Last updated on June 2nd, 2023 at 11:24 am
Best Crossover EV: Kia EV6
This was a tough category to judge, with so many EVs and cars in general launched into this space. There will be many more in the next 12 months too. But the one that edged past the others in our testing was the Kia EV6. We love the way it looks, and we love the way it drives. It’s also extremely well equipped, with great range and plenty of practicality.
Kia has somehow managed to make the EV6 not look like a crossover, although the relatively high stance and general layout fit the genre. It’s packed with technology, too, including side video views on the dashboard when you indicate, so you don’t miss a cyclist coming up close on the inside.
There are three motor powers available with the EV6 – RWD with 226bhp, AWD with 321bhp, and a bonkers GT all-wheel drive version with a whopping 577bhp. All are quite fast, with the RWD taking 7.3 seconds to hit 62mph, the AWD a sprightly 5.2 seconds, and the GT a staggering 3.5 seconds. Although this is a heavy car, like most EVs, it also handles in a very assured way. Range is very good, too, because Kia hasn’t bothered with the smaller battery option of E-GMP. All cars get 77.4kWh, so the RWD version has a range of 328 miles (WLTP), the AWD lasts 314 miles, and the GT 252 miles.
You get more boot space than a hatchback at 490 litres (520 litres without the boot floor), rising to 1,300 litres, although full SUV EVs will exceed this. Another niggle is that the downside of the jauntily angled roof is a bit less headroom for rear passengers than the Hyundai IONIQ 5, which is based on the same E-GMP platform. But the powerful driving, technology, and bold looks make the Kia EV6 a very desirable electric crossover.
Read our full review of the Kia EV6.
Honourable Mention: Hyundai IONIQ 5
Another serious contender in this class was also launched in the last year. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a brilliant car on the same platform as the Kia EV6. Its modern retro styling will either have you drooling or scratching your head. Like the Kia, the IONIQ 5 is much bigger than it looks from some perspectives. Also like the Kia EV6, it’s packed with technology and practicality. We particularly like the capacious boot space with flexible rear seat options, the huge glovebox, and the movable central console. This is also a great EV to drive, although we think the EV6 just edges it in this area. Either way, the IONIQ 5 is a superb EV and well worth considering.
Read our full review of the Hyundai IONIQ 5
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