Update: ‘Interior’ and ‘TopElectricSUV says’ sections revised.
The Kia EV6, revealed in March 2021, was the company’s inaugural launch on the E-GMP platform. Going by recent spy media from S.Korea, the company is conducting road tests of an improved version, which will carry design changes, and is expected to hit dealers next year. Here’s what we know, and expect from the new EV6, which is likely to be released in the U.S. as the 2025 Kia EV6.
Design
While the EV6’s design has been well-received globally, recent sightings of camouflaged prototypes in South Korea suggest big changes, particularly in the front end of the vehicle. The new EV6 features a revised front bumper and headlamps, inspired by the look of the EV3 and EV4 concepts. The headlamp features vertically integrated projector lenses, flanked by a V-Shaped daytime running light, as depicted in our rendering. Furthermore, we’re expecting Kia designers to offer new wheels and perhaps additional body color choices.
Interior
Inside, the updated EV6 is expected to follow in the footsteps of its younger siblings, the EV9 and EV5, in terms of design and technology. A major anticipated change is the replacement of the rotary knob gear selector with a column-mounted shifter, which should offer a cleaner look and added storage space between the front seats.
The infotainment system may also see an upgrade to the rectangular Triple Panorama Display, mirroring the setup in the EV9 and EV5. This includes a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, complemented by an additional 5-inch touch display. Notably, the new system is expected to support wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Specifications
We’re expecting the new EV6 to gain in both performance and efficiency in future updates. In the U.S., the existing model is offered with two battery choices, providing a range of up to 310 miles. The larger 77.4 kWh battery could be replaced by the new fourth-gen 84 kWh battery that debuted in the Ioniq 5 N. Offering a 8.4 percent improvement in energy density, thanks to new materials and optimized cell design, it could increase the range of the EV6 to well over 325 miles. The fourth-gen battery is also expected to make it to future versions of the EV6 GT.
Price & Release Date
We’re anticipating the new Kia EV6 to hit the U.S. market as a 2025 model in the second half of next year. As for pricing, we expect the refresh to start slightly above the current model’s base price of around $42,600. With its arrival, the EV6 will challenge familiar rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, and Toyota bZ4X.
TopElectricSUV says
The Hyundai Motor Group is moving quickly with its EV launches, refreshing and replacing models ahead of the usual lifecycles. As the EV6 operates in the competitive mid-size SUV market, where nearly every major manufacturer is already involved or planning to enter, these enhancements are crucial. The upgraded looks and dashboard would align the EV6 with newer models Kia’s EV line-up, ensuring that it stays fresh and relevant.
An automobile engineer by qualification, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005 and reviewed electric vehicles since 2008. In my 15 years in the online automotive publishing, I’ve edited around 35,000 articles.