The EV6 crossover will usher in new era of electric driving, Kia says

Starting with the EV6, Kia’s EV lineup will have the “EV” designation followed by a number for the car’s position in the lineup. (All photos courtesy of Kia)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Kia drove into New York’s Times Square last night for a Hollywood-style reveal of its first dedicated EV, the EV6 crossover SUV. The battery-powered EV6 signals the beginning of the brand’s transformative “Plan S” electrification strategy that will deliver 11 new electrified models across the world by 2026, the company said in the debut release.

Unique naming convention: Starting with the EV6, Kia’s EV lineup will have the “EV” designation followed by a number that indicates the car’s position in the lineup.

The first EV6 models are expected to go on sale in early 2022.

The E-GMP modular platform will allow multiple vehicle segments – sedans, CUVs, SUVs, with dual-motor options for all-wheel drive. The architecture provides an adaptable foundation with a long wheelbase and wide stance, Kia said. The EV6 has the same 114.2-inch wheelbase as the full-size Kia Telluride SUV and compares with the width of a Ford Mustang Mach E and the wheelbase and ground clearance of a Tesla Model Y.

The first EV6 models are expected to go on sale in early 2022 in all 50 states with the GT arriving in late 2022.

The Kia EV6 will be sold in rear-wheel drive or dual-motor AWD. 

EV6 bullet points

• New Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) underpins all-new CUV in rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive.
• 800-volt multi-charging architecture enables ultra-fast DC charging capability from 10 percent to 80 percent charge (up to 210 miles range) in less than 18 minutes. (EPA certified range unavailable at the time of printing and is expected late 2021.)
• A 77.4-kWh high-density lithium-ion battery allows up to a targeted 300-mile range.
• 114.2-inch wheelbase equivalent to the Telluride SUV.
• 102 cubic feet of passenger room with a flat-floor design that yields 27.7 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row and 53.5 cu.-ft. of space with the second-row seats folded.
• GT model has 576 horsepower capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 3.5 seconds.
• 21 standard active advanced driver assistance systems with semi-autonomous driver capabilities including Highway Driving Assist 2.

EV6 First Edition

The EV6 First Edition will be available for preorder starting June 3.

Kia will offer a special EV6 First Edition available by advanced reservation at Kia.com starting June 3. Limited to 1,500 vehicles, the EV6 First Edition, with dual-motor AWD and a 77.4 kWh battery, will have such exterior details as black wheel arches in a fully loaded package. Also included will be the Augmented Reality (AR) head-up display, remote smart parking assist, wide sunroof, 20-inch wheels, 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and a two-year subscription to SiriusXM.

Three color combinations feature Glacier with dark green seats, Urban Yellow with black seats (exclusive for the First Edition) or Steel Gray Matte with black seats. Illuminated door sills will show the First Edition designation and there will be a numbered interior badge.

Performance

An energy-dense nickel-cobalt-manganese (80/10/10) battery pack will be available in two sizes: 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh. The low-mounted, underfloor pack delivers energy to both RWD and AWD electric motor layouts with varying horsepower at the front and rear axles.

RWD: 58 kWh battery with a 160kW rear motor yields 167 horsepower;

RWD: 77.4 kWh battery with a 160kW rear motor yields 218 hp;

AWD: 77.4 kWh battery with a 70kW front motor and a 160kW rear motor yields 313 hp. Estimated zero-to-60 performance in 5.1 seconds;

AWD: 77.4 kWh battery with a 160kW front motor and a 270kW rear motor yields 576 hp in the GT model. Estimated zero-to-60 mph performance in less than 3.5 seconds. Not available until late 2022.

Ultra-fast charging

The EV6 charging system supports 400- and 800-volt DC charging.

Kia says its “world’s first” patented multi-charging system supports 400-volt and 800-volt DC charging, which works on DC chargers with speeds ranging from 50kW to 350kW.

The 800v DC fast charging from a 350-kW charger allows nearly 70 miles added in less than 5 minutes and up to 210-miles (10-to-80 percent) added in less than 18 minutes.

The 11kW onboard charger for Level 2 can recharge the system from 10-to-100 percent in 7 hours, 10 minutes (240-volt AC at 40-amps) for the larger 77.4 kWh battery versions.

Vehicle-to-Load utility

The EV6 can be used as a mobile power source.

An innovative Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality allows the EV6 to be a power source to support everything from computers to home improvement projects to camping and tailgating. Electricity flows from the high-energy battery to an integrated charging control unit (ICCU), providing 1900 watts of power to electrical appliances, devices, tools, and recreational equipment.

The system includes a 110-volt power outlet in a socket on the front of the second-row seat base using an adapter to draw power from the external charge port. From a full charge, power can be drawn from the vehicle for 36 or more consecutive hours, Kia says. And the EV6 is able to charge vehicle-to-vehicle at 1.1 kW, equivalent to a 110V charger.

Interior

The EV6 cabin is focused on modern and eco-friendly materials.

The EV6 cabin is focused on modern and eco-friendly materials. Recycled plastic is used extensively throughout the interior with 100-percent vegan leather surfaces on some trims and 100 percent LED lighting inside and out.

The 2022 EV6 will have Bluetooth and wireless phone charging. 

A seamless high-tech curved high-definition audio visual and navigation screen creates an immersive experience for the driver, Kia says, with a minimal number of physical buttons for an uncluttered and driving-focused experience.

A flat-floor design yields expandable cargo space. 

The slim dashboard extends from the steering wheel across to the center of the car. Below the navigation screen are controls for heat, ventilation, and AC that have electronic haptic-touch buttons.

Thin seat frames use ultra-light “giga-steel” to maximize rear-seat space and knee room due to a slim seatback design.

The EV6 will have an option for panoramic center cluster and infotainment screens. 

Standard and available features

• Panoramic dual integrated 12-inch TFT center cluster and infotainment screens that form a wide, horizontal, curved display extending across the instrument panel;
• Blue light-filtered screens to reduce eye strain and fatigue;

The Augmented Reality head-up display system. (Kia)

• Augmented Reality (AR) Head-Up Display (HUD) system. Projects graphics from the base of the windshield in a large three-dimensional image. Functions include speed and driver assistance system alerts, vehicle information, lane guidance, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions;
• Bluetooth functionality and wireless smartphone charging;
• Meridian 14-speaker audio system with Intelli Q technology. Corrects audio volume and sound quality according to vehicle speed change;
• Surround View Monitor for a 360-degree image around the vehicle;
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse. Detects certain objects behind the vehicle and will give an audible warning when an obstruction is detected. The system will automatically assist with emergency braking if there is a risk of collision;
• Remote Smart Parking Assist. Allows remote parking or exiting a parking spot with the driver operating the EV6 from outside the vehicle;
• Safe Exit Assist. Audibly alerts the driver or passengers opening their door not to exit the vehicle when the system detects approaching traffic. The system can intervene to lock the rear doors when the vehicle is equipped with an available Power Child Lock.