It is easy to forget how far the Kia brand has come in the last decade. The worthy, but rather dull cars are but a distant memory. Instead, there is now a range of well made, stylish and innovative cars, many of which compete for class honours.

The new Sportage and Niro models were amongst the top ten best selling cars in the UK in 2022, which rather says it all. Both are excellent and I have enjoyed testing them extensively.

As we move ever more quickly to electrification, manufacturers are increasing their range of EVs on offer and leading the charge for Kia is the EV6. My last foray behind the wheel was in the high-performance GT version that I drove to Bruges just before Christmas. Apart from bright green brake callipers, a small spoiler, and some GT badging, it did not look dissimilar to a regular model.

However, step on the accelerator pedal and the EV6 would launch itself from rest to 62mph in 3.5 seconds. I tried it and the effect on the body is quite unpleasant and it was even worse in the passenger seat, especially if you were ill-prepared for the action. I thought the ride a tad firm too, though that came as no surprise with all that firepower to deal with.

At a recent drive event, the opportunity presented itself to reacquaint myself with the EV6, but this time the range-opening ‘Air’ model, price on the road £45,245, or nearly £20,000 less than the GT.

With power fed to just the rear wheel, the EV6 ‘Air’ is a nicely balanced car, the front wheels just being left with that very important job of steering the car in the right direction. Ride is far more cosseting too, as befits a family car.

Stepping out of a combustion engine car, most EVs feel quick, with instant get up and go available from rest. If such things interest, it is claimed that the EV6 Air can rush from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds – no sluggard then. A couple of overtakes on quiet country lanes were accomplished with ease, as of course there is no waiting for the right gear to be selected or perhaps a turbocharger to spool up.

Although my time behind the wheel was limited, I have driven enough electrified Kias to know that the manufacturer quoted battery range is usually quite accurate. I therefore have no qualms with Kia’s combined range figure of 328 miles, more than enough for even the high mileage driver.

It is at this point I might mention that when I am quizzed about the latest EVs by friends and acquaintances, it is always the car’s range that is the first question. I hope we are beginning to reach the point where the quality and driving characteristics of the car might take priority once again, with an acceptance that a full-size EV should now be able to provide an adequate range for everyday driving.

I would also mention that the charging infrastructure is beginning to improve, but does need more effort directed at rural areas, as even here, many do not have a private driveway and therefore the ability to fit a home charger.

The EV6 can be recharged easily too. If you are lucky enough to find a 350kW public charger, a 10-80% fill can take as little as 18 minutes. At a 50kW unit the time will increase to 73 minutes. A 7kW home charger will require an overnight fill but the car will be ready for action each and every morning. Using one of the increasingly popular new tariffs from your energy provider, will ensure refuelling does not break the bank.

Other EV6 virtues include the spacious interior with room for four to spread out and in my test car they were covered in a black vegan leather material. Although the driver’s seat was not electrically adjustable, I found it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel.

The equipment count is suitably high with LED lighting front and rear, a 12.2” curved driver display screen with touchscreen navigation, dual automatic air conditioning and smart cruise control system amongst the highlights. There’s a raft of safety tech fitted too including a useful forward collision avoidance assist system, which thankfully I had no need to test out. In any case, my wife was in the passenger seat keeping a watchful eye on proceedings, likely more efficient than even Kia’s finest!

Journeying home, I had time to reflect on Kia’s range of EVs and each one is easy to recommend. The Niro EV came to stay for two weeks last summer and slipped very easily into my everyday life and was more than able to do its official 280 miles range with ease.

The EV6 offers more space and more distinctive styling and much as I loved the GT model, I would be more than content with the ‘Air’. I could do a lot with the saved £20,000. Maybe a perky Picanto for one of my sons, or a second-hand Stinger for those high days and holidays.