2025 KIA EV6

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KIA GOES ALL-IN ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES

WITH 2025 EV6 CROSSOVER SUV

Although the EV6 isn’t the only electrical vehicle Kia sells, it does hold some distinction in the South Korean automaker’s lineup as the company’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle.

The 2025 Kia EV6 is in its fourth year in U.S. markets after beating the larger EV9 to market by two years. Unlike the Kia Niro, which is also available as a standard gas-electric hybrid as well as a BEV, the EV6 is sold only as a true BEV in rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive form.

A cousin to Hyundai’s Ioniq5 EV, the 2025 Kia EV6 offers up to 319 miles in driving range when equipped with the 84.0 kWh long-range battery. Models with the standard 63.0 kWh battery have a range of 232 miles, according to the company, and are more suited for in-town use.

The 2025 Kia EV6 is offered in Light (RWD), Light Long Range (RWD or AWD), Wind (RWD or AWD), GT-Line (RWD or AWD), and GT (AWD) trims. This review is based on the 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line Long Range AWD riding on 20-inch wheels instead of the standard 19s.

Performance is outstanding with the larger battery pack. Models with the 63.0 kWh battery are rated at 167 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which is adequate to squire the compact SUV vehicle around town. RWD models with the larger battery produce figures to 225 hp and 258 lb.-ft. 

AWD models combine dual motors to deliver 320 hp and 446 lb.-ft. of torque, while the EV6 GT makes a whopping 601 hp and 545 lb.-ft. of torque. With standard GT mode activated, the GT surges to an impressive 641 hp and 568 lb.-ft. of torque, an increase of 65 horsepower and  23 lb.-ft over the 2024 EV6 GT.

Though still in the early years of its first generation, the 2025 Kia EV6 gets  refreshed front and rear styling and a refined interior that gives it the feel of a premium, high-end vehicle.

Standard comfort and convenience features include a 12.3-inch panoramic touchscreen with navigation, a head-up display, three years of complimentary Kia Connect services that link your car to mobile networks via your Smartphone, Meridien Premium audio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Smart key with push-button start, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone climate control.

Between the navigation touchscreen and the instrument panel display is a separate small screen to operate climate controls, a nice touch so you don’t have to work your way through the navigation or audio screens to adjust your temperature or blower.

The lineup of driver assist features is impressive. They include forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot assist, lane-keeping and lane-following assist, rear cross-traffic alert, parking distance warning, parking collision avoidance, a surround-view monitor, ‘Smart (adaptive) cruise control, and remote Smart parking assist.that actually will park your vehicle ,either parallel or perpendicular, for you.

Other standard features on the 2025 Kia EV7 GT-Line include a power sunroof, a Smart power liftgate, a rear privacy glass, rear spoiler, and a pre-wired towing package.

Starting MSRP for the 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line is $60,375 including destination and delivery charges. My test 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line came with several extras at no charge. They were a dual electric motor that boosted horsepower and torque to 320 hp and 446 pound-feet over the 225/258,, respectively, in the standard single motor, a heat pump, heated steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats.

Carpeted floor mats and a cargo cover ran the final total to $60,740, which is on the high end of the EV SUV segment, but not extraordinarily so.

Though tax credits for purchasing electric vehicles have expired, the final assembly  point for the 2025 Kia EV6 is the company’s plant in West Point, Ga., which means it escapes tariff charges on imported vehicles.

What I liked about the 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line: As is typical of electric vehicles, it has great acceleration and is fun to drive. The cabin is comfortable and roomy both front and back and filled with lots of tech and driver-assistance features. Driving range is impressive with the long-range battery. When engaged by pushing a convenient button, an auto-hold function prevents creeping while idling at intersections. Separating climate control functions to a dedicated screen between the two major screens is a nice touch.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line: The infotainment system overall is user-friendly enough but there are some quirks you have to work through to get to some functions and no knobs for audio volume or surfing the radio dial. Rear storage space (24.5 cubic feet with rear seats in place) is not what you would expect from an SUV and not up to that offered by some competitors.

Would I buy the 2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line? I’m still holding back before going all-in on electric vehicles. The inconvenience of finding working public charging outlets makes installing an in-home charger pretty much mandatory if you’re buying an EV. You can access Tesla charging outlets but that requires downloading that company’s app.