2022 Kia EV6: Five Things to Know

Published on February 19, 2022 in Previews by The Car Guide

The Kia EV6 is one of the most anticipated electric vehicles in Canada. Sharing most of its components with the recently launched Hyundai IONIQ 5, it will soon hit the road as Kia’s first dedicated EV.

Before you add your name to the list of reservation holders, here are five things you should know about the 2022 Kia EV6…

Many Configurations

First of all, there are many configurations to choose from. In the case of the base model, the single 125kW (168 hp) motor drives the rear wheels and is fed by a 58kWh battery providing a range of up to 373 km. Selecting the 77.4kWh battery gives you a 168kW (225 hp) motor and a range of 499 km.

The dual-motor, AWD-equipped models, which are rated at 239 kW (321 hp), feature the larger battery exclusively. They can cover up to 441 km with a full charge. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 2,300 pounds.

Later in 2022, Kia will add a high-performance variant called EV6 GT. This one generates a total of 430 kW (577 hp) and 546 pound-feet of torque, which means it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in about 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 260 km/h. An electronically controlled limited-slip differential is also included to enhance handling in all conditions.

World-Class Charging

The EV6 features a patented multi-charging system capable of ultra-fast-charging at 800V and 400V without a separate controller:

800V DC fast charging can supply nearly 100 km in less than 5 minutes
Up to 380 km of range (10-to-80 percent) added in under 18 minutes
Level 2 (240V) charging from 10-to-100 percent is done in 7 hours, 10 minutes with the 77.4kWh battery

Competitive Pricing

In a wise move, Kia Canada gave the EV6 an entry price of just under $45,000 so it qualifies for the $5,000 electric vehicle incentive from the federal government as well as provincial incentives of up to $8,000.

AWD models are priced from $54,995-$61,995, which does not include the aforementioned EV6 GT. Pricing for that one will be announced at a later date.

Here’s how the 2022 Kia EV6 lineup breaks down:

Standard Range RWD: $44,995 MSRP
Long Range RWD: $52,995 MSRP
Long Range AWD: $54,995 MSRP
Long Range AWD with GT-Line Package 1: $57,995 MSRP
Long Range AWD with GT-Line Package 2: $61,995 MSRP

Advanced Safety

Kia certainly didn’t skimp on advanced safety and driver assistance features. A total of 21 are available with the EV6. Here are some that we’d like to highlight:

Blind-Spot Avoidance Assist (BCA): When a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the EV6 brakes the outer wheel under certain conditions to help return the vehicle to its lane
Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA): Allows remote parking or exiting a parking spot with the driver operating the EV6 from outside the vehicle
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA): Assists the driver when braking to help prevent a collision or lessen the effects in certain conditions if a vehicle is detected in front. Uses automatic braking to avoid or mitigate an impact. This also works with pedestrians as well as oncoming traffic when attempting to turn at an intersection.

Clean Interior

Drivers of the Kia EV6 will enjoy a clean interior that’s almost completely devoid of physical controls. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a similarly sized infotainment touchscreen combine to form a single, curved interface.

This being an environmentally friendly vehicle, some of the cabin is made from recycled materials. For example, 111 plastic bottles are used to make the unique fabric for the seats. Meanwhile, the lack of a combustion engine and transmission results in more interior space. The floor is perfectly flat and there’s plenty of storage in and around the console.