U.S.-spec 2023 Kia EV6: Everything you need to know [Update]

Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ section updated.

The 2023 Kia EV6 replaced the previous model that started reaching dealers in the U.S. in February 2022. The new model includes some minor changes and is now on sale in the U.S. Here’s everything we know about the first model year update for the EV6 in America.

Design

Compared to the MY2022, the 2023 Kia EV6 doesn’t carry any exterior changes, so its design is just as attention-grabbing, combining the best of a coupe and SUV. As the first vehicle to use Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, it brings together a coupe’s boldness and dynamism with the striking and athletic appearance of an SUV to form a swanky crossover.

Front

At the front, the 2023 Kia EV6 features a low-set sloping hood with the new Kia logo and boomerang-shaped headlamps that have pixel-inspired daytime running lights inspired with ‘moving light pattern.’ The angled windshield glass is one of the many aerodynamics-focused design elements of the electric crossover.

Side

An interesting detail is the DRLs of the headlamps which converge at the top of flared wheel arches. A shiny twin strip in the lower body runs almost parallel to the swiftly sloping beltline that has a kick at the C-pillar, and it’s a nice touch over the black rocker panels. The roofline drops in a way that headroom for the rear-seat passengers wouldn’t be compromised much. The flush door handles provide a neat touch to the futuristic crossover. 19- and 20-inch are the available alloy wheel size options in the U.S. market.

Rear

At the rear, the 2023 Kia EV6 has a dramatically inclined windscreen that makes the silhouette reminiscent of the Jaguar I-Pace. The concave shape of the smooth, uncluttered lower tailgate, which bears the new Kia logo in the center, complements the sportier styling created by that steeply raked glass. The lights are thin C-shaped units connected via a narrow light strip running across the width. A slim satin strip also connects the rear lights at the bottom, underscoring the electric crossover’s elegance.

Features

Like the exterior of the 2023 Kia EV6, the interior is a carryover from the previous model. However, there are a few changes with respect to the features. Kia has discontinued the base ‘Light’ trim of the EV6 with the MY2023 update. Wind and GT-Line options are still available.

The features list of the 2023 EV6 shows that Kia has introduced console lid garnish as a new standard feature for the GT-Line trim. Also new in the 2023 model are carpeted floor mats, optionally available in all three trims. The second-row heated outboard seats option, which is exclusive to the GT-Line trim in the previous model, is available even in the Wind trim.

Unlike in the previous model, the Wind trim doesn’t feature 2-way power lumbar support. Kia could’ve discontinued this feature because of a parts shortage or to reduce the production cost. We observe that Lead Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), a standard feature of the previous model, is also missing in the 2023 EV6 features list.

AVN

A 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system are put together to create what looks like a seamless and wide single display. The central display is slightly tilted towards the driver to make viewing and accessing easy. The chic-style black and white two-spoke steering and the garnish on the floor console are among the several fashionable touches inside the cabin.

The screens of the EV6 are blue light-filtered to reduce strain on the eyes and fatigue. Kia has equipped the EV6 with an augmented reality head-up display as well, which can project speed and ADAS alerts, lane guidance, vehicle information, and navigation directions. A Merdian sound system featuring 14 speakers with a titanium dome and Intelli Q speed-sensing (adaptive) volume adjustment is another interior highlight.

With Kia Connect (formerly known as UVO), EV6 customers can enjoy many connected vehicle functions, including but not limited to smart speaker integration (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled smart speaker), vehicle notifications on paired Apple/Android smartwatch, and stolen vehicle recovery.

Safety & Autonomous Driving

There are only two changes in the safety aspect that we’ve seen in the 2023 Kia EV6 features list. There’s no mention of Lead Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA), which was standard in the previous model.

On the plus side, Kia offers the 2023 EV6 with a new safety feature – Parking Collision Avoidance – Reverse (PCA-R). In the case of other models where PCA-R is provided, the system complements Parking Distance Warning – Rear (PDW-R). If there is a risk of collision with a rear object when reversing, PCA-R provides a warning. If the risk of collision increases after the warning, it automatically applies the brakes and stops the vehicle.

Below are the various standard Advanced Driver Assistance Safety Systems of the 2023 EV6:

• Blind Spot Collision Avoidance (BCA)
• Lane Keep Assist System (LKA)
• Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
• Lane Following Assist System (LFAS)
• Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with car/pedestrian/cyclist detection and junction turning detection
• High Beam Assist (HBA)
• Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control – Curve with Stop and Go (NSCC-C)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance (RCTA)

Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control Ramp (NSCC-R), Auto Evasive Steering Assist, Surround View Monitor (360-degree camera system), Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM), Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) with auto lane-changing function, and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) are some of the optionally available safety features of the American EV6.

HDA 2

The Kia EV6 features autonomous driving capability. Highway Driving Assist 2 is an evolution of the Highway Driving Assist (HDA), which provides the comfort of hands-free, autonomous driving on highways. Using information from the navigation system, HDA determines whether the vehicle is on a highway. If it is, it takes over the functions of controlling the steering, acceleration, and deceleration.

HDA 2 uses radars located around the EV6 and helps the driver maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead. Above a certain speed, the driver can change the lane with just a click of the indicator stalk. Drivers would need to have their hands on the steering wheel, though.

RSPA

Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) is another noteworthy driving assistance system the EV6 offers in this aspect. The driver can allocate the task of parking to the vehicle with this system in both perpendicular and parallel parking situations.

RSPA doesn’t require the driver to be in the vehicle. The system can understand the vehicle’s surroundings using surround-view cameras and ultrasonic sensors and decide the right parking spot for itself. Accelerating, braking, reverse, and steering are automatic.

Specifications

Dimensions

The 2023 Kia EV6 has the same dimensions as the previous model year. Thanks to a wheelbase measuring 114.2 inches, which is equivalent to that of the Telluride, the EV6 offers 103.0 cu. ft. of passenger room. Kia says that the width is comparable to that of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which is a mid-size SUV, and that its wheelbase and ground clearance are similar to those of the Tesla Model Y.

The Kia EV6 offers 27.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which drivers can increase to 53.5 cubic feet liters by folding down the second-row seats. Moreover, there’s also a front trunk or a frunk with an additional storage space of 20 liters (0.7 cubic feet) in both RWD and AWD configurations of the North American model.

Dimension	Measurement
Length	184.3 in. (Wind)/184.8 in. (GT-Line)
Width	74.0 in. (Wind)/74.4 in. (GT-Line)
Height	60.8 in.
Wheelbase	114.2 in.
Ground Clearance	6.1 in.
Luggage Capacity (Rear Seats Upright/Rear Seats Folded)	24.4 cu. ft./50.2 cu. ft.
Passenger Volume	103.0 cu. ft.

Performance & Range

With the discontinuation of the Light trim level, the EV6 is no longer available in the base power electric configuration (Standard Range RWD) that had a 58 kWh battery pack and a 125 kW (167 hp)/258 lb.-ft. rear motor and delivered an EPA-est. range of 232 miles. The mid-level and top-end configurations have continued through the 2023 model year.

The mid-level power electric configuration (Long Range RWD) continues with the 77.4 kWh battery pack and a 225 hp/258 lb.-ft. rear motor. Similarly, the top-end power electric configuration (Long Range AWD) still has the 77.4 kWh battery pack and two motors generating 320 hp and 446 lb.-ft. of torque.

The EV6 GT-Line LR AWD’s range has dropped by 8% (22 miles) to 252 miles with the MY2023 update. Meanwhile, the EV6 Wind LR AWD’s range has increased by 8 miles to 282 miles.

Configuration	2023 EV6 Range	2022 EV6 Range	Difference
Wind LR RWD	310 miles	310 miles	–
Wind LR AWD	282 miles	274 miles	+8 miles
GT-Line LR RWD	310 miles	310 miles	–
GT-Line LR AWD	252 miles	274 miles	-22 miles

Charging

In long-range EVs, 0-80% and 0-100% charging times often become the deciding factors during purchase than acceleration time or the top speed. The 2023 Kia EV6 offers Porsche Taycan standards of charging parameters, which make charging close to refueling experience, something that’s expected to bring the much-awaited breakout in the EV market.

The multi-charging system of the Kia EV6 supports 400V and 800V DC charging, which works on DC chargers with charging rates as low as 50 kW and as high as 240 kW. 10-80% rapid-charging or ultra-fast-charging takes 18 minutes.

Aspect	EV6 Long Range RWD	EV6 Long Range AWD
Battery Pack Capacity	77.4 kWh	77.4 kWh
Drivetrain Layout	RWD	AWD
Power	168 kW (225 hp)	239 kW (320 hp)
Torque	258 lb.-ft.	446 lb.-ft.
Range (EPA est.)	310 miles	282 miles (Wind)/252 miles (GT-Line)
Max. Charging Power (AC/DC)	10.9 kW/240 kW	10.9 kW/240 kW
AC Normal Charge Time (100% at 120V w/ In Cable Control Box)	68h	68h
AC Normal Charge (100% at 11 kW EVSE)	7h 10m	7h 10m
DC Fast Charge (80% at 50kW EVSE)	73 minutes	73 minutes
DC Fast Charge (80% at 350 kW EVSE)	18 minutes	18 minutes
0-60 mph Acceleration	7.2 seconds	5.1 seconds
Top Speed	115 mph	117 mph
Towing Capacity	2,300 lbs. (braked)	2,300 lbs. (braked)

Price & Release Date

Prices of the 2023 Kia EV6 have gone up by USD 200 since its announcement on November 9, 2022. Following the price hike, the range starts at USD 48,700. The destination fee has also gone up, by USD 30, to USD 1,325.

The 2023 Kia EV6 has begun arriving at U.S. dealerships. We’ve seen it stock at East Petersburg, Pennsylvania-based Lancaster Kia, Fair Lawn, New Jersey-based Jack Daniels Kia, Gaithersburg, Maryland-based King Kia, and many other outlets through online listings. Customers who seek performance now have the option of the 2023 Kia EV6 GT, which has started arriving at U.S. retailers, too.

Configuration	2023 Kia EV6 Price
Wind Long Range RWD	USD 48,700
Wind Long Range AWD	USD 52,600
GT-Line Long Range RWD	USD 52,900
GT-Line Long Range AWD	USD 57,600

The Kia EV6 saw sales of 20,498 units in the U.S. in 2022 and it kicked off 2023 recording 1,110 units. We’re hoping availability will improve in 2023 as component shortages reduce and production normalizes gradually.

TopElectricSUV says

The EV6 is one of the most appealing electric crossovers in the U.S., offering phenomenal performance, a decent driving range, and plenty of premium comfort, convenience, and safety equipment. There’s no denying that it’s not accessible like a typical Kia, but it’s not an ordinary Kia either. The significant increase in the base price and the reduction in the top-end configuration (GT-Line AWD)’s range with the MY2023 update could disappoint many customers. However, overall, the EV6 should remain a highly recommendable product in the compact EV segment.

Kia EV6 FAQs

Featured Image Source: Kia