Kia EV6 is official with impressive performance and range

Around a month or so after fellow group member Hyundai took the wraps off the first model using the brand new E-GMP platform developed from the ground up for battery electric vehicles, Kia is now following suit with its first foray into the custom designed EV space. Meet the EV6.

Although you may have expected very similar range and performance numbers from this model compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the EV6 actually manages to top its cousin in every respect. With the top powertrain you're getting 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) acceleration in just 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph). The Hyundai's top numbers are 5.2 seconds and 185 km/h, respectively.

There are commonalities, though. The 800V platform, which means support for 350 kW DC chargers, is still there. Like in the Ioniq 5, this means you can go from 10% to 80% battery in just 18 minutes, if you have one of those insanely fast chargers around you, of course. Additionally, you can add 100 km (62 miles) of range in 4.5 minutes of charging.

There's also the vehicle-to-load function, which lets the car supply up to 3.6 kW of power through normal household sockets to whichever appliance you happen to carry along on your trips. Kia says you can power both a 55-inch TV and a household air conditioner simultaneously for more than 24 hours off of one full charge of the EV6, though it's unclear who would actually do that, or why. This may come in handy for power outages at home, for example. Anyway, the system is also able to charge another EV, if needed.

The car has three trim levels, EV6, EV6 GT-line, and EV6 GT. For the first two of those you get two battery capacities to pick from: 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh, and you can pair both with either one rear motor (2WD) or one rear and one front motor (AWD). The top of the line Kia EV6 GT can only be had with the longer-range battery.

The 2WD 77.4 kWh EV6 can go up to 510 km (316 miles) on one charge according to the WLTP combined cycle. Furthermore, Kia promises that even at -7°C (19.4°F) outside, you'll get 80% of the range you would if it were 25°C (77°F).

Its rear motor is capable of 168 kW (225 hp) and 350 Nm of torque. If you get the AWD version, you'll have 239 kW (320 hp) at your disposal, and 605 Nm of torque, which helps propel you from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.2 seconds. The 2WD 58 kWh EV6 has 125 kW (167 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, while the AWD model gets 173 kW (232 hp) and 605 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

Finally, the EV6 GT is only offered with AWD and has 430 kW (576 hp) of power and 740 Nm of torque, helping it reach the aforementioned numbers of 3.5 seconds 0-100 km/h and 260 km/h top speed. This also has electronic-limited slip differential software, for "confident control" and "dynamic ride and handling in all conditions".

The boot/trunk space is 520l, and it goes up to 1,200l with the rear seats fully folded. There's a frunk too, which has a 52l capacity outside of North America for 2WD models, and 20l for AWD as well as all versions in North America. The EV6 has a 2.9m (114.1 inch) wheelbase, which is slightly shorter than that of the Ioniq 5 but still pretty good for the class.

The EV6 trim is 4.68m long (184.2 inches), while the GT-line and GT trims are 4.695m long (184.84 inches). The EV6 can tow items weighing up to 1,600 kg (3,527 pounds), if its battery is above 35% charge.

Inside, there are two 12-inch screens with curved displays and panels that reduce the impact of light. There's also an AR HUD, and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system.

The regenerative braking system has six levels to choose from with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. One of those six is called i-PEDAL and is a one pedal driving mode, harvesting the maximum amount of energy from the brakes and letting you drive without pushing the brake pedal.

The Kia EV6 will become available in the second half of the year, with production scheduled to begin in the middle of 2021 in Korea. The base model with the 58 kWh battery pack, 2WD motor, and around 400 km (248 miles) of WLTP range starts at €44,990. The GT-line trim starts at €54,990. Prices don't include any government subsidies, and will vary heavily depending on market.