Kia has been working on the mid-life update of the EV6 for some time, and it unveiled it just in time to mark the model's third anniversary. Besides the redesigned front fascia, the facelifted EV6 boasts a bigger battery, the latest infotainment system, and a more refined drive train.
Kia has just unveiled the facelifted EV6 in Korea, sporting a redesigned front fascia that aligns with the brand's newer electric models like the EV9. The change is striking thanks to the new light signature of the angular LED headlamps. Kia names this "Star Map Signature Lighting" if Google Translate gets it right. The front bumper and the lower grille area have also been redesigned, resulting in a sharper look and a more futuristic appearance.
Kia left the rest of the EV6's exterior largely unchanged, although it added some finishing touches with new wheel designs and subtle changes at the rear. The lower part of the rear bumper received a wing-shaped design similar to that of the front bumper. The GT-Line model features a differentiated exterior design, which includes sportier front and rear bumpers and a front light bar connecting the headlights.
The cabin doesn't look very different, with the most obvious change being the new steering wheel. However, the curved panoramic screen housing the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment display has been upgraded. The next-generation information system, dubbed connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), also has features like fingerprint authentication, Digital Key 2, a redesigned wireless charging pad, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Most importantly, the Kia EV6 now supports over-the-air updates for major electronic control systems besides the navigation maps. This will allow Kia to improve the EV6's behavior and efficiency over time, similar to Tesla's. The current update has also introduced streaming services and a natural language voice command system. The latest driver assistance systems ensure safe driving and convenient automated parking.
As we've seen with its cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 now has a bigger battery pack, at 84 kWh instead of 77.4 kWh of the old model. Kia says rear-wheel drive models with 19-inch wheels can go as far as 494 km (307 miles) in Korea, up from the 475 km (295 miles) of the outgoing EV6. Range and sales details for other markets, including the US, have not been announced yet. The facelifted Kia EV6 is expected to support 350 kW DC charging and charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes.
No spec changes have been made to the electric drive train, with the RWD models developing 225 horsepower while the dual-motor AWD variants pack 320 horsepower. However, Kia has tweaked the characteristics of the EV6's frequency-selective dampers, resulting in better ride comfort. The electric motors are now quieter, and additional sound insulation in the rear area improves cabin comfort. Passive safety has been enhanced thanks to reinforced B-pillars and second-row side airbags.
After his childhood dream of becoming a "tractor operator" didn't pan out, Cristian turned to journalism, first in print and later moving to online media. His top interests are electric vehicles and new energy solutions. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News