With Hyundai hogging all the limelight for E-GMP-platformed cars right now with the Ioniq 5 N, Kia has decided it’s time for a light EV6 facelift. Only made official in Korea for now, we can expect the update on sale in the UK later in 2024, a little over three years since the first.
A larger battery is probably the most interesting talking point, an increase from 77kWh to 84kWh likely to nudge the range up a few points. On the Korean test another 12 miles is claimed, which seems modest from another seven kilowatt hours (even at 2mi/kWh, which would be a terrible return, that’s another 14 miles), but using that number would boost a 229hp single motor car to 340 miles. Let’s hope for something like 350 on WLTP. Adding 12 to the 326hp dual motor would, neatly, make for 326 miles of range. For the GT it would eke the best number out to 275.
The new look is evidently inspired by the larger EV9, and ties the ‘6 in with the EV3 and EV5 that are set to join the electric Kia family soon. It’s the headlights that make the biggest change, with new wheel designs and reprofiled rear end also contributing. Certainly an EV6 remains a car for those that like to stand out. The blue on show here looks new as well.
Inside the cabin benefits from a neater-looking touchscreen, redesigned wheel and what’s claimed to be improved quality. Tan leather can’t have been on the options list before, either. Over-the-air updates mean the infotainment will be kept fresh without the need to visit a dealer.
For now, frustratingly, there’s no info on a revised EV6 GT, which will surely be due a shot in the arm with the Hyundai having stolen its thunder. It seems unlikely to go full 650hp Nordschleife killer, though don’t be surprised if it benefits from a few more horsepower and chassis tweaks soon. Expect Kia to get the sensible EV3 and EV5 SUVs out the way first before thinking about how to better improve Drift Mode.
For UK customers, spec and pricing for the updated EV6 is to be confirmed soon - it seems that the range will continue as was however, with the same power for the single- and dual-motor variants. Which, yes, means it’s probably a very good time to think about a deal on the current car; it’s already possible to get into a rear-wheel drive ‘6 for less than £25k, and the all-wheel drive for just under £28,000. Up the budget to £35k and GT-Line versions of both outputs, with negligible miles, are available. A little bit more than that gets you into a 160mph GT - yes, really.
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