2025 Kia EV6 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Kia sells the 2025 EV6 in Light, Light Long Range, Wind, GT-Line, and GT trim levels with single-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations. Prices range from $44,395 to $65,295, including the $1,495 destination charge. Our EV6 GT-Line test vehicle arrived in the dual-motor AWD configuration. It had floor mats and a cargo cover, and it carried a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $60,785, including the destination charge.

Wolf Gray, seen in our accompanying photos, is the only paint color that doesn’t cost extra for 2025. Fortunately, Wolf Gray is appealing and looks good with either of the GT-Line’s Off White over Black two-tone interior treatments. SynTex, which is Kia’s artificial leather upholstery, is standard. Suede seat inserts are available for a reasonable upcharge.

The EV6’s futuristic, high-tech interior looks terrific. Mostly, the materials are worthy of the EV6’s price tag, and the artfully rendered cabin doesn’t sacrifice ergonomics for style. The controls are intuitive, clearly marked, and easy to reference. Ambient lighting adds an upscale appearance after dark.

Several recent Kia models use a dual-function infotainment and climate control panel. In our 2025 EV6 test vehicle, the controls always reverted to their default infotainment setting. If we forgot to switch back after adjusting the temperature, the controls took care of it for us. That made living with them much easier.

Not counting the high-powered GT model, Kia offers three electric-drive configurations for the EV6. At the bottom of the lineup, the EV6 Light has a 63-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack and an electric motor that powers the rear wheels. It produces 167 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and offers a driving range of 237 miles.

The EV6 Light Long Range, EV6 Wind, and EV6 GT-Line have a larger 84-kWh battery. In the single-motor powertrain spec, you get 225 hp and 258 lb-ft. The dual-motor AWD versions provide 320 hp and 446 lb-ft. Range varies from 270 to 310 miles, depending on the setup and wheel size. Our GT-Line AWD with 20-inch wheels earned a 270-mile range and an efficiency rating of 35 kWh per 100 miles. We outperformed that estimate, observing 33.3 kWh/100 mi during our testing.

That’s enough range, especially if you plan to recharge the EV6 at home. As we discovered, charging away from home can be complicated. First, with this year’s switch to a standard North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, Tesla Superchargers are the way to go. But, as we discovered after setting up a Tesla app, not all Supercharger stations are open to all NACS-equipped vehicles. Plan accordingly, or get the EV6’s optional CCS adapter to maximize your charging opportunities.

When you find the right charging station, connect to an ultra-fast-charger supplying 350 kilowatts (kW). If everything is working properly, which occasionally happens, the Kia’s sophisticated 800-volt charging system brings the battery up from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. We’ve experienced this rapid recharging in other Kia models, and it is impressive.

Kia claims our test car can accelerate to 60 mph in five seconds flat. It is quick, but it doesn’t feel that fast. As is true with many EVs, you feel the EV6 thrust itself forward with authority from a stop, but as you gain speed, the sensation fades.

Regarding the ride and handling, the EV6 masks its weight exceptionally well. It feels sporty at all times thanks to a firm, communicative ride and a flat cornering stance, but it is never uncomfortable. The P225/45R20 Continental CrossContact tires are the limiting factor when hustling on a favorite back road, and while the new steering system isn’t notably rewarding, neither does it draw unfavorable attention to itself.

The regenerative braking system offers four levels of intensity. Level 4, also known as i-Pedal Max, is the most aggressive and provides one-pedal driving capability. However, we preferred Level 3, which adds noticeable regen without excessive friction.

Changes for the 2025 model year make themselves known on poor pavement and speed bumps. Kia claims it has reinforced the EV6’s frame to ensure compliance with changes to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash-testing program. That has evidently also improved the EV6's solid and robust feel when driving over bumps, cracks, and crevices in the road. Furthermore, the added sound insulation undoubtedly contributes to the EV6’s quiet interior at highway speeds.

Kia builds the EV6 on what is known as a skateboard-style platform, with the battery serving as the foundation on which the vehicle is constructed. That means it has a tall floor and is easy to enter and exit. However, it is also relatively sleek for a crossover SUV, with a low roof that tapers toward the rear. These design elements result in an intimate-feeling cabin that seems more snug than it is.

If you prefer to sit high when driving a vehicle, you might find the EV6 uncomfortable. We had a hard time finding the right mix of cushion height, angle, and seatback recline without feeling crammed into the Kia’s headliner. Ultimately, we achieved success, though the most satisfying position still had more recline dialed in than is normally preferable.

The driving position aside, the EV6 GT-Line’s heated and ventilated front seats are comfortable, and a heated steering wheel helps to ward off the chill of winter weather. The EV6 lacks a panoramic sunroof, but we didn’t miss it. The oversized standard design works just fine. Between the front seats, the center console emphasizes style without sacrificing utility or ergonomics. Of particular note is the gear selector, a large rotary dial with a Park button in the middle of it. Below the console is an open storage bin with some depth to it, which prevents items from sliding out.

Aside from tight footroom under the front seats, the EV6’s back seat is roomy and comfortable with excellent thigh support and a satisfying backrest angle. The test car had heated outboard seating positions, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports embedded into the front seatbacks. The center armrest contains a storage tray with a sliding panel that thoughtfully transforms it into two cupholders.

Kia offers a “smart” power liftgate for the EV6. That means it can recognize the presence of the key fob near the rear of the vehicle and, after a few seconds, open automatically. This is great for people who live where winter weather can make driveways and parking lots hazardous due to slippery surfaces. But it is not so great if you’re simply having a conversation with another parent after a soccer match.

When the liftgate opens, it reveals a claimed 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Practically speaking, above the load floor and below the optional cargo cover, the EV6 offers about the same luggage space as a small sedan. However, if you fold the rear seats down, the EV6 can handle 46.7 cubic feet of cargo. That’s still relatively modest compared to a typical compact crossover SUV, let alone electric rivals like the Volkswagen ID.4 or Tesla Model Y. Even the similar Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers more.

One of the EV6’s upgrades for the 2025 model year is a new infotainment system. As was true before, Kia presents it on a 12.3-inch touchscreen display married to a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. The back-end software, layout, and graphics are new and much improved.

While the tech looks terrific and is intuitive to use, without an active Kia Connect subscription, the native system isn’t of much use outside of adjusting vehicle settings. It sure would be nice if one of the many on-screen menu tiles led directly to the driver assistance features menu. Kia Connect is complimentary for three years, but it wasn’t set up in the test vehicle, so the voice recognition system failed to recognize almost everything we said. For example, we tried “Find Starbucks,” one of the most basic commands you can make, and the digital assistant replied, “Sorry, I didn’t understand that.”

Fortunately, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto create a solution to that problem. Due to the disconnected Kia Connect system, we used Apple CarPlay almost exclusively and had no trouble with Siri or streaming music to the Meridian premium audio system. The sound quality is impressive.

One of our favorite details in modern Kia vehicles is the Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. You can turn this off if you prefer, but we can’t think of a good reason why anyone might do that. Essentially, as long as you’re not the first vehicle in line, this system monitors for when traffic ahead starts to move again and notifies you when that happens.

Another thoughtful detail is how the available head-up display shows blind-spot warnings. In addition to the traditional visual indicators at the mirrors and the available Blind Spot View Monitor video feed shown in the digital instrumentation, that extra layer of notification means it should be very difficult for an EV6 driver to change lanes and cause a collision when another vehicle is in the blind spots.

One thing our test vehicle was missing, though, was a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The view through the small rear window is partially blocked by the back seat head restraints, making this one vehicle that could really use this feature.

Kia equips the 2025 EV6 with plenty of driver aids. The company goes beyond the typical standards, too, adding enhancements to many of them to add an extra layer of active safety. However, based on our time in the EV6 GT-Line, we wonder if perhaps Kia is trying to solve problems that don’t exist in the real world.

For example, while reversing out of a suburban driveway, the rear cross-traffic alert system warned us that a car was approaching from the right. We stopped, watched the car pass behind the EV6 on the backup camera, then continued. The Kia had other ideas and slammed on its own brakes to bring us to a sudden, hard, unexpected, unpleasant, and entirely unnecessary halt. Unfortunately, based on what the settings suggested, we could not turn that feature off without also disabling the rear cross-traffic alert system. So we accepted that it could be an occasional problem.

Minutes later, from the school drop-off lane along the curb, we signaled to enter the pass-through lane. A car was approaching, and the blind-spot monitoring system dutifully noted that it wasn’t safe to pull into that lane. We waited, watched the car pass, and then continued. Again, the Kia had other ideas and slammed on its own brakes, producing a sudden, hard, unexpected, unpleasant, and entirely unnecessary halt.

That was the Blind Spot Safety system in action. Had another parent in the vehicle behind us elected to follow the Kia into the pass-through lane, this feature could have caused a minor fender-bender. Fortunately, we could turn it off without disabling other blind-spot monitoring technologies, and did so for the duration of our time with the EV6.

On a positive note, the EV6’s Highway Driving Assist 2 technology works really well. It pairs the adaptive cruise control system with lane-centering assist and lane-change assist to provide a driver aid intended for highway travel. You must keep your hands on the steering wheel, but a light touch is all it takes to satisfy the requirement.

Regarding crash-test ratings, as of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the 2025 EV6. Results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are partially available, and in the tests completed, the EV6 earns top scores.

Every model built on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP EV platform is a top-quality, technologically advanced vehicle. They have distinctive styling, exude quality, and boast impressive performance, range, efficiency, charging time, and more.

Unsurprisingly, the 2025 Kia EV6 is extremely likable. It’s not perfect, but if you want an electric SUV that’s more like a sports wagon than a sport/utility vehicle, this Kia is particularly appealing. With the federal tax credit program expiring, the question is whether it will remain so without the $7,500 discount.

All EVs face that same issue, so at least the playing field is level. But with an MSRP of more than $60,000, our Kia EV6 GT-Line test vehicle costs as much as a nicely equipped BMW X3. Apples and oranges, you say? Maybe. But still a relevant comparison unless you are absolutely committed to buying an EV.

If that describes you, we think the 2025 EV6 is a compelling choice for its sense of style, its performance, its available range, its quick recharging time, and its generous Kia Connect, roadside assistance, and warranty plans. However, this is a crowded segment full of compelling choices, including the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and soon, updated versions of the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X.