Punch the accelerator pedal in Sport mode in the EV6, and it instantly catapults forward as the entire cabin hums to the tune of a futuristic spaceship. The EV6 is fast, but also immensely smooth and quiet. We were impressed by how solid its platform felt and how well it took on beaten roads. This is a smooth-riding vehicle, one that also allows you to have a bit of fun with it in the snow. Remove traction control and you’ll unlock massive power slides. It’s tremendously fun to drive.

Verdict: is the new Kia EV6 worth it?

Considering how expensive gas prices have suddenly become, a vehicle like the Kia EV6 will allow you to reduce your running costs while not missing out on comfort, convenience, and technology. Plus, if you live in a heavily subsidized province, you’ll get a good deal on one. 

Kia’s EV6 looks sharp, is butter smooth and quick off the line. But we feel there are more practical alternatives out there that do a better job at being utility vehicles. If you’ve got a small family to haul around, we suggest looking elsewhere. But if you’re alone, or a couple, then yes, we say the EV6 is worth a shot. 

Are you buying a used EV? Shop our inventory of used, certified electric vehicles here.