ALAN DOUGLAS: Road test of the Kia EV6 – new electric Kia has lots of bottle in bid to be sustainable
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In case you hadn’t noticed we’re well into the electric revolution.
It’s been given a boost, if you pardon the pun, by the recent rise in the price of petrol and diesel but alongside that, there’s now a great range of EVs to choose from.
The technology is making massive strides with quicker charging times and the range on a full charge becoming more practical for everyday use.
In contrast, the charging infrastructure still has some way to go with more reliable working charging points.
Putting that aside, one of the best of the new offers is the first bespoke all-electric car from Korean maker Kia and signals the start of their ambitious programme to bring us no fewer than 11 all-new battery-electric models over the next four years.
The EV6 looks sensational with stylish design, drives superbly, can charge quickly, has stacks of space and with a potential range of up to 330 miles on a full charge is a practical electric family car.
It sits on a new Electric-Global Modular Platform, which it shares with its sister company Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, but while that car is stylish, innovative and all-round impressive, the EV6 has more appeal with a sportier response for the enthusiastic driver.
There are two options in the EV6 range – a 226bhp rear-wheel drive version which is the featured model, or a 321bhp dual-motor with all-wheel drive. A performance GT model with 577bhp is just around the corner. They all have a 77.4kWh battery and the single-speed auto transmission works beautifully whether you’re in Eco mode, Normal or the surprisingly sprightly Sport where the car makes the most of the instant electric power injected to the rear wheels.
That has to be used with caution because apart from the extra power, it also tweaks the accelerator and steering response and even with the stiff suspension and low centre of gravity with the underfloor batteries, the car can be quite excitable and lively for the unwary.
Selecting Sport also reduces the range of the battery quite noticeably so while it’s good fun, a sensible head will stick to Eco or Normal for everyday use.
There are three trim levels – Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S – but even the entry level comes with a huge level of equipment including 19-inch alloys, LED lights, heated front seats, panoramic 12.3-inch curved display, satnav, reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity with voice control. It’s an impressive package but as is the case with most technology now, it takes some time to get to grips with navigating the screen menu to access the range of settings.
Externally, the car has great road presence with the front’s LED daytime running lights pointing to the car’s Digital Tiger Face, Kia’s design feature for the electrified era. Below it, a low air intake widens the look of the front of the car but also channels air flow from the front under the car’s flat floor for optimum aerodynamics.
From the side, the body sweeps back to bold rear haunches and a prominent roof spoiler.
The quirky door handles are hidden within the doors themselves but unlike more expensive models, they don’t pop out automatically. Instead you have to master a two-fingered technique to gain entry.
The interior is a delight of style and class with a minimalist dash, curved screen and floating central console with the rotary gear selector. With no central transmission tunnel, the flat floor gives rear passengers loads of legroom.
With a price tag of more than £44,000, there’s the level of quality finish you’d expect but Kia are also doing their bit for sustainability.
Parts of the dashboard and centre console are clad in recycled plastics, equivalent to 107 plastic water bottles in every car and natural leather is replaced with a vegan substitute for the lightweight seats.
