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Electromobility is shaking up the automotive industry. Old top dogs have to take care of theirs Fighting for position and previously rather conservative providers soar to technical and price highs. Would you like an example?
Let's start with the headline: "No, that's a Kia“. We were allowed to say this sentence almost every day during our two-week test; in front of the café as well as in the supermarket car park or in front of the bakery. Passers-by and drivers initially made all sorts of assumptions about the brand, ranging from Polestar to Volkswagen (!) to "some Chinese", especially since the renewed Kia logo on the rear is apparently not immediately decipherable for everyone and the model name EV6 on its own seems a little banal.
Long Stromer
Well, that's settled now, we're talking about a Korean here. While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 sister model we have already tested looks like an SUV spaceship, the EV6 is more of a kind of hypermodern shooting brake. Compared to Hyundai, it is 6 centimeters longer. And although the wheelbase has been shortened by 10 centimeters and the overhangs at the front and rear are therefore larger, the 5,5 centimeter flatter EV6, which has a coupé-like roof profile, looks sportier and somehow also crisper.
As is so often the case with modern cars, the interior is dominated by large screens, which have been combined into a continuous unit in front of the driver towards the centre. Not everything seems logical, but the operation is overall, if you compare it with current products from the VW Group, a blessing, especially since Kia still uses rotary knobs for frequently used functions such as volume, temperature or navigation zoom.
how far does he get
A 4,70 meter long electric car, as we have already learned in the new age, offers at least as much space as a 5 meter vehicle with a combustion engine under the hood. There is therefore also a wasteful amount of space in the EV6, only the rear seating position is not ideal for people over 1,75 meters because the rear seat was mounted lower due to the sloping roof line, so that the legs have to be bent too much, which is what happens on long journeys could be difficult.
Unfortunately, the promised range is not even close to being achieved with this model 
Long journey in an electric car? At least theoretically, the EV6 has all the prerequisites for this
Long journey in an electric car? At least theoretically, the EV6 has all the prerequisites for this. Namely a large battery with a capacity of 77,4 kWh, which according to the WLTP standard should be enough for around 480 kilometers and modern charging technology with 800 instead of the usual 400 volts. Up to 225 kW charging power should be possible if you find a suitable fast charger. Then the batteries could be charged from 18 to 10 percent in 80 minutes. That didn't work with the Ioniq 5 and not here either. After all, we can manage 150 kW for a short time. Nevertheless: In these charging regions there are currently only a few, mostly very expensive vehicles like a Porsche Taycan on the road. The Hyundai Group sets a standard there.
Very high power consumption
Unfortunately, the promised range is not even close to being achieved with this model. Even those who don't constantly give in to the temptation of 325 hp, 605 Newton meters and all-wheel drive, but act reasonably cautiously and stay well below the 185 km/h top speed on the motorway, can hope for a maximum of real 300 kilometers at this time of year. Either way, the average consumption of almost 25 kW/h instead of the promised 18 kWh per 100 kilometers was far too high. Another – but rather sobering – realization of the new mobility: "Fuel" costs can hardly be saved with an e-car, at least compared to a modern diesel, even with the current gas station prices.
That aside, and some overzealous assistants, the Kia EV6 is a very well made car. The processing is top and the equipment complete. If you order the GT-Line package for 52.890 euros (including adaptive LED headlights, electric tailgate, heated rear seats) and the range-extending heat pump for 6.000 euros at the basic price of 1.000 euros, you can almost buy an electric car in the luxury class for just under 60.000 euros park in your home wall box. Especially since almost 8.000 euros of this innovation bonus will be deducted.
In the end a good car
But if you have to swallow in view of such prices for a Korean car: The EV6 is also available in the basic version with pure rear-wheel drive, more modest 170 hp and less equipment from 45.000 euros, here the real price after deducting the premium would be around 35.000 euros. You still have a good car.
Of course, the tight but not uncomfortable tuned 325 AWD is more fun. But anyone who sees electric mobility as even sportier should hold off until the end of the year. Then comes the EV6 as a real stunner GT with 585 hp and 740 Newton meters. And yes, that's still a Kia.
Technical data
Five-door, five-seat sedan; Length: 4,70 meters, width: 1,89 meters, height: 1,55 meters, wheelbase: 2,90 meters, trunk volume: 490 - 1.300 liters
Drive: two electric motors, system output 239 kW/325 hp, maximum system torque: 605 Nm, single-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, battery: 77,4 kWh, 0-100 km/h: 5,2 s, Vmax: 185 km/h ( regulated), consumption: 18,0 kWh/100 km (WLTP), range: 484 (WLTP), test consumption: 24,8 kWh/100 km
Price: from 52.890 euros (minus innovation bonus 7.975 euros)
Price of the test car: 59.890 euros (minus innovation bonus 7.975 euros)
In brief
Why: successful design, modern technology, lots of equipment, very good workmanship, long guarantee
Why not: high basic price, high practice consumption, poor overview to the rear, sometimes annoying assistants
What else: Hyundai Ioniq 5, Mustang Mach E, VW ID.4 GTX
