New all-electric Kia EV6 revealed, priced from £40,895

Further details and pricing for the new Kia EV6, the South Korean brand’s first 'clean-sheet' electric car, have been revealed. It'll start at £40,895 in entry-level form, rising to £43,895 for the GT-Line and £58,295 for the range-topping, high-performance GT. Deliveries of the first two models are expected in October 2021, with the GT hitting showrooms in October 2022.

Based on much of the same architecture as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 from Kia's sister brand, the EV6 is capable of up to an estimated 316 miles on a charge and topping up from 10-80% battery capacity in just 18 minutes. It sits on Kia’s new 'E-GMP' mechanical platform, which has been designed exclusively for electric cars and allows for multiple powertrain configurations.

The EV6 range will feature a standard-range 58kWh battery, as well as a long-range 77.4kWh battery, both with the option of two or four-wheel drive, although the range-topping GT version is only offered in long-range four-wheel-drive configuration.

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Kia EV6 range, battery, power and performance

The entry-level EV6 has the 58kWh battery, a 168bhp electric motor and two-wheel-drive for a 6.2-second 0-62mph time. Choosing four-wheel drive ups the power to 232bhp thanks to dual motors. The long-range 77.4kWh battery model with two-wheel-drive has a power output of 225bhp and an estimated range of 316 miles; with four-wheel drive this is increased to 321bhp.

These versions of the car are available to pre-order now, with deliveries commencing in October 2021. But if you’re after something more potent, Kia has also announced the EV6 GT, a high-performance version of the car capable of 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of over 160mph. This variant will produce 576bhp and 740Nm of torque, thanks to dual motors (one on the front and one on the rear axle) and comes exclusively with the long-range battery. It can also be pre-ordered now, but deliveries won't happen until October 2022.

One important feature is the 800V charging system, which will let you add 60 miles of range in under five minutes – as long as you can find a fast enough public charger. However, the EV6 will also support 400V charging, like most electric cars. It also features a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which will allow you to charge other items using the EV6’s battery.

While Kia says you could use it to power large electronics like TVs, it would also be possible to charge another electric car using the EV6’s own battery. The EV6 will also be capable of one-pedal driving, which Kia calls ‘i-Pedal’ driving mode. This increases regenerative braking so you only need to use one foot in certain driving scenarios.

Design

The EV6 is also the first car to be designed using Kia’s new ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. The EV6 features a distinctive SUV-like shape, but with a coupe-like roofline - similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It also has a short nose, slim LED headlights and features Kia’s new logo on the bonnet above a thin strip that runs between the headlights.

Scrolling indicators and animated tail-lights span the full width of the car at the rear. A roof spoiler houses a high-level brake light, and then there’s a flat space with the Kia logo on the boot door. Black trim runs around the bottom of the car and incorporates chunky wheel arches that add to the SUV-like shape.

Interior and technology

The interior of the EV6 is similarly impressive, featuring dual 12-inch displays, as well as projectors to display key driving information on the windscreen of your line of sight. The seats also aren’t leather; instead, Kia has chosen to use recycled materials – each EV6 contains the equivalent of 111 repurposed plastic water bottles.

The EV6 will also include a host of driver safety and assistance systems. Although not as advanced as Tesla’s Autopilot, the EV6’s system will maintain speed and distance on motorways and keep it in the centre of the lane.