Car of the Year: Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 won the first Car of the Year award for Kia. This award was bestowed upon the brand in a ceremony held in Geneva.

For the past few decades, Kia has worked to reinvent itself over and over again. When we first saw this brand arrive in the United States, it was a bargain-basement brand with only a few offerings. Since that time, Kia has become a premier brand with a lot to offer. Today, you can find this brand name at the head of the table in many categories.

The Recent Branding Update

The latest movement for Kia is one that brings us a new logo, name style, and distinct design philosophy. This new philosophy called “Opposites United” offers us a dichotomy of what the automotive world can be. The idea behind this philosophy is what brings us the EV6 which is the first vehicle in this new direction. This new model is also the first dedicated battery-electric Kia vehicle using the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). Yes, we’ve seen other electric Kia models, but nothing that was only sold as an EV, which is what we have with the new EV6.

What Does the EV6 Offer?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what this new Kia electric SUV offers, we should talk about the qualities it brings. This is a vehicle that delivers a pleasant driving experience on any road. The added benefits of AWD give you control and power at all four wheels, ensuring you’ve got the driving experience you want when you head out for the day. If you need to use this EV to charge other vehicles, your electric devices, or some of your home appliances, you can do just that. The EV6 offers a Vehicle to Load functionality to make this possible.

What are the Pros and Cons of this Kia Electric Vehicle?

Pros

• Driving range up to 310 miles
• Ultra-fast charging capability
• 1,000 kWh of free charging via Electrify America
• Choice of either RWD or AWD
• Dedicated EV platform
• Excellent style and driving manners
• V2L connection

Cons

• The price is higher than expected
• Cargo room doesn’t match competitors

Going Bold with Kia

The new Kia EV6 is probably the boldest vehicle we’ve seen from this brand since it arrived in the United States. This is a vehicle capable of giving us a high-riding experience out on any road. If you’ve been looking for the electric SUV that you think will give you the drive and qualities you desire, this is the one for you. The EV6 delivers a spacious cabin with a sleek body style that rivals some of the top EV models in the industry today. If you’re looking for an electric SUV and you don’t want one of the Tesla models, this Kia is an excellent option. Enjoy the style, benefits, driving range, and features that make the EV6 the new face of the Kia brand.

A Larger Cabin for Your Comfort

Normally, a vehicle the size of the EV6 might have a small cabin that fits but isn’t nearly as spacious as what you find in this vehicle. The dedicated platform allows for the area where an engine and transmission tunnel would be to become part of your cabin. The flat floor and spacious area allow this SUV to be smaller but have the same wheelbase as the Kia Telluride at 114.2 inches long. The Telluride is a three-row SUV while the EV6 is not. What this does for you is offer more room for passengers and cargo to fit wherever you need to during your drive.

The Style Brings You the Opposites of this SUV

The contrasts found in nature also make their way to the Kia EV6. This means various shapes and angles appear where you might not expect them. The light elements are much different from anything else you see in the market and the hands-free tailgate gives you an easy way to fit items in the vehicle when you need to take a drive. The front and rear overhangs are short, giving you the athletic stance you want to enjoy when you feel like pushing this EV harder on the road.

What Features Does the EV6 Offer?

Light Trim (base model)

• Heated and cooled 58-kWh battery
• Single rear motor
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights/taillights
• 12.3-inch digital instrument panel
• Wireless charging
• Cloth upholstery
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Navigation-based smart cruise control

Wind Trim

• 77.4-kWh battery pack
• Gloss-black lower front fascia
• Powered tailgate
• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) power port
• Artificial leather upholstery
• Vented front seats
• Premium Meridian audio system

GT-Line Trim

• Pop-out door handles
• Body-colored wheel arches
• Powered sunroof
• Flat-bottom steering wheel
• Deluxe scuff plates
• Suede and vegan leather seat trim
• Rear parking sensors
• Highway Driving Assist 2
• Head-up display
• 360-degree camera system
• Enhanced forward-collision avoidance

There Are Some Impressive Options for this SUV

Starting at the Wind trim, the Kia EV6 gives you some options that you might want in your electric SUV. Some of these are:

• Heat pump for HVAC system
• AWD
• Heated steering wheel
• Rear parking sensors
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• 360-degree camera system
• Blind-spot view monitor

The GT-Line trim is eligible for:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Various seat upholstery
• Heated outboard rear seats

You’ll also find some excellent tech upgrades for each trim, giving you more functionality and qualities that enhance your experience with the EV6.

Find the Right Electric Power for Your Car of the Year

The Kia EV6 wins Car of the Year and it isn’t done being great. The three current trims will be joined later in the year by a new GT model that only comes as an AWD version. This new trim will be the most powerful version of the EV6 in the lineup. Right now, you have three choices for this electric Kia which can give you the drive you desire, plenty of driving range, and a high-quality build that shows you why an EV is the way to go.