EV6 Adventures – Quality Time With Kia’s Finest

It doesn’t seem that long since Kia launched its EV6. It was however early in 2021 and as such, the Korean manufacturer chose to update it last year. I had a brief opportunity to drive the car last November on the glorious roads of Northumberland.
Improvements included:

Larger battery: The EV6 now features an 84.0- kWh battery pack, replacing the previous 77.4-kWh unit. This larger capacity increases the maximum WLTP range to 361 miles for rear-wheel drive models.
Improved charging: The maximum DC charging speed has increased from 239kW to 259kW, allowing for a 10-80% charge in just 18 minutes.
Exterior styling updates: The EV6 sports anew headlamp design, reworked front bumper, updated wheel designs, and tweaks to the full width taillamp.
Interior upgrades: The cabin now features an updated panoramic infotainment system display, a new steering wheel, and a redesigned wireless smartphone charging pad.
Enhanced connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been added as standard features.


I came away suitably impressed, but my time behind the wheel was brief. However, just before Christmas and invite came to drive the EV6 and its newly launched little brother EV3 to Lille, to enjoy the Christmas market.

The trip was memorable for all sorts of reasons, as it provided quality time behind the wheel and an opportunity to enjoy the good company of the award-winning Kia PR team and fellow journalists, also along for the drive.

Both EV3 and EV6 performed well, soaking up the motorway miles with ease and proving suitably engaging when free from the continental autoroutes. Best of all, the predicted range always proved to be accurate, so no worries about not reaching our destination. Charging in France is easy, with plenty of affordable chargers. We only needed a very short stop on our way back to the Channel Tunnel and even without it, I am sure we would have been able to make it back to our Biggin Hill starting point with range to spare.

Not content with two goes behind the wheel, I also had a prime GT-Line S model for a week in mid-January, so am now well and truly au fait with the latest EV6.

All the updates are most welcome, especially the improved connectivity and updated infotainment. The exterior design updates are noticeable, but I am not sure there was much wrong with the original look.

I chose to push the EV6 hard on some of my favourite test routes, and although the weather was poor, the all-wheel drive traction ensured all the power could be safely deployed. And what a lot of power there is! The 0-60mph sprint time of a smidgen over 5 seconds says it all. Not so many years ago, you would have needed to be a supercar owner to experience such performance.

And all that power is readily available, whether it’s for a super quick overtake or a brisk exit from a junction. A careful watch on the speedometer is recommended as all too easily you can find yourself exceeding the speed limit.

The cabin is roomy for four passengers, five if required and the boot is a generous size. Trim quality is up there with the best and as with all Kia cars, there is a feeling that the car is built to last. And should anything go awry, the seven-year warranty will take care of it.

I can therefore heartily recommend the EV6, and incidentally the EV3 too. And if you have need for seven seats, the EV9 will most likely fit the bill.

The Kia EV family will continue to grow, with the EV5 due to go on sale in the UK this year, and EV2 sometime next year. A car for EVeryone.

Fast Facts (as driven)
Kia EV6 GT-Line S AWD
Price £57,175
Runway Red
0-62mph in 5.3 seconds
Top speed 116mph
Combined range 324 miles
Insurance Group 40
Service every 24months/20,000 miles
Max Towing Weight 1,800kg (braked)