Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 was the car that properly announced Kia’s EV ambitions in India back in 2022. With its futuristic design, sports-car-rivalling performance and genuinely premium feel, it instantly stood out in an otherwise conservative luxury EV space.

Now, Kia has given the EV6 a mid-life facelift, and while it may not look drastically different at first glance, the updates are meaningful where it matters most. There’s a larger battery, improved real-world range, refreshed styling details, and upgraded tech inside the cabin.

Think of this facelift as a smarter, more usable EV6 rather than a radical reinvention. Let’s break it down section by section.

Design (4.5 out of 5)

The Kia EV6 facelift doesn’t scream for attention, but if you know what to look for, the updates are easy to spot. The overall silhouette remains unchanged, and that’s a good thing because the EV6 still looks futuristic even three years after launch.

Up front, the biggest change comes from the redesigned headlights. They now feature a sharper, hook-shaped LED DRL signature that looks more aggressive and modern. A slim full-width LED strip ties the headlights together, giving the nose a cleaner and more tech-heavy appearance. The bumpers have been reworked as well, lending the EV6 a slightly sportier stance.

From the side, the coupe-like roofline, flush door handles and long wheelbase continue to define the EV6’s design language. New 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels add freshness, and they suit the car’s proportions well.

At the rear, changes are minimal, but tweaks to the LED light bar and bumper detailing add a bit more visual polish. The EV6 facelift in India is offered only in the sporty GT-Line trim, which means you get all the visual drama as standard.

Overall, it still turns heads, and crucially, it doesn’t look dated even next to newer EVs.

Kia offers the EV6 facelift in five colour options: Snow White Pearl, Runway Red, Wolf Grey, Aurora Black Pearl, and Yacht Blue Matt. My favourites are Wolf Grey and Runway Red, both of which give the EV6 a sporty appearance.

Interior (4 out of 5) 

Design & Quality

Step inside the EV6 facelift and things will feel familiar if you’ve seen the older car. The layout remains largely the same, but Kia has made a few smart updates to improve usability and perceived quality.

The biggest change is the steering wheel, which is now a more conventional three-spoke unit instead of the older two-spoke design. The dashboard gets updated textures, and the twin-screen setup now runs new software with a refreshed UI.

Material quality remains a strong point. Everything you touch feels solid, premium and well put together. The cabin design still feels futuristic without going overboard, and it easily matches German rivals in terms of finish.

The all-black interior looks sporty, though it does make the cabin feel a little darker than it needs to be. A lighter upholstery option would’ve helped improve the sense of space.

Front Seats

The front seats are one of the EV6’s biggest highlights. They’re firm but very supportive, making long drives comfortable. Both seats offer heating and ventilation, and the standout feature here is the zero-gravity mode.

When the car is stationary, you can fully recline the front seats to almost lounge-chair levels, perfect for charging breaks or quick power naps. It genuinely works as advertised and isn’t just a gimmick.

Driving position is spot on, with a wide range of adjustment for the seat and steering. Visibility is also good for a low-slung EV, and you never feel like you’re sitting too close to the floor.

Rear Seats

The EV6’s rear seat tells a slightly mixed story. Width-wise, it’s easily spacious enough for three adults, and knee and headroom are generous. The backrest can recline, which adds to comfort on longer journeys.

However, because the floor is high due to the battery pack, you end up sitting in a knees-up position. This affects under-thigh support, especially for taller passengers, and can get tiring over time.

There are no window blinds either, which is a miss at this price point, especially given the large glass area. Rear comfort is acceptable, but not class-leading.

Storage & Practicality

Practicality is decent, though not exceptional. You get a 490-litre boot, which is generous for an EV, but the load area is shallow. It’s fine for luggage, but bulky items may require a bit of planning.

There’s also a small 20-litre frunk up front, which can be used for charging cables or smaller items. Cabin storage spaces are well thought out, with ample room for phones, bottles and everyday essentials.

Overall, it works well for daily use, but rivals like the BMW iX1 LWB offer more outright practicality.

Charging Options

The Kia EV6 is well-equipped when it comes to in-cabin device charging. It gets a wireless phone charging pad up front, along with four USB Type-C ports, two for the front passengers and two for those seated at the rear. Charging speeds are quick, and the ports are placed conveniently, so everyone on board can keep their devices powered without fuss.

In addition to this, the EV6 also comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, which adds a layer of versatility. Using the 220V power socket, you can run or charge external devices such as laptops, cameras, small appliances or even camping equipment, turning the EV6 into a mobile power source when needed.

Overall, whether it’s keeping phones charged on daily drives or powering external gadgets on road trips, the EV6 offers a practical and well-rounded charging setup.

Features (4.5 out of 5)

With the facelift, the Kia EV6 continues to feel every bit as premium and tech-forward as it did before, if not more. Even the fundamentals are well covered, with features like keyless entry, wireless phone charging, a head-up display, ambient lighting, powered front seats, and dual-zone climate control all coming together to improve everyday usability rather than just padding the brochure. It’s the kind of feature set that consistently reminds you you’re sitting in a flagship electric offering from Kia.

The twin 12.3-inch HD displays remain the same in terms of size and layout as the earlier EV6, but crucially, the underlying hardware has been updated. This means the system now thankfully supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which makes a big difference in daily use. The screens themselves are crisp, responsive and logically laid out, and while the minimalist UI looks modern, it can feel a bit sparse visually. Another minor irritation is reflections under harsh sunlight, which occasionally affect readability on bright days. Still, once you get used to it, the system is intuitive and doesn’t demand a steep learning curve.

Audio quality continues to be a strong point. The 14-speaker Meridian sound system delivers a rich and immersive experience, with good bass depth and excellent clarity, whether you’re listening to music, podcasts or taking calls. It’s easily one of the better sound setups you’ll find in an EV at this price point.

Comfort-focused features further elevate the experience. The EV6 gets heated and ventilated front seats, along with a zero-gravity mode that allows the seats to recline fully when the car is stationary, making long charging stops far more relaxing. Practical tech additions like Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging add genuine versatility, allowing the EV6 to power external devices or even charge another electric vehicle if needed.

All things considered, the EV6 facelift continues to feel thoughtfully equipped and technologically up-to-date, reinforcing its position as one of the most feature-rich and well-rounded premium EVs you can buy in India today.

Safety is an area where the Kia EV6 continues to feel thoroughly sorted. It comes equipped with 8 airbags as standard, along with ABS with EBD, a 360-degree camera, and a comprehensive Level-2 ADAS suite.

Advanced driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and lane keep assist work smoothly in the real world and feel well-calibrated for Indian road conditions rather than being overly intrusive. Whether you’re cruising on the highway or navigating dense traffic, these systems operate predictably and inspire confidence.

While the EV6 facelift is yet to be tested by any NCAP body, and ative safety features make it feel secure. Overall, if safety ranks high on your priority list, the EV6 stands out as one of the more reassuring and well-equipped premium electric cars currently on sale in India.

The Kia EV6 offers a 520-litre boot, which offers more than enough space for your weekend road trips. It can easily swallow a small, medium and large trolley bag with enough room for some soft bags. In addition, the rear seats offer 60:40 split-folding functionality to create more room.

There is also a small 20-litre frunk under the hood, perfect for storing your charging cable.

The facelifted EV6 retains the same dual-motor AWD setup, but the new, larger 84kWh battery is the real headline here. It replaces the older 77.4kWh unit and is both more energy-dense and lighter.

Here’s a look at the specifications:

City Performance

In the city, the EV6 feels effortless. Throttle response is progressive, not aggressive, which makes it easy to drive in traffic. The single-pedal driving mode helps, though the regen isn’t strong enough to bring the car to a complete halt.

Efficiency in city driving works out to about 5.18 km/kWh, translating to a real-world range of roughly 430–440 km, depending on conditions.

Highway Performance

This is where the EV6 truly shines. Highway efficiency is impressive at 6.67 km/kWh, delivering a real-world range of nearly 560 km in ideal conditions. That’s remarkably close to the official figures and makes long-distance EV driving far less stressful.

Performance is strong, too. The EV6 hits 0–100 kmph in just over 5 seconds, and roll-on acceleration is brutal. Overtakes are dispatched effortlessly, even at triple-digit speeds.

The battery pack comes with fast charging capabilities, where it takes just 18 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent using a 350 kW fast charger.

Ride and Handling (4 out of 5)

Ride Quality

Despite riding on large 19-inch wheels, the EV6 delivers a comfortable ride. At lower speeds, it can feel slightly firm, but as speeds increase, the suspension settles nicely and absorbs imperfections well.

There are some vertical movements at higher speeds, but they’re well controlled. Overall, it strikes a good balance between comfort and control.

Handling

The EV6 feels planted and confidence-inspiring around corners. Grip levels are strong, and body control is impressive for a car of this size and weight.

The steering gains weight in Sport mode, but doesn’t offer a lot of feedback. That said, it’s accurate and predictable, making the EV6 easy to drive quickly without feeling intimidating.

In India, the Kia EV6 facelift is offered in just one fully loaded GT-Line AWD variant, but it’s a classic case of quality over quantity. Kia has opted for a no-nonsense approach here, bundling all the key features, performance hardware and safety tech into a single trim so buyers don’t have to worry about choosing between variants.

The Kia EV6 facelift builds on an already strong foundation. It looks sharper, goes farther on a single charge, and continues to offer one of the most complete premium EV experiences available in India today.

Yes, it’s expensive, especially given that it’s a CBU import, and rivals like the Ioniq 5 and BMW iX1 LWB undercut it on price. Rear seat comfort could also have been better.

But if you’re looking for a premium electric car that genuinely feels futuristic, delivers thrilling performance, and now offers excellent real-world range, the EV6 facelift is hard to ignore.

It may not wear a luxury badge, but in almost every way that matters, it delivers a premium experience.

Other Cars To Consider Instead Of Kia EV6

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Reasons to consider

• More comfortable rear seat

• Lower price

Reasons to ignore

• Not as sporty

• Feels less premium inside

BMW iX1 LWB

Reasons to consider

• More brand appeal

• Very spacious cabin

Reasons to ignore

• Shorter real-world range

• Not as exciting to drive

BYD Sealion 7

Reasons to consider

• Strong value proposition

• Good feature list

Reasons to ignore

• Brand perception

• Not as engaging dynamically