The facelifted Kia EV6 features a larger 84kWh battery, sharper headlights, a smoother ride and an upgraded interior.
After a week with the entry-level ‘Air’ RWD, I can confirm those aren’t just brochure bulletpoints – they’re the reasons this now feels like the most complete electric family car you can buy without stepping into premium pricing.
The updates are subtle but significant. The old, slightly soft-faced front end has been tightened up with angular LED units that borrow the EV9’s intricate “Star Map” signature, giving the car a wider, more purposeful stance.
It still looks futuristic, but now there’s a bit more bite to match its capabilities. Around the back, the full-width light bar has been subtly revised to echo the new front graphics, while fresh wheel designs and a slightly longer body (up 15 mm) add polish without changing the EV6’s distinctive crossover silhouette.
Under the skin, the big story is the fourth-generation 84.0 kWh battery, up from 77.4 kWh.
The Officially, that lifts the combined WLTP range to 361 miles for this rear-wheel-drive ‘Air’, with city driving quoted as high as 475 miles. In my mixed real-world use – motorway commutes, A-road sweeps and urban errands – I consistently saw 3.6-3.9 mi/kWh, which means a practical 280-320 miles between charges depending on speed and weather.
That’s the kind of margin that makes long trips feel routine rather than stressful.
Charging is where the EV6 continues to punch above its weight. The 800‑volt architecture now peaks at 258kW, with 10-80 per cent replenished in 18 minutes on a 350 kW DC charger.
What surprised me most, though, was how much nicer the EV6 now feels to live with day to day. Kia has retuned the suspension with upgraded frequency‑selective dampers, added more sound insulation and reinforced the frame, and the result is a cabin that’s noticeably quieter and more composed.
The Kia EV6 pictured with a scenic backdrop
The ride irons out broken streets without becoming too floaty, yet the car still sits flat and confident through faster corners thanks to its long 2,900 mm wheelbase and low, underfloor battery.
Steering is light but precise, with enough weight in Sport mode to make a twisty B-road engaging.
The 225bhp rear motor isn’t class-leading on paper, enabling 0-62 mph in 7.7 seconds, but torque is instant and delivery is linear.
The brake pedal is one of the best in the segment: progressive, predictable and beautifully blended with the four-stage regenerative system. I spent most of my time in i‑Pedal, creeping through traffic with one pedal and rarely touching the brake, which also helps eke out extra miles between charges.
The Inside, the changes are subtle but meaningful. The panoramic curved display, with twin 12.3‑inch screens, looks sleeker with a revised frame, while the new D‑shaped steering wheel and updated centre console give the cabin a more modern, driver-focused feel.
Kia has ditched the fingerprint-prone piano black for a brushed, textured finish.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto worked flawlessly, and the split-screen functionality proved useful.
The ‘Air’ trim keeps things sensible rather than sparse: heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate, a full suite of driver assists (adaptive cruise with stop‑go, lane follow/keep, forward collision avoidance and highway driving assist) and a generous 490-litre boot that expands to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded. The flat E‑GMP floor gives excellent rear legroom, and the 52-litre frunk on this RWD model is perfect for cables or a small weekend bag.
At £45,635 on the road, the EV6 ‘Air’ 84kWh RWD sits in a sweet spot: enough range and charging speed for serious mileage, a refined and spacious cabin, and driving dynamics that reward you when the road gets interesting. The facelift hasn’t reinvented the EV6, but it has tightened up the bits that mattered most – and in doing so, it’s turned an already strong contender into the electric car I’d happily recommend to friends and family.
PRICE: £45,635
0-62MPH: 7.7 seconds
MAX SPEED: 115mph
POWER: 84.0kWh Li-ion polymer battery
MAX TORQUE (Nm/rpm): 350/0-4,400
RANGE: 361 miles combined
DC FAST CHARGE TIME (10-80%) 350kW: 18m