2026 Kia EV6 Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

4 hours ago

Overview
The 2026 Kia EV6 compact electric SUV is a veritable Swiss army knife. With a spacious five-passenger interior, a choice of several rear- or all-wheel-drive powertrains, and Kia's usual attention to design and features, it's easy to zero in on an EV6 that fits your needs. The dual-motor GT is pricey but packs a 641-horsepower electric punch that enables sub-3.5-second sprints to 60 mph. The Light Standard Range single-motor base model is slower but is roughly $20,000 less expensive. Regardless of how much power it has, every EV6 is responsive and fun to drive. It also boasts impressive charging speeds, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes or less on a 350-kW DC fast charger.
What's New for 2026?
The Kia EV6 received a makeover, a larger battery, and a host of smaller updates for 2025, so we expect no changes for 2026.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Kia EV6 is expected to start around $45,000 and go up to $66,000 depending on the trim and options.
Light
$45,000 (est)
Wind
$52,000 (est)
GT-Line
$56,000 (est)
GT
$66,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k
We're charmed by the top-spec 601-hp GT (641 with launch mode) and its heroic performance, but we figure most EV buyers are more interested in maximum driving range over maximum speediness. For those folks, we recommend the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Wind trim, not only because it's the most affordable way to get all-weather traction, but also because the dual motors generate a combined 320 horsepower versus the single motor's lower power output. Going with the standard 19-inch wheels also preserves driving range.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The EV6 is available with a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle that gives it rear-wheel drive, or with electric motors on both front and rear axles that enable all-wheel drive. While all-wheel-drive models pump out either 320 or 641 total horsepower, the rear-drive example makes do with a choice of 167 or 225 horsepower. We drove a 320-hp GT-Line AWD in Europe and enjoyed its satisfying acceleration, agile handling, and adjustable regenerative brake settings. The 601-hp GT (641 with launch mode) GT performance model sits at the top of the lineup and comes with enhancements such as an electronic limited-slip differential, firmer chassis tuning, an adaptive suspension, and stouter brakes.
0–60-MPH Times
At our test track, the 320-hp, AWD GT-Line model zipped to 60 mph in just 4.5-seconds. That'll get you to the next EV charging station plenty fast. The rear-wheel drive model provides more range but it also needed 6.7 seconds to reach 60 mph in our testing. If you prioritize maximum straight-line performance, the 576-hp GT has you covered; in our testing, it rushed to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. We also tested a 2023 Kia EV6 GT as part of a 0-to-150-to-0 speed test where it returned to a stop in just 31.2 seconds, only a tenth slower than a Toyota Supra.
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Kia
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The entry-level Light rear-wheel drive model comes with a 63.0-kWh battery pack with a KIA-estimated range of 237 miles. All other EV6s are equipped with an 84.0-kWh unit. EPA range estimates for the larger pack land at 319 miles for RWD and 295 with AWD, up 9 and 13 miles, respectively, from last year's model with a slightly smaller 77.4-kWh pack. The GT-Line with AWD drops to 270 miles of range, and the mighty GT offers just 231 miles of range. Along with an operating voltage of 800, Kia says its battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in under 18 minutes when plugged into a 350-kW fast charger. We tested this claim and confirmed that it's for real. This same setup is also said to add 70 miles in less than 5 minutes. The 11-kW onboard charger is expected to refill the battery from 10 to 100 percent in 7 hours when hooked up to a Level 2 outlet.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2025 or 2026 EV6 yet, but the 2024 single-motor EV6 has a combined EPA rating of up to 117 MPGe; the dual-motor variant is rated at 109 MPGe with the standard 19-inch wheels and 96 MPGe when rolling on the optional 20-inch wheels. Go for the high-performance GT model, and the combined estimate drops to 83 MPGe. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency. We'll update this section as soon as official EPA estimates are published. For more information on the EV6's fuel economy, visit the EPA website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The EV6's interior design and layout are not as daring as the car's exterior styling, but it looks modern and attractive. Although the center console doesn't slide back and forth and there are no front-seat footrests like there are on the Ioniq 5, the EV6 mixes high-tech content, such as a large, digitized dashboard screen, with practical elements like a floating center console containing clever storage solutions. Other touches that stand out are the two-tone, two-spoke steering wheel, the prominent start button on the center console, and the tastefully placed gold accents throughout the cockpit. The EV6 has a flat floor and a wheelbase—the distance between the front and rear wheels—that's as long as the three-row, mid-size Kia Telluride's, so passenger space is generous. There are also 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 54 cubic feet in total with the rear seatbacks folded flat. There's more storage space under the front trunk, too, but it's not as big as expected.
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Kia
Infotainment and Connectivity
The infotainment system runs through a 12.3-inch touchscreen that's an extension of the EV6's 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. However, the design and performance of the menu structure and navigation are unimpressive. Along with the ability to accept over-the-air updates and respond to myriad voice commands, the system includes popular features such as wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Additionally, the stereo can be upgraded to a Meridian unit with 14 speakers.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Kia packs the EV6 with a variety of standard driver-assistance technology that includes automated emergency braking and automatic high beams. Several other optional assists can be added for an even safer experience. For more information about the EV6's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
Standard adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist
Available remote parking assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Kia provides one of the best warranty plans in the industry. Unfortunately, unlike Hyundai, it doesn't come with any complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Kia EV6 GT
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $62,695/$63,400
POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC; Rear Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC; Combined Power: 576 hp; Combined Torque: 545 lb-ft; Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 77.4 kWh; Onboard Charger: 10.9 kW; Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 240 kW; Transmissions: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink; Brakes, F/R: 15.0-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc; Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV 255/40R-21 102Y
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 60.8 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/48 ft3
Cargo Volume, behind F/R: 50/24 ft3
Curb Weight: 4772 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.2 sec
100 mph: 8.0 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.6 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.2 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 161 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 159 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.92 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Observed: 74 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 80 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 190 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 79/85/74 MPGe
Range: 206 mi
2022 Kia EV6 Long Range RWD
Vehicle Type: rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $48,795/$53,985
Options: GT-Line trim (sunroof, Highway Driving Assist 2, park assist, HomeLink, auto-dimming rearview mirror), $4200; Steel Matte Gray paint, $695; GT-Line Suede Seat package, $295
POWERTRAIN
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 225 hp, 258 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 77.4 kWh
Onboard Charger: 10.9 kW
Transmission: direct-drive
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in solid disc
Tires: Kumho Crugen HP71 EV
235/55R-19 101H
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 60.8 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 52/48 ft3
Cargo Volume, behind F/R: 50/24 ft3
Curb Weight: 4395 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.2 sec @ 93 mph
100 mph: 18.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 118 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 168 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 117/134/101 MPGe
Range: 310 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
More Features and Specs