Updated Kia EV6 brings 361-mile range and even faster charging
Kia has revealed details and images of the update EV6, promising boosts in battery capacity, range and charging performance.
The facelifted version of the family crossover opens for pre-order from 2 September, with first customer deliveries starting in the autumn.
Visually, not much has changed. A new shape to the headlights, full-width front lightbar and restyled front bumper are the only obvious updates. But under the surface Kia has introduced new technology for improved range and faster charging.
All versions of the EV6 now have an 84kWh battery in place of the previous 77kWh unit. In the entry-level rear-wheel-drive model, that has boosted the range from 328 miles to 361 on a single charge. Top-spec cars on 20-inch wheels see range grow from 313 to 347 miles.
As before, the EV6 is available in rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive, with either 225bhp and 258lb ft of torque, or 320bhp and 446lb ft. Twin-motor cars have also seen a boost to their range, reaching 339 miles in cars with 19-inch wheels and 324 miles in cars on the larger wheels.
While the update brings more range it doesn’t improve performance, with the RWD car’s 0-62mph slipping from 7.3 seconds to 7.7 seconds and the AWD model losing a tenth of a second to drop to 5.3 seconds. A revised version of the performance-focused EV6 GT will arrive in early 2025.
Where performance has improved is charging, with the EV6 now reaching peak charging of 258kW – an 8% increase on the older model. That means a 10-80% charge, adding up to 213 miles, can now take as little as 15 minutes at a suitable ultra-rapid device.
For the 2025 model year, Kia has dropped the Horizon trim and the EV6 now follows the same trim level pattern as the EV9 and inbound EV3.
Entry-level Air models, which are only available with rear-wheel-drive start from £45,575 – a £300 increase over the outgoing model. GT Line prices have also increased by £300, with the RWD GT Line now starting at £48,575 and the all-wheel-drive variant priced from £52,075.
The top-of-the-range GT Line S has seen a more substantial £900 price hike across single- and twin-motor versions, now costing £53,675 and £57,175 respectively. GT Line S is now also the only model available with the optional heat pump, which adds another £950 to the price.
Air versions of the EV6 come with the new battery, all-round LED lights, 19-inch alloys and body-coloured flush-fit door handles. Inside are twin 12.3-inch digital displays with wireless smartphone mirroring, heated seats and steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and vehicle-to-load capability. Adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist and lane follow assist are also standard as part of a suite of advanced driver assistance features.
GT Line brings sportier styling, high-gloss exterior details, tinted rear glass and adaptive LED headlights. The seats are upgraded to full synthetic leather with electric adjustment and ‘relaxation’ mode, and there’s wireless phone charging and safe exit alert as standard.
GT Line S brings 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, artificial suede upholstery, heated rear seats and cooled front seats, a power tailgate, Meridian sound system and a head-up display, along with more advance highway driving assistance and remote parking.
