Kia EV6 77.4 kWh RWD GT-Line

from APEX 06

by APEX

Opel Mokka 1.2T GS Line AT

futuristic design; build quality

often firm ride

The EV6 has raised the bar. It’s a Kia, but not as you know it. And it could be in SA in 2023.

Words: Mark Smyth Motorscribe

Kia was one of the first brands to bring an all-electric vehicle to South Africa, albeit only on a trial basis. That car was the first generation of the Kia Soul EV, a model that combined the funky looks and great practicality of the Soul with a batteryelectric powertrain. Since then, Kia has been churning out EVs internationally, including a new Soul EV, the superb E-Niro and the car driven here, the EV6. A spokesperson told APEX that Kia SA is planning to bring the EV6 to SA, probably in 2023, but, for now, it is looking at its feasibility.

Sitting on the same platform as Hyundai’s World Car of the Year-winning Ioniq 5, the EV6 looks the epitome of futuristic design. Luc Donckerwolke, head of design at Hyundai Group, recently told us that while the Ioniq 5 is geometric in its looks, the EV6 is more sensual. However, he’s undoubtedly flipped that back to Hyundai with the Ioniq 6.

DEEP DATA

KIA EV6 77.4 KWH RWD GT-LINE

Price: TBC Battery capacity: 77.4 kWh Engine: single electric motor Transmission: 1-spd AT Driven wheels: R

It’s easy to see hints of Aston Martin DBX in the rear design, but that’s no bad thing, and the rest of the EV6 is marching to its own drum in a market where many EVs are still based on existing petrol- or diesel-powered models. Not only that, but the level of quality is impressive, with barely a line out of place, even to the extent that the level of perfection could embarrass a few premium German marques.

We’ve driven the EV6 GT-Line 77.4 kWh rear-wheeldrive version. This model provides 168 kW and 350 Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.3 seconds. There are all-wheel-drive models, too, as is a more powerful GT variant o ering 430 kW and a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.5 seconds.

Inside, the design is as impressive as the exterior, with two wide screens for infotainment and instrumentation and easy-touse buttons on the steering wheel. There are some compromises in terms of hard plastic surfaces on the dash. Still, a genuine premium feel shows how Kia continues to elevate itself way above the perceived quality of a few years ago.

There’s even plenty of space, despite that coupé-like roofline. Rear passengers have good leg- and headroom, and the boot space is decent, although not as large as some rivals’. It’s not short on storage either, with everything from a deep centre cubby to cup holders. Then there’s the tech… Power: 168 kW Torque: 350 Nm 0-100 km/h: 7.3 seconds Top speed: 183 km/h Energy consumption: 17 kWh/100 km Range: 528 km CO2: 0 g/km

Length: 4 695 mm Height: 1 550 mm Width: 1 890 mm Wheelbase: 2 900 mm Weight: 1 985 kg Luggage capacity: 490 L Warranty: TBC Maintenance plan: TBC

Below: Tech-laden cabin is a comfortable place, especially behind the two-spoke tiller. Rear occupants also have su cient room, despite the sloping roofline. Boot space is generous, too.

The EV6 gets LED daytimerunning lights, with the rear lamps providing a cool lighting performance. Continuing with lighting, there are several choices in terms of interior ambient lighting. There’s a wireless charging pad, Kia Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB ports, driver assistance systems and even Vehicle-to-Load (V2L). What is V2L, we hear you ask? Well, it allows you to plug in an electrical device to the car, and we don’t just mean a laptop… You can power your co ee machine from the EV6, charge up your electric bike or even top-up someone else’s EV. Now you know you can make co ee with your car during load shedding; what’s it actually like to drive?

Fortunately, it’s as impressive to pilot as it looks, with excellent handling, e ortless electric acceleration and good ride comfort. However, you sometimes feel the extra weight of the batteries, and the MacPherson struts up front and multilink rear suspension don’t always do the best job of soaking up bumps in the road. The ride can be a little firm, but the EV6 comes into its own

Front load box reserved for smaller items. A neat feature, this item has a lid.

keeping assistance system o because when it’s not beeping, it’s trying to veer left or right even though you haven’t actually crossed any lane markings. Aside from this, the EV6 is packed with useful assistance features, including Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, active cruise control, forward collision avoidance and all the stu that helped it achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Obviously, we can’t give you an idea of the cost at this stage. Given the high import duties on EVs, Kia’s lack of export credits to o set the taxes and a cost in the UK of £43 945 (R869 490.86 at the time of writing) for this particular model, it’s not going to be cheap by Kia standards. However, if Kia can land it at a competitive price with rivals like the BMW iX3, they’ll have a car that can give all of them a real run for their money. A

THE VERDICT

4½ 5

The EV6 is stylish, practical and comfortable, delivering Kia’s typically high levels of standard equipment with just the right amount of tech. Its athletic character and decent driving range add to this to make it not just one of the best electric vehicles, but a great car overall. It’s a Kia, but not as you know it.

on smooth tarmac and when you feel like hustling a bit.

Eco mode gives you the best range, but not surprisingly, Normal is the default. It provides the ideal compromise between decent acceleration and keeping that driving range to a useful level, albeit below the claimed numbers. Switch it into Sport, and its athletic side comes out, providing quick response on the throttle, weightier steering and the ability to impress the enthusiastic driver.

It cruises nicely on the highway, but you’ll want to turn the annoying lane-

NIRO PLUS PENNED IN FOR SA?

The EV6 might not be the only new electrified Kia heading to SA. Earlier this year, the South Korean automaker announced its Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) programme, a range of models on a dedicated platform that will be part of its commitment to being a sustainable mobility solutions provider. The first is the Niro Plus, initially revealed as a taxi for operators in Korea. However, while the company sees it as having the potential for both private and business use as a ride-hailing vehicle for the likes of Uber, there will also be a version purely for personal use.

Like the EV6, the Niro Plus is under consideration by Kia SA, and at this stage, the importer is looking at hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full battery-electric options. Despite being revealed this year, Kia says it will only launch the Niro Plus in 2025, so there’s plenty of time for Kia SA to decide whether it wants to bring it in.

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