The future of Kia is here. The first model built on Kia’s new dedicated electric vehicle platform, the 2022 Kia EV6 brings rapid acceleration, quick charging capability, and advanced driver assistance features to the table all in a crossover package that features a fresh design.
At its front, the 2022 EV6 has a new take on Kia’s typical ‘tiger nose’ grille. The ‘Digital Tiger Face’ features daytime running lights that include a sequential dynamic light pattern. The sides are sleek with a character line that runs from the bottom of the doors to the rear wheel arches. A sloping C-pillar has a gloss black insert and above sits a wing-type roof spoiler.
The car’s 114-inch wheelbase is about 11 inches longer than the Kia Soul’s. That helps the crossover get the same cabin space of a midsize SUV out of its compact package.
The car’s electronics allow for new vehicle-to-load functionality that is capable of discharging energy from the battery to supply power, up to 3.6-kilowatt-hours worth. That’s enough to power a 55-inch television or air conditioner.
Kia’s regenerative braking system allows for power to be regained at various levels, regulated via paddles on the steering wheel. One-pedal driving is available.
Kia has made the seats out of recycled plastic, each has the material from 111 plastic bottles.
A curved infotainment system sits on the dashboard housing the all-digital instrument cluster and infotainment touch screen under one housing. Each measures 12 inches. The car also features an augmented reality head-up display system that shows alerts from the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), vehicle speed, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions.
Kia has renamed its Uvo technology “Kia Connect” and added real time services and over-the-air updates for the new model. The system can give drivers details on charging point pricing, allow them to see their charging status, plan smart charging schedules, and check range radius.
A 14-speaker Meridian sound system is available. Active Sound Design is also available. It provides drivers with audible feedback to the speed the car is traveling via the interface.
Kia has given the EV6 flexible interior packaging and numerous storage areas. There’s 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row erect. With those seats folded, the number increases to 45.9 cubic feet. That’s slightly less than what you’ll get in a Kia Niro. There’s also a front trunk that provides an additional 1.83 cubic feet of cargo space for two-wheel drive models while all-wheel drive versions get less than half of that.
The crossover has a long list of standard and available safety technology including Safe Exit Assist, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, highway drive assist with lane change functionality, and remote parking assist (Kia’s version of Hyundai’s Smart Park, made famous by the Super Bowl ads last year).
The EV6 will be produced in South Korea. It will go on-sale in select global markets starting from the second half of 2021, with online reservations beginning from March 30 in some markets.
