The 2025 Kia EV6 has been tweaked to bring new looks, more range and faster charging but is that enough to stay ahead of the pack?

2025 Kia EV6 review

December 27, 2024 Matt Allan

The 2025 Kia EV6 has been tweaked to bring new looks, more range and faster charging but is that enough to stay ahead of the pack?

I make no apologies for being a big fan of the Kia EV6.

In the three-and-a-bit years since it arrived, announcing Kia’s bold new EV strategy, it’s been a consistently brilliant performer in the peculiar £45,000-£50,000 bracket where SUVs, crossovers, fastbacks and saloons all compete.

I’ve driven versions the length and breadth of the UK and cover thousands of miles in Europe in one and never had cause to complain.

But the EV market is ever-evolving and to make sure it remains among the best in its amorphous class, Kia has given the EV6 an update.

2025 Kia EV6 design, interior and technology

The Kia EV6 marked quite a departure for the Korean brand when it launched. Among a range of big, boxy SUVs (and smaller boxy hatchabacks) it was a sharp-edged but sleek thing that sat somewhere between a fastback and an SUV.

For this midlife update, Kia hasn’t messed about too much. The most obvious change is at the front where the lights have been completely redesigned and there’s a new bumper for GT-Line and GT-Line S models. There was nothing wrong with the old EV6’s ‘face’ but the updates give it a slightly sharper look and bring ‘star map’ running lights which tie in with the EV4 concept we saw in early 2024, and the slimline lights of the EV9 and EV3. Similarly, at the rear, there’s a new star map lighting design intended to emphasise the car’s width.

There have been changes inside too. Again, these aren’t monumental but they do make a noticeable difference. The steering wheel now mimics those in other Kia EVs and the twin 12.3-inch digital displays have been slightly redesigned for a neater look.

The most notable and welcome change is that the glossy piano black and shiny silver trim around the cabin has been replaced. It was always a slight weakness – feeling like it was trying too hard to ape Audi. The new finish is a more subtle slightly grained matte plastic with a duller chrome edging that looks and feels better and won’t show up fingerprints as badly.

Those changes aside, the EV6’s interior remains a brilliantly thought out and practical space. There is masses of storage in the door pockets and two-level centre console, which also features a faster 15W wireless charger. The clever dual-use dials are carried over from before, providing a neat physical solution for heating and media controls.

And there is a wealth of room for passengers. The sloping rear roof steals a little headroom for taller adults but legroom is impressively generous and the EV6 is wide enough for three people to fit without complaint, especially thanks to the completely flat floor.

On the tech front, the updated screen array houses an updated operating system with clearer graphics, better responsiveness and improved connected services including live route planning. It’s still not the slickest or prettiest system on the market, but it works well and is complemented by a sensible array of proper buttons.

Safety equipment has also been updated to include the latest lane following assist 2.0 and new hands-on detection to support the highway assist driving mode. Top-spec cars now also get a fingerprint sensor to load driver profiles and start the car without a key, and remote smart parking assist.

2025 Kia EV6 battery, motor and performance

While the cosmetic and convenience refreshes are welcome incremental changes, the biggest update lies under the car.

The first-generation EV6’s 77kWh battery has been replaced with an 84kWh unit that boosts maximum range from 328 to 361 miles. That’s not quite class-leading but it is plenty for most day-to-day or week-to-week use. It’s also worth noting that that performance is for the entry-level RWD car with the 225bhp motor. The all-wheel-drive 320bhp version drops that to 324 miles, with other variants offering between 339 and 347 miles.

The longer range has been supplemented with faster DC charging (258kW compared with 239kW) that means a 10-80% top-up still only takes 18 minutes.

On the move, the 225bhp motor feels perfectly sufficient to get the EV6 moving along and keep up with most rivals. But there’s no question that the extra 195bhp and 188lb ft of the all-wheel-drive packs a distinctly stronger punch. It’s backed up by clever torque management that keeps things calm and controlled while firing the EV6 from 0-62mph in just over 5 seconds.

That kind of pace needs a decent chassis to keep it under control and, thankfully, the EV6 is set up well. Despite the power, this is by no means a sporty car and it’s not hugely engaging to drive. But the steering is responsive and accurate and the car stays flat and composed enough to make quick progress.

That’s backed up by a fairly calm ride. The twin-motor AWD feels a bit smoother than the single-motor model, which can get a little jiggly on rough surfaces. Neither model is class-leading in its ride but nor is it bad and it’s unlikely to be a deal-breaker for anyone.

All versions of the EV6 feature six regenerative braking modes ranging from off to full one-pedal, or auto. Six modes might sound like overkill but it means you’re better able to find one that suits your driving style or tweak it according to the driving conditions than some rivals.

2025 Kia EV 6 price and specification

Kia’s strength used to be its relative low prices but the EV6 isn’t what you’d call cheap. The range starts at £45,575, rising to a maximum of £57,175 for the AWD GT-Line S I drove.

While that’s a pretty punchy starting price, you do still get Kia’s traditional high-value offering, so all versions of the EV6 get LED lights, heated front seats and steering wheel, and keyless entry. The twin screens are also standard, as are wireless Apple and Android mirroring, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera and driver assist including basic lane keeping assist.

GT-Line gets a host of sportier cosmetic touches plus adaptive LED headlights, faux leather upholstery and electric seat adjustment. GT-Line S bumps the wheels from 19 to 20 inches and gets powered door handles and a powered tailgate. Inside, the front seats are cooled and the rears heated, and there’s a 360-degree camera, a Meridian sound system and head-up display among other fancier touches.

Disappointly, a heat pump isn’t standard and is only an option on the GT-Line S. If Renault can fit one to a £35k Scenic, Kia should be able to manage on a £45k EV6.

Verdict

The Kia EV6 used to be my benchmark car in the £45-50,000 bracket and despite a slew of new and capable competitors it remains so.

It has always been a brilliant all-rounder that balances generous space and equipment levels with a refined driving experience and truly impressive performance and efficiency. The updates simply take that package and hone it even further.