Anybody who follows the electrical automobile world most likely is aware of two issues to be true: one, Hyundai and Kia have been on a roll recently. And two, their EV fashions can all be had for some actually mind-blowing offers proper now. However because the Kia EV9 will get all the eye and the upcoming inexpensive Kia EV3 will get all of the hype, is the middle-child Kia EV6 nonetheless price shopping for?
In line with one proprietor who was new to EVs and is a dyed-in-the-wool fuel automotive fanatic, the reply is totally sure.
Kia’s world EV push
A subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Group, South Korean Kia has enormous plans for a lineup of EVs made all around the world. They embrace manufacturing within the U.S., Korea, China, Japanese Europe, most likely Mexico and extra. The model’s class-leading push into EV tech has elevated it from its cheap-car origins, and the electrical choices it makes now are among the many world’s finest.
YouTuber Emadifications makes his preferences very clear upfront. He is at the moment proudly owning and modifying a fleet that features a Mercedes E400 wagon and a handbook 2005 Audi S4, and prior to now he is owned a Volkswagen Golf R, a B9 Audi S4, a supercharged Mazda Miata and extra. I would say he has glorious style.
So the Kia EV6 that he acquired in February 2022 was his first foray into the electrical world, and I would name him a rational convert: nonetheless likes ICE automobiles, positively thinks there’s a spot for EVs, and sees worth in plug-in hybrids too. I can dig it. However extra importantly, the EV6 continues to impress—a lot in order that he recommends EV buyers verify one out at this time.
His automotive is an EV6 Wind AWD mannequin, so it is properly geared up in the midst of the lineup: above the decrease Mild trims however beneath the loaded GT-Line ones and the ferociously fast GT mannequin, which is sort of its personal factor. Nevertheless it’s not wanting for efficiency at 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, or vary at as much as 282 miles. That is very stable for an all-wheel-drive dual-motor crossover; usually these take a much bigger vary hit for his or her efficiency positive aspects, like the same Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4 that are available in round 260 miles of vary.
Our EV6 proprietor pal nonetheless loves the best way it appears to be like. And true to his tuner background, he is added some visible modifications that I truly actually like: a carbon fiber physique equipment, a entrance splitter, a black roof wrap, brake calipers painted in a Ford shade of blue and a spoiler extension. Kia designers, take be aware. This might make a fairly sharp exterior package deal from the manufacturing facility.
However how has it held up? Fairly effectively. The inside plastics have maintained their integrity, there isn’t any extreme put on general, the electronics work nice, no exterior trim items are falling off and the automotive nonetheless appears to be like nice. He is barely been to the dealership for service save for a 12-volt battery difficulty that obtained fastened there; he is achieved the opposite upkeep work, reminiscent of it’s, like tire rotations and cabin air filter replacements, all by himself.
The largest put on and tear objects had been the tires, which had been changed at 29,000 miles. Sounds affordable to me. In complete, he says he is spent simply $750 in “upkeep” over the previous two years, which might severely undercut any fuel automotive until you are simply not caring for it.
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The largest problem has been the recognized Built-in Charging Management Unit (ICCU) difficulty that may drain the 12-volt battery, however he signifies the present recall ought to repair that downside. “It is the one huge downside I’ve had over two years,” he mentioned. In metropolis driving, leaving regenerative braking on and by no means utilizing the devoted Eco mode, he has averaged between 240 and 260 miles within the metropolis and 180 to 220 miles on the freeway. That is in exhausting driving, too, and so whereas he admits they don’t seem to be nice, “They may very well be worst-case situation for some folks.” I am unsure I would count on hypermiling from a man who loves modified Audis, however I’ve the identical heavy foot downside myself.
Emadifications principally costs at residence with out difficulty. He says that public DC fast-charging within the Dallas-Fort Value space is “hit and miss” however rapidly getting higher, however he recommends mapping out your street journeys and carrying a Degree 1 moveable charger. Kia’s EVs needs to be
He says his Texas Kia dealership expertise has been hit-or-miss with EV upkeep, and he does advocate packing a distant battery jumper equipment (about $50) till the 12-volt difficulty is completely fastened. However that appeared to be set to occur proper after this video ran, and he would not sound frightened about it.
So what is the closing verdict? “The costs you will get off MSRP, and the lease offers are so good… that it may get you into an electrical automobile for reasonable,” he mentioned. Whereas it is primarily his spouse’s each day driver and a “second automotive” for him, the Kia EV6 stays an incredible choice.
It nonetheless appears to be like good, has superb tech, and may profit from the infrastructure getting higher quickly. Plus, an up to date model is coming quickly. Put this in your record if it isn’t already.
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