My wife and I need to get another car and after test driving a few different EV vehicles we are thinking about getting the Kia EV6. Anyone have one that they love / hate? Anything we should know? This would be our first electric vehicle.
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Day-to-day, it’s very nice. Charging at CCS chargers is very fast (though charging at Tesla is slower than some, 98kw). If you’re not in a warm climate, be sure you get one with battery preconditioning (in '22, that meant getting an AWD model).
The GT (and I think GT-Line?) has a low ceiling due to the sunroof… we got the Wind+options due to tall family members.
The interior and exterior 120v outlets are really nice: I powered a freezer, fridge, window A/C unit and internet from it during an all-day power outage.
We are looking for the wind line for the extra capacity and they are cheaper. I’m tall but my wife is short so the height issue would just be for me.
I forgot about exterior 120 v outlets. That has some nice uses
Have you tried the Ioniq 5? Only because I was in the same boat and ended up choosing between the EV6 and Ioniq 5. I ended up leasing the Ioniq 5
I test drove both today. I also did the ioniq 9 and EV9. The ioniq 5 is our second favorite. What swayed you?
I drive an Ioniq 6 that I got used as well and really like it. Also same engine etc. as in the EV 6, but has a higher efficiency. Thus, you’ll have lower charging costs and can drive further distances per charge / less stops on longer trips.
I also had the ICCU issue that was mentioned here, but got it replaced without much trouble or wait time. Can’t judge though if it’s a permanent fix or if the inherent issue remains.
Same on all counts. They paid for the tow and the repair.
They did leave my 12v battery completely drained for a week in winter though, and then wouldn’t replace it. So I expect that battery won’t make it the normal 7 years before it needs to be replaced.
Have an EV6, love it, AMA. Only thing I don’t like is the stupid handles. They’re dumb. Really dumb.
I have had 1 issue with it not caused by outside forces, and that was the ICCU recall which Kia replaced on their own dime.
Battery has held up over the last few years, no sign of early aging. It charges fast and handles well.
If you have your choice of model years know that in the US they swapped from CCS to NACS (Tesla) charging standards recently so check what charging infrastructure is available near you. Good UL Listed adapters that won’t start a fire are a couple hundred bucks, so weigh that against upgrade costs.
In the US, Tesla superchargers are more abundant on long drives but charge a little slower than Electrify America or similar CCS chargers.
If I were to buy again I’d probably stick with it but damn it would be tempting to get something where I dont have to constantly re-explain the handles to every person who rides in it. That may be a dealbreaker on its replacement.
I thought the handles were fine but I can see them getting really annoying. I have heard of the ICCU problem which I need to ask about when buying used.
I know the charger has changed so I’ll have to get a better adaptor. I am thinking of getting a level 2 charger in my garage but I am a little hesitant about getting a CCS port
I drive an EV6 GT latest model in the EU. Such a great car, has touch knobs for all the important stuff like vents and airco which are easy to use. The software in the car is fine, and does its job, but i mainly use wireless apple carplay (in GT line only). With HDA it comes to a complete stop and accelerates when the car in front drives up, i hardly use the pedals in highway driving, it has auto lane change and the weel has hands on detection, so resting 1 finger on the wheel is enough to have no warnings coming up. Camera (front and back) are great and parking is a breeze, even in dark conditions
Seats are comfortable in GT line all are motorized configurable as is the steering wheel, lots of space in front and back, backseats angle can be changed individually. With 84kw battery the range is fine, around 500kms more or less, fast charge goes from 20-80 in 18 min.
Other big feature is the app/digital key, i never wear the big clunky key. I open the car by just standing next to it with my Apple Watch. Remote app on phone can enable almost everything except the trunk, but heating car, seats (front and back) and wheel is nice on cold days. Also sharing the digital key is easy if someone needs to drive the car, just send them a message.
Maybe only cons: trunk is not that spacious and sits quite high (no depth downwards). My 12v battery died after 2k ish kms, but that was a faulty one as the garage said, no issues after the replacement, i have 26k done now.
Compared to other cars like BMW for example, it is such a bang for buck looking at options vs price. The features of KIA (and Honda, Korean made) are massive, and they work, while others you still get mediocre things.
Lemme know if you want some more info
I loved the knobs for everything because I hate using that touch screen while driving. It seems like the best bang for your buck
What country? Used or new?
I live in the USA in the upper Midwest. We are looking for used car. With an EV we’re thinking just a few years used from a dealer
Currently driving a Hyundai Kona EV, which is the same platform as the Kia Niro EV. If I were looking around for a new car right now, the EV6 would be one of the first I’d take for a test drive.
Give the Ioniq 5 a test drive as well, if you haven’t already. It’s the same platform as the EV6 and you might like the ride better.
I tried both. I liked the EV 6 the best. Well second best behind the VW Buzz but that’s twice the price
Buy one 3 years old, they devalue by half in 36 months.
Good to know. I found they were one of the cheapest EVs and had all of the bells and whistles.
I’ve only test driven the EV3 but I assume some things may be similar.
If it has the same camera the EV3 has sitting beyond the wheel constantly filming the driver’s face, that’d be a big no from me.
The EV3 also immediately started to play obnoxious alerts as soon as I looked at the displays for even a second (so I was basically not allowed to check my route, my speed or anything else).
I didn’t have anything like that when test driving. But we will have to see when we try again
Nephew has one. Both he and his wife love it and would buy it again. Check those insurance rates though.
Do Kias have a higher rate? Or EV cars?
When I looked at used car insurance rates recently, EV rates were significantly higher for cars of similar selling prices. That may just be due to the fact the initial sticker price is substantially more for an EV than it is for a similar gas vehicle.
Not sure where you get that idea.
EV insurance is higher because Teslas cause more crashes than any other brand. EVs are full of distractions.
“I get that idea” by getting quotes directly from my insurer on various EV’s models that don’t include Teslas. Where do you get the idea that Tesla crash statistics define the insurance cost for every EV on the market?
I think without paying for gas I am sure the EV is cheaper still overall. Especially the way prices are going
Probably so, but it’s better to be aware of the costs up front so you can take everything into account when making a purchase decision.
Good to know. Thank you
