2025 Kia EV6

In the nascent field of electric SUVs, where just about every model stands out, the 2025 Kia EV6 stands out even more. Just look at its sleek yet captivating design, range of over 300 miles, power figures that max out over 600 horsepower, ultra-fast charging, and advanced safety and tech features. Then there’s that unbeatable Kia warranty that covers the powertrain for 10 years/100,000 miles.

These qualities and more make the Kia EV6 one of our most recommendable models in the electric SUV segment, where it competes with rivals like the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Ariya, and the Kia’s cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric vehicles, including the Kia EV6.

All versions of the 2025 Kia EV6 benefit from a larger battery pack that enables longer range, minor design updates to the front and rear, and new wheel designs. On all trims except the EV6 GT, the charge port has been moved to the left rear fender, and is compatible with North American Charging Standard (NACS), so the EV6 can juice up at Tesla Supercharger stations, Inside, the 2025 EV6 gets Kia’s Star Map lighting, a D-shaped steering wheel, and updated center console.

The Kia EV6 also benefits from an electric tilt and telescoping steering column, additional sound insulation, and a reinforced frame to meet ever-stricter safety standards. The high-performance 2025 Kia EV6 GT model gets even more powerful and now features Virtual Gear Shift with simulated gear shifts, engine sounds, and the tactile sensation of a manual transmission gasoline-powered performance car.

At its $44,000-plus starting price, the 2025 EV6 starts slightly below the Tesla Model Y and Chevrolet Blazer EV, and just slightly above its corporate cousin the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Thanks to price cuts for 2025, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Toyota bZ4X, and  Subaru Solterra now begin below the EV6, as do the Nissan Ariya and Chevrolet Equinox EV. The Volkswagen ID.4 is also expected to start below once its lower trims go on sale ahead of the pricier, longer-range models.

With electric vehicles (EVs), sticker prices aren’t the end of the story. EV tax incentives can bring prices down by thousands of dollars, and to get the most money back, you’ll want to check our state-by-state EV tax incentive guide to see what might be available to you. Now that the 2025 Kia EV6 is assembled in America, specifically West Point, Georgia, it has the potential to qualify for federal tax incentives.

The Kia EV6’s resale value is expected to be about average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

In our testing, we’ve found the Kia EV6 is enjoyable enough, surprisingly exciting, or downright audacious. It all depends on which trim level you get or, more precisely, which power output and drive configuration you order it in. We’d skip the base EV6 Light RWD model, which has only 167 horsepower and takes over eight seconds to reach 60 mph. That isn’t slow, but it sure isn’t fast, especially for an EV. Stepping up just one trim to the new EV6 Light Long Range RWD rectifies that with a larger battery pack and 225 hp, which enables the zero-to-60-mph scoot in 7.3 seconds. If you opt for all-wheel drive (AWD), you get a second motor, 320 total hp, and a seriously exciting trip to 60 in just five seconds flat.

And then there is the Kia EV6 GT – the monster of the group that has become even more monstrous this year. The 2025 EV6 GT now makes 601 hp, which stretches to 641 hp in Launch Mode. Torque numbers are 545 lb-ft/568 lb-ft, respectively. Combined with standard all-wheel drive, this fastest of EV6 models leaps to 60 mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds — faster than some Lamborghini models. New this year, the EV6 GT adds virtual sounds and the sense of shifting gears to the fun via the Virtual Gear Shift. We first experienced these tricks in the similar Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and we must admit to enjoying the sensation.

Beyond and perhaps regardless of the numbers, we’ve found the Kia EV6 perfectly enjoyable to drive. It has composure and poise, yet is comfortable enough for most drivers. The steering feel is also precise and well-weighted, while the brakes are direct and inspire confidence, even with four levels of regeneration. Speaking of stopping, we love that the Kia EV6 has one-pedal driving. This feature allows the vehicle to come to a complete stop simply by lifting off the accelerator pedal. It might feel odd the first day you use it, but then you’ll never want to return to “normal” driving again. Of course, even with one-pedal mode activated, the brake pedal still functions as normal, too.

For 2025, Kia EV6 models with the 84-kWh battery can tow up to 2,700 pounds, an increase of 400 pounds.

Range and Charging

The 2025 Kia EV6 electric SUV offers two sizes of battery packs, one or two motors, and various power levels, all of which affect its range and efficiency. Thanks to battery enhancements for 2025, the least-expensive Light RWD has a range of 237 miles between charges. The Light Long Range AWD and Wind AWD are rated to travel up to 295 miles, while the GT-Line AWD does 270. The most powerful EV6, the GT, has the least range at 231 miles.

The Light Long Range RWD, Wind RWD, and GT-Line RWD get up to 319 miles between charges, the most of the lineup. At its 319 number, the EV6 is the same as the Chevrolet Equinox EV, nearly the same as the Mustang Mach-E with up to 320 miles, and just edges the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with its 318 miles. Meanwhile, the Nissan Ariya is EPA-rated at 289 miles, and the Tesla Model Y boasts up to 337.

Charging times vary widely depending on what’s juicing up the battery. At its fastest on a public Level 3 DC fast charger, the EV6 can go from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes under the best conditions. More common sources will be Level 2 chargers, like a 240-volt in-home unit, that can recharge the EV6 in around seven hours. For 2025, the Kia EV6 is compatible with the North American Charging Standard (NACS), so it can charge at Tesla Supercharger stations.

The Kia EV6’s cabin feels futuristic, and it certainly has the kind of innovation this Kia’s exterior advertises. This Kia’s interior also stands apart from the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Though these two models are similar beneath the skin, their designs showcase each one’s aesthetics. Where the Ioniq 5 is more open and airy, the EV6 feels more driver-focused and intimate. A big reason for this is due to the wide center console that separates the front seats. In the Hyundai, that space is open. Which do you prefer? In the Kia, that console houses essential functions such as the start/stop button and a rotary dial that puts the vehicle into drive, reverse, park, etc.

Then there’s the ample tech. Dual 12.3-inch screens – one in the center for infotainment duties, the other in front of the driver acting as an instrument cluster – are straight out of a luxury vehicle. As with other EVs, this Kia uses recycled materials for fabrics and the like, and no animal products are used in the manufacture of the simulated leather seating surfaces. That doesn’t mean they feel cheap, however. We think the level of quality throughout the cabin as a whole is impressive.

Thanks to a platform designed especially for electric vehicles, the EV6 has a flat floor and plenty of interior room for a 5-seater. Rear passenger space is maximized by a long wheelbase (longer than the bigger Kia Telluride’s, even) and special front seats that have a slimmer back than a typical example, made possible by a thin frame of ultra-light steel. The GT comes with model-specific lightweight front sport seats that are manually operated. If that sounds uncomfortable, fear not, they’re fine. They hold their occupants nicely in place when taking fast corners.

The rear seats also recline and fold and split in a 60/40 fashion. Luggage space is 24.4 cubic feet, which can expand to 46.7 cubic feet with both rear seats folded. In this respect, we see the results of the EV6’s sleek and sloping exterior design. The blockier Hyundai Ioniq 5, by comparison, has 27.2/59.3 cubic feet. The Tesla Model Y, meanwhile, touts 76 cubic feet of cargo space. The EV6 also has a little storage area under the hood, in what’s known as the frunk (front trunk).

The Kia EV6 has one of the most distinctive designs we’ve seen in recent years. It’s hard to categorize, but it sure is alluring. In the pursuit of optimum aerodynamic efficiency, the door handles of the 2025 EV6 are flush to the body and pop out automatically.

Looking at this wind-cheating body shape, potential buyers of a new EV6 electric vehicle will have to decide for themselves whether it’s an SUV or a hatchback with a higher-than-usual ride height. This slightly elevated stance makes room for the floor-mounted battery. Either way, we think there are plenty of features to delight the eyes, such as the various alloy wheel designs and how the taillight snakes around from one rear fender to the other. The GT-Line and GT also come with a powered wide-panel sunroof.

Thanks to the minor tweaks to the front and rear fascias for 2025, the Kia EV6 is slightly longer, with overall length increasing by 0.6 inches to 184.8 inches overall. For all but the GT trim, the charging port has been repositioned to the left rear fender for 2025.

800-volt fast charging
This is pretty much the cutting edge of charging tech. DC fast chargers allow EV batteries to add about 70 miles of range in less than five minutes. The 2025 EV6 is capable of going from 10% capacity up to 80% in 18 minutes.

Vehicle to Load (V2L)
As well as providing energy for the electric motor(s) in the 2025 EV6, the battery pack also has an outlet to power various appliances and even act as a backup in the event of a power outage at home.

Meridian audio
This is a well-respected name among audiophiles. Meridian setups are also found in Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. Wind, GT-Line, and GT models get this 14-speaker system as standard.

Wireless phone charging
Place a compatible smartphone on the pad in the center console, and recharging happens automatically. It’s standard in every 2025 EV6 and just a great little convenience feature.

Heat pump
It’s not the most exciting feature, but one worth having. It captures heat from the drivetrain and directs it into the cabin — even to the battery when required, enhancing energy efficiency. It’s standard in AWD models.

Remote Smart Parking Assist
The driver can control the 2025 EV6 from outside the car, using buttons on the key fob to ease the vehicle into or out of tight parking spaces. This is optional in Wind trim and standard in the GT-Line and GT.

The 2025 Kia EV6 Light RWD is the only model to use the 63-kWh battery pack. It returns 115 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) combined. All other EV6 variants use an 84-kWh battery pack with an estimated up to 114 MPGe combined for rear-wheel drive and 106 MPGe for all-wheel drive. The GT-Line AWD is lower at 97 MPGe, and the performance-focused GT is lower still at 83 MPGe.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Kia has some of the best warranties among mainstream car companies (along with sister company Hyundai). The basic new-car coverage on a 2025 EV6 is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first. That’s a couple of years or another 24,000 miles more than typical. It’s a similar story with the drivetrain warranty — Kia’s is for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Safety

This generation of Kia EV6 nabbed the coveted Top Safety Pick+ status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2025 model is still being evaluated using the agency’s new testing protocol. However, it did receive the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) highest 5-Star overall rating.