KIA reveals Australian EV6 details, including pricing

It’s taken a while, but here it is, KIA Australia’s much anticipated EV6 in more detail.

The market is now crammed with EVs of all sizes and prices, but most carry a considerable premium over their ICE-powered sisters. Such is not the case for EV6, because it doesn’t have an ICE sister.

The sexy looking large SUV is striking from all angles, and unlike many concept cars, EV6 is a concept that jumped off the screen and into production. Men with white coats and pocket protectors were banned from the room during the creative process, thankfully.

The shape is distinctive enough, but it is the LED lighting that is intentionally made to create a signature recognisable from any distance. Flush door handles are powered in GT Line, and the matte paint adds a touch of daring that would be a bugger to clean or repair.

The dedicated platform means the ground-up design doesn’t have to accommodate oily bits. The short overhangs, and long wheelbase, dedicate space to the cabin instead of an engine. There is no transmission tunnel, and AWD versions have front and rear motors, so no need for a drive shaft intruding into the cabin. The only thing joining them is an electric control system.

EV6 was on display during the Australian Open tennis tournament, and before you ask, although we were allowed to sit in them, an EV6 drive was ruled out of bounds. EV6’s were used to ferry players and officials in and around the event, with one being kept aside for Raffa himself. Oddly, the shuttle pilots now know more about the EV6 than Australian motoring journalists!

KIA have opted for a 3-stage launch process, with teasers,  gradual reveals, and “activations”,  to spark up a bit of interest. However, there are only 500 units on offer, and they will all be snapped up on a first come, first serve basis. Another allocation will come along in due course, but it is unlikely KIA will be able to service all those who actually want one.

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ABOVE: EV 6 – KIA’s Secret weapon 

KIA’s product planning boss, Roland Rivero, brings us an EV packed with features at a rather startling price. We had expected EV 6 to be priced above Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, but how wrong we were.

EV6 AIR:

For $67,990 you get the base model Air. “Air” suggests the lightness of a car stripped of features, but if you didn’t know there was a model above it, you’d think Air was top dog.

The Rear-Wheel-Drive EV6 Air has 168kw/350Nm, and is good for a 7.3 second 0-100 dash. The 77.4kwh battery has a theoretical range of 528km, and can charge using the fastest stations available. I say theoretical because never once have we achieved the distance, regardless of brand. After having Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 for a week, we can say the Ultra-fast Charge Fox stations get an 80% top up in the time it takes you to buy a take away coffee.

18 minutes may sound like an eon, but consider this:

  • plug it in
  • catch the lift
  • walk to shop
  • order your coffee
  • walk back to lift
  • catch the lift
  • and walk back to the car

and it is done and dusted.

Like the IONIQ 5, EV6 has a VTL  (interior only on Air, adding exterior functionality on the GT Line) function to power accessories but you’ll have to wait for the full review for a demo.

Electric cars are better packaged than their ICE siblings. There is no need of fuel tanks and a wasteful engine bay, meaning more of the cabin is used for people and their detritus.

Inside, Twin 12.3” LCDs form a delicious curved screen that wraps the driver in beautifully presented data. The cabin is furnished in material that is partially recycled plastic, in a design that is modern, yet familiar.

There are proper controls, dials, and switches, and a place to plug your accessories in.

Unlike Tesla, KIA gives you a cabin you don’t need a degree to operate. Things are more or less where you expect them to be. You adjust the steering wheel like a normal person without having to enter a menu and use electric buttons. That kind of nonsense is a complete turn-off.

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EV6 GT Line:

There are 2 versions on offer, the rear-wheel-drive costs $74,990, and an AWD model for $82,990. 20” wheels replace Air’s 19-inchers. RWD GT-Line also does a 7.3 second 0-100 with a range of 504km, and the AWD sprints to 100kph in 5.2 seconds. The range is further reduced to 484km.

All EV6’s have the same size battery, with KIA not doing the cheaper low range battery packs for now.

GT Line adds considerable value in the form of:

Acoustic front door glass, VTL (exterior) and heated/cooled front seats, remote park assist and premium relaxation seats in the front.

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Safety

Like most KIA’s there is AEB, EV6 extends that with a Junction Turning function. You also get lane keep assist and smart cruise control, 10 airbags, and multi-collision braking.

Conclusion:

EV6 has a ton of personality and will take KIA to a place the Japanese and Europeans can only dream of. The pricing is keen, undercutting the Hyundai IONIQ 5 by a considerable margin. The battery range is great, the cabin is comfortable. Improved infrastructure makes owning a EV easy.

Charging is free at slow outlets, but Ultra-Fast is usually 40c/kwh. Filling to cells might be as little as $15 for 500km worth.

Watch for more detail and a full review.