Kia EV6 Air 2022 Review

The 2022 Kia EV6 has launched in two trim levels – Air and GT-Line – and comes with two powertrain options: single-motor rear-wheel drive (168kW/350Nm) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (239kW/605Nm).

The entry-level 2022 Kia EV6 Air tested here is only available in single-motor/RWD format, priced from $67,990 plus on road costs, while the GT-Line is offered with both powertrain and driveline options – set at $74,990 (RWD) and $82,990 (AWD), both plus ORCs.

A higher-performance Kia EV6 GT (430kW/740Nm) is also still on track for an Australian debut later this year.

The launch models are powered by a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery and, thanks to Hyundai/Kia’s new E-GMP electrical architecture, have 800V charging capability, which is twice as much as most EVs.

Kia claims it takes just 18 minutes to charge the EV6 from 10 to 80 per cent from a 350kW fast-charge station.

Official figures also suggest the Kia EV6 Air will punt from 0-100km/h in 7.3sec, which is no powerhouse but a pace that reflects the two-tonne mass on hand. It’s also said to be capable of travelling up to 528km on a fully charged battery. But more on that later.

Standard equipment for the five-seat EV6 includes LED headlights and tail-lights, rear fog lights, LED daytime running lights, a rear spoiler, flush-fit door handles, power-folding heated side mirrors, keyless entry with push-button start, rain-sensing wipers, cloth and faux leather manual-adjust seats (with power lumbar for the driver), tilt and reach steering wheel adjust, dual-zone climate control and LED interior lights.

It’s worth mentioning that – as voted by the whole family – those good-looking flush-fit door handles are ergonomically flawed in their opening action.

The EV6 features a plethora of in-car charging options. Front of cabin there’s one USB-A and two USB-C outlets and a 12V socket. The second row features two USB-C outlets in the front seatbacks and a three-pin vehicle-to-load (V2L) socket which, to me, screams in-car hair styling.

The EV6 Air rides on 19-inch alloys with Kumho rubber (235/55R19 105V), stepping up to 20s and Continental tyres on the GT-Line. Tyre pressure monitoring is standard but there’s no spare, just an inflator kit.

The EV6 Air has a braked towing capacity of 1600kg.

The EV6 is covered by Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, but just seven years or 150,000km for the battery – around 12 months short of its rivals.

The EV6 comes with eight years’ roadside assistance and service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

Capped-price service plans are offered for $594, $1089 and $1504 over the first three, five and seven years of ownership respectively.

Safety and technology equipment is extensive on all 2022 Kia EV6 models, with trim levels differentiated by nice-to-haves as opposed to must-haves which often see buyers forced to step up to pricier variants for sought-after safety kit.

The 2022 Kia EV6 Air equipment includes lane keep assist and lane departure warning, blind spot warning with collision avoidance, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit warning on doors, driver attention alert, lead vehicle departure alert, a speed limiter, and front and rear parking sensors with visual display.

There’s also a rear-view camera with dynamic guides, high beam assist, hill start assist, adaptive cruise control, anti-lock brakes and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for pedestrian, cyclist and intersection turning manoeuvres.

Driver assist technology such as lane keep assist works nicely, executing a more subtle intervention rather than a constant tug of war.

An alarm and anti-theft immobiliser are standard too.

The entry-level EV6 Air misses out on a few things like self-parking, rear collision avoidance, a 360-degree camera, head-up display, blind spot view monitor and powered child-proof auto door locks.

Importantly, all EV6 models qualify for a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Infotainment/multimedia and driver assist information is hosted on the large curved dual touch-screens and includes AM/FM/digital radio, voice control, six-speaker sound system, satellite

navigation with 10 years of traffic information and map updates, driver profiles, wireless phone charger, Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and steering wheel controls.

Trip computer details, including driving range and real-time energy consumption and efficiency, are easy to see, front and centre.

Navigating the EV6’s screens is easy to master and large graphics make them easy to read. The control bar that sits below the curved screen gives you quick and easy shortcuts to commands like map, navigation and radio as well as climate control settings.

It’s thoughtful and smart design that works well.

The rear-drive 2022 Kia EV6 Air promises a potential driving range of 528km, and based on our time behind the wheel it feels like an achievable target for conservative drivers.

Driving style and use of accessories like climate control will drain your battery faster, in the same way those things will drain fuel from an internal combustion engine.

Claimed energy consumption is 16.5kWh/100km.

As we mentioned earlier, you can top up the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in a claimed 18 minutes via a 350kW DC fast-charger, wherever you can locate one. Otherwise, Kia says it takes 73 minutes using a 50kW fast-charger, while an 11kW AC charger will achieve the same result in around seven hours.

That grows to 33 hours using a regular household power source, which underscores the impracticalities of simply plugging an EV into a domestic 220V socket.

Fitting of the SUV’s intended purpose, we took the EV6 on a family weekend away, with four occupants and the luggage loaded to the brim.

The boot, which has a capacity of 480 litres (extending to 1260L with the rear seats folded), provided plenty of space for our gear and we used the plastic-tub front trunk to stow sandy beach gear.

Two kids were comfortable in the second row and happy with access to two pillar-mounted air vents and two USB-C charge points. An centre arm rest with cup holders was also good delineation of ‘yours versus my’ space as defined by bickering siblings.

The EV6’s full battery could easily deal with the Melbourne-to-Lorne return trip of around 300km on one charge. However, my anxiety and curiosity got the better of me and we stopped by the public fast-charging station at Torquay RACV.

A 16-minute stop delivered 36.05kWh which took us from 38 to 80 per cent. At a charge rate of $0.40/kWh, our top-up cost a grand total of $14.42. Given the current price of fuel, it’s no wonder that consumer interest in electric vehicles is at an all-time high.

While that large, curved touch-screen in the 2022 Kia EV6 Air is the hero of the cabin and the minimalist design, good storage and environmentally friendly interior finishes are duly noted, the real headline is one of comfort and ease of handling.

A large battery notwithstanding, the EV6 is a mild-mannered EV that feels quite tame on the road.

The Kia’s weighty mass is ever-present and it makes the EV6 feel solid and well planted on the road. Yes, there’s still that sense of immediacy you get from EV instant torque, but it’s tempered in its delivery.

Three levels of regenerative braking allow you to tailor your feel under-foot, all the way through to one-pedal driving, while drive modes of Eco, Normal, Comfort and Sport allow you to dial up the feel at the wheel.

Sport mode giving you that more definitive shove in the seat when you plant your foot.

It’s the local suspension tune that sets the 2022 Kia EV6 apart from its rivals – including the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Kia’s investment in creating vehicles that can cope with Australia’s penchant for poor roads pays dividends. The EV6’s ride and handling are spot on.

Cabin insulation is another highlight. It’s so quiet, with very little external noise entering the cabin.

Side and rearward vision proved a little tricky for me – and some of this side vision I’m happy to attribute to my height and driving position, but the small rear window will be a challenge for all drivers.

If surviving the demands of a family road trip is the measure, the EV6 is a winner.

It’s no surprise interest in the 2022 Kia EV6 is high. It’s great – tech-savvy, relatively affordable and its real-world driving range and fast-charging capabilities will appease the anxiety of novice EV owners.

However, while this new generation of Kia’s dedicated-platform electric vehicles is an exciting indication of what’s ahead for the Korean car-maker, the lack of vehicle availability on the ground remains a frustrating sign of the times.

All is not lost. If anything, the mainstream appeal of the EV6 has helped to shift the needle on attitudes towards EV ownership.

It’s just a shame that as much as the new Kia EV6 impresses us – and is sure to impress you – it might not actually be the EV you end up buying.

How much does the 2022 Kia EV6 Air cost?
Price: $67,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 168kW/350Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 77.4kWh lithium-ion (72.5kWh usable)
Range: 528km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 16.5kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)