It's been a while since I've seen an EV6 on the road, and I'll admit that's kind of why I want one a little more than the Ioniq 5.
And, if I remember correctly, we should be getting a new version of the EV6 GT (the Ioniq 5 N's Kia sibling) soon.
Need an EV to do typical EV stuff–like carry the kids, the dogs and maybe some bags of mulch? I’d start with the Kia EV6–or its near twin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. But since this is a Kia review, let’s stick with the EV6.
It’s the right size. It’s the right shape.
The interior isn’t weird. No giant iPad stuck in the dash. Crisp, clean interior lines.
You can now use a Tesla Supercharger, too.
And then there’s the driving manners: quick, quiet, composed.
Kia (and Hyundai) have been nailing the touch points.
Oh yeah, buttons and knobs: I like them. So does someone at Kia. You want to increase the sound of the radio? Are you sitting down? You turn a little knob. It’s like 1984 all over again.
Would you like the cabin to get a little warmer? Same–a knob.
Thick, meaty steering wheel, plenty of cup holders.
Kia EV6 or Hyundai Ioniq 5? I know the Hyundai has more interior space, but I do dig the lines of the Kia. How about no wrong answers between the two.
It's been a while since I've seen an EV6 on the road, and I'll admit that's kind of why I want one a little more than the Ioniq 5.
And, if I remember correctly, we should be getting a new version of the EV6 GT (the Ioniq 5 N's Kia sibling) soon.
In reply to Colin Wood :
The Ioniq 5 looks striking but, yeah, you don’t see any many EV6s on the road.
The only odd thing with these.. those radio and climate control knobs are shared..
it changes modes to do either one.. but the knob for radio volume is also the driver temperature control as well.
that said.. this is one of the best EVs available from a road trip use.
Throwing cost to the wind on a road trip.. the EV6 is 800V, so compatible with the fastest chargers.
compromise on charging speeds a bit to save some money with a tesla membership... and the charge port on the 2025+ being moved to the left rear means these can back into and use all NACS compatible Tesla Superchargers while only taking up one parking spot... unlike the Mach E, the Equinox, the Bolt, or the Ionic 5/6/9.
Ha, the new position for the charging port got me. I backed into the EA station at our local Walmart and was then like, Hey, what happened here? I’m sure I looked like a total rookie having to move to another pump.
The shared radio/HVAC controls take a few to get used to, but I’ll take them over so many other “solutions.”
What's the back seat space like? Same as the 5? I may be pulling the trigger on a replacement driver ed car and initially asked for a 5 but if this is cheaper it could win me points with the administration at school.
The Kia EV I'm interested in is the PV5, although it sounds like there are no US market plans at the moment...
Yeah... it's ugly... it's a van.. I don't really care what it looks like. In general, the more "boxy" the better.
In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :
Oh, yes, please. Would totally drive that.
In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :
That's pretty neat!
Any idea what the range/kWh of the battery is supposed to be?
I'm interested in the VW id. Buzz for my family of 7, but the range is only like 230mi, which means that if I wanted to take the kids down to visit their cousin in NJ, it would require a stop which, with a family of 7, invariably means $$$ :) Yeah, yeah, EV range anxiety, etc., but we routinely (as in, once a month or two) zip into PA to go to an amusement park or events with family and friends that's ~280mi away for (long) day trips, but the Buzz would require 3 charging stops on those kinda trips. The Pacifica requires one fuel stop, and there's a convenient rest stop on the way for the bladders.
In reply to WonkoTheSane :
My wife and I have EVs. Her's is an EV9. Stopping for "fuel" happens on long trips. We try to locate a 350KW charger because the stop for the charge alone is about 15 mins. That's enough time for snacks, bathroom, get back in. It works great. Some Chik-fil-A's have chargers now just off the interstate. Those are perfect for lunch. To charge you plug the car, run your card, it starts. There can be some shenanigans but most of the time it's like getting gas.
Range hasn't been an issue for us, ever. Long trips, we plan a charging stop. We can improvise one using the car NAV if need be. Otherwise we use A Better Route Planner combined with Plugshare to find the best charging points. 99.9% of the time we're driving locally and charge at home for that. The cost to run a 3 row SUV and a sedan came to $50 for the last 3 months. We're driving a combined 1300-1800 miles per month. The savings on fuel and maintenance will more than make up for your kids going on a shopping spree during a road trip. Our previous cars, Ford Explorer and Dodge Charger, were getting $70 of fuel every 1.5 weeks, at best.
In reply to WonkoTheSane :
Since it's still in the early stages, data seems to vary depending on where you look and what options you get, but I've seen around 300 miles. Granted, much like MPG, range will vary depending on terrain, driving style, etc...
Personally, I have less concerns about range since I always plan to have other vehicles in the fleet. An EV would be more of a daily driver/short weekend trip use vehicle. I'm more concerned about how well the van does the utility thing and unfortunately that is where the Buzz fails miserably. I pretty much never carry people, so that is not a primary use criteria for me. I also understand I am a rather small percentage of users so I don't expect manufacturers to cater to me. It's why I have a Grand Caravan over other minivans or SUVs or trucks - it does the "utility" thing for my needs easier/better than other options.
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