The Drive Report: 2025 Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 continues to be built on the brand’s modular, born-electric E-GMP platform, but there’s a lot that has changed.

Back when it was launched in 2022, the Kia EV6 was something of a sensation. Its massive, sculpted form immediately signified that this was no mass-market Kia. With its bulging curves, slender eyes, long wheelbase, the EV6 heralded the arrival of a new kind of novelty. One which could allow otherwise mass market brands to breach premium/luxury borders without anyone raising an eyebrow. At a time when the EV market was still in its nascent stages, it offered a glimpse into what mid-tier electric luxury could look like.

Flash forward to 2025. Tesla has entered the market. BMW leads the luxury EV space with offerings like the iX1 and iX1 LWB undercutting the price of the EV6. Not surprisingly, Kia – having expanded its EV footprint in India not just with a premium EV9 on the luxury-end of the spectrum but also the Clavis EV on the mass market end – felt the need to upgrade its electric flagship, to allow it a better shot at keeping-up with the competition.

What’s new?

The Kia EV6 continues to be built on the brand’s modular, born-electric E-GMP platform, but there’s a lot that has changed. In terms of the exterior, you get new headlamps which look Anime-inspired with a distinct hook-like LED pattern making it even more distinct in appearance than the car it shares its underpinnings with – the decidedly retro-flavoured Ioniq 5. A body-wide LED strip now connects the headlights, accentuating the EV6’s otherworldly form, particularly in the dark. The bumper design also happens to be new, both at the front and the rear, which, along with new and enormous 19-inch alloys, and a redesigned light bar at the back – all of which our courtesy the new GT-Line trim. The only trim the new facelift happens to be available in.

The big change here is that the EV6 gets a bigger battery pack, ditching the previous 77.4 kWh unit for a 84 kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt unit. As a result, the WLTP range has gone-up by 53km, adding to a total of 583km which, in the real world is about 25% less than the claimed figure. Regardless, even a sub-500km figure is fairly impressive. But given that the extended range hasn’t come from optimising the motor or through aerodynamic tweaks, it comes at the cost of added bulk which does occasionally make itself apparent. But more on that later.

There are considerable changes on the inside too. Starting with the steering wheel which has three spokes instead of two. It continues to be optimised for space and comfort, utilising every aspect of a born electric platform to deliver such an experience. While it isn’t as impractically Scandinavian in its use of fabrics and recyclable materials like the Ioniq 5, the odd dashes of off-white do manage to collect a smear or two with ease. A few plastic elements around the centre armrest could use a wave of the quality wand but Kia has added some new textures on the dash, along with a new OS interface.

What remains unchanged is the sheer sense of space. The EV6’s hatchback form can almost trick you into dismissing just how sizeable a unit this car is. It’s only upon a closer look that you realise it’s nearly five metres in length, and almost two metres wide. It’s practically the size of an estate with a total of over 500 litres of storage space (frunk included). This is possibly one of the key contributors to its popularity, because it offers incredible legroom at the back.

Performance

Arguably one of its strongest suits, the dual-motor equipped EV6 continues to deliver power at breathtaking pace. Sure, you’re always aware of its significant kerbiage, but 605 Nm of torque along with 325 hp equal constant, near-explosive, colon-compressing power delivery. There are driving modes that you can toggle with ease, with the press of a button on the newest spoke of the steering wheel. ADAS functions remain just as vigilant, to the point of being a tad overzealous.

That said, perhaps because of the sheer size of its battery, the EV6 doesn’t always feel quite as lithe as some rivals (with noticeably smaller batteries and lesser range). This is particularly evident upon hard braking and even the highest level of regen often proves inadequate in bringing it to a grinding halt. All-wheel drive set-up ensures that traction is never an issue, and generous torque reserves ensures that it has plenty to give at the tap of the throttle. But, as can be expected from 19-inch alloys, the ride can feel a bit firm, especially at slow speeds.

Verdict

There’s no disputing the fact that the EV6 has been a massive hit. In 2024-25, Kia managed to sell 810 units – nearly three times over its cousin – the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Something about its unorthodox, sweeping form, cavernous confines and ready power delivery has connected with an admittedly large niche of buyers. Well enough to indicate that Kia has a winning formula here. And that formula remains largely unchanged, just enhanced. At Rs 65.97 lakh, it commands quite a premium, and has new competition in the Tesla Model Y. But the EV6’s insulated cabin, material quality, ergonomic cabin design, space and design surpass those of the Tesla. In terms of sheer desirability, the EV6 leads the charge.