First Look Review: 2025 Kia EV6 gets updates, premium touches & U.S. production

I had a chance to experience the Kia EV6 facelift in France last year, which has just been announced for the U.S. market for model year 2025. Importantly, the EV6 is Kia’s second EV to be assembled locally. Here are my observations of the refreshed EV6 and everything that’s new on the 2025 model year.

Design

The 2025 Kia EV6 introduces a more assertive design with sharper lines, reshaped bumpers, and new lighting elements. The updated front features Kia’s ‘Star Map’ LED headlights and a more angular bumper, while the rear adds a three-dimensional taillight signature and a wing-shaped lower bumper.

These design updates, especially the wide-appearing taillamps, build the impression of a broader, sportier stance. Each trim gets its own bumper design, and wheel sizes now range from 19 to 21 inches with fresh styling. Pop-out flush door handles now come standard.

Interior

Inside, the EV6 becomes quieter, classier, and more comfortable. Kia has added sound-absorbing materials to reduce cabin noise. The redesigned center console moves away from gloss black to a textured finish and introduces an improved wireless charging pad with better grip. A new steering wheel, now D-shaped, is easier to hold. The tilt and telescopic adjustment is now electric, and the steering system uses a belt-type mechanism for better feedback. Hands-on detection helps monitor driver attention.

New Infotainment System & Streaming

The dashboard hosts a curved 12.3-inch dual-display system integrating the cluster and infotainment unit. Running on Kia’s new ccNC software, the system now offers faster processing, a refreshed interface, and OTA updates. New personalization features allow users to set themes like NBA team graphics. Built-in video streaming enhances in-car entertainment for longer trips.

Digital Key 2.0

Kia now includes Digital Key 2.0, supporting both smartphones and NFC-enabled cards. Owners can lock, unlock, and drive the EV6 without physically touching their phone. Keys can also be shared digitally via text, improving convenience for homes with multiple drivers.

Improved Parking & Driving Assistance

The updated EV6 includes Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, helping maneuverability in tight spots. Forward, side, and reverse collision avoidance functions add more safety. Highway Driving Assist now supports assisted lane changes under specific conditions.

Specifications

Kia replaces the 58 kWh battery with a new 63 kWh pack, with a Kia-estimated 237 miles of range, which is an improvement of 5 miles. The long-range trims now use an 84 kWh battery, and deliver up to 319 miles in the RWD variants, up by 9 miles over the previous model; and up to 295 miles on the AWD variants, up by 13 miles. The 2025 GT-Line variant, shown in this article, gets 270 miles in the AWD variant, which is up by 18 miles from MY2024 GT-Line.

Power remains unchanged: 167 hp in Light, 225 hp in long-range RWD trims, and 320 hp in dual-motor AWD models, and the torque figures continue at 258 lb.ft. for the RWD, and at 446 lb.ft. for the AWD models. Towing capacity rises to 2,700 lbs, with automatic trailer detection adjusting range estimates.

NACS Charging

Kia moves the charging port to the left rear fender on most trims, now supporting the North American Charging Standard (NACS), giving EV6 drivers access to Tesla Superchargers. The maximum DC fast-charging input power is 240 kW. The EV6 takes about 20 minutes (about 2 minutes longer than MY2024) to go from 10-80% SoC at the 350 kW fast charger, whereas the onboard 11 kW charger takes 7 hours and 20 minutes to go from 10-100% SoC (10 minutes slower than MY2024).

Price & Release Date

Prices (MSRP) for the 2025 EV6 range from $42,900 (Light) to $58,900 (GT-Line AWD), excluding a $1,475 destination charge. For the first time, the EV6 is assembled at Kia’s West Point, Georgia, plant, potentially qualifying for a federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500.