2026 Kia EV6 review

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The updated Kia EV6 is finally here, and its 2024 reveal now feels like a lifetime ago.

The 84kWh lithium-ion battery is headinglining the changes for the large electric SUV, replacing the old 77. WLTP driving range from 528km to 582km in the base rear-wheel drive Air, with 4kWh unit which increases claimed power consumption (WLP)? Previously, it can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent with an ultra-fast DC charger of 350kW in about 18 minutes.

It has been tuned to its shock absorbers, more sound deadening around the rear-view mirror and body rigidity have been increased by thickenling the B-pillars of its own resonant. Second row also features side airbags.

It has a new steering wheel, redesigned centre console and new software for its infotainment system and instrument displays inside. Furthermore, every version of the model has a new fingerprint authenticator as standard, and redesigned wireless charging pad that better holds your phone in place.

A major change has been made outside, as the front-end of the EV6 was designed to visually match the rest of Kia’s catalogue – it was the brand’t first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) when it launched in 2022 and started looking out of place.

Printed with the same sound as all that sounds good, but whether it will resonate with buyers remains to be seen. But the EV6 calculated up to 201 sales in the first four months of 2025, so that will be a benchmark as the facelifted model settles in over the next few months.

It’s a 2026 Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD on test here. How does it compare to the one that was updated?

How much does the Kia EV6 cost?

The GT-Line RWD is the second-cheapest variant in the EV6 lineup, priced at $79,660 before on-road costs.

| Model | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| 2026 Kia EV6 Air RWD | $72,660 |
| 2026 Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD | $79,660 |
| 2026 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD | $87,660 |
| 2026 Kia EV6 GT AWD | $99,660 |

All grades are more expensive than their pre-facelift counterparts, albeit by a nearly imperceptible $70.

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The EV6 competes in Australia’s large SUV segment, in which it has just a few close electric rivals. One is the Lexus RZ, which itself was just updated and now costs between $84,500 and $105,000 before on-roads, while another is the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which costs between $65,990 and $98,490 before on-roads.

You might also consider the new wagon-like Subaru Trailseeker, priced at either $67,990 or $73,990 before on-road costs, or its Toyota bZ4X Touring twin, which is slightly cheaper like-for-like.

Additionally, the MG IM6 tops out at $80,990 drive-away, and it’s important to consider the related Hyundai Ioniq 5, which costs between $76,200 and $115,000 before on-roads.

To see how the Kia EV6 stacks up against the competition, use our
comparison tool

What is the Kia EV6 like on the inside?

As with the rest of this facelift, a series of subtle tweaks has been applied to the cabin of the EV6’s cabin that leads to big changes when it comes to actually living with its car.

Most obvious changes are the infotainment/instrument displays and the steering wheel. Previously, the infotainment system and instrument cluster are located on 12 in addition to the Infotanment. It has been squared off and now looks a bit less in-your-face, but 3-inch screens that have the same curved housing are still similar.

The screen on the left now runs Kia’s latest ccNC (Connected Car Navigation Cockpit) infotainment system, which looks far more slick than it replaces with its setup. It is standard wireless Apple CarPlay (and Android Auto), and over-the-air software updates are also available – useful to keep the in-built sat-nav current.

This is sharp, no input lag and better aligned with the rest of Kia’s modern systems. This is the case with instrument cluster, which has arguably received more visual upgrade than the new infotainment setup.

It didn’t go well, its graphics/theme looked dated so we’re glad to see it replaced with a simple clean look and – in some ways understated elegance. Certainly, it’s straight from the Kia parts bin (though what is not in visual character) and that makes up for with much more integrated integration.

Both screens are clearly legible and easy to navigate, as they’re the latest Kia tech. In the infotainment system, there are several pages with large shortcut cards for the car’s various apps and features.

The instrument cluster, meanwhile, is navigated by buttons on the steering wheel and displays various vehicle information across multiple menus. Unlike s, it never feels particularly intimidating and we like its theme changes depending on the drive mode. All of it’s all very well-thought.

As for the steering wheel, it retains much of the same functionality as before, but looks far better than the subjectively drab unit it replaces. It’s fairly chunky, and while it’s also found in several other Kia models (K4, EV4, and Stonic, to name a few), it’s a good fit for the EV6’s character.

The fact that this three-spoke wheel only exists in GT-Line variants (and the GT, but with more green), is a reference to how it’s fitted just to higher-spec versions of those other Kias. Rather, the base Air receives a two-spoke variant of instead.

The GT-Line also has its own black-and-white upholstery, which is another feature of its unique . I don’t see white accents on the seats, centre console and steering wheel of any car but they make a nice point here.

They don’t at all feel like Kia is trying to inject some artificial luxury into the EV6, either. Kia’s GT-Line additions are mature, and still help the EV6 stand out from the crowd unlike the somewhat childish N-inspired bits that Hyundai bolts onto the related Ioniq 5 N Line.

Similarly, the seats are very comfortable and look the part with their suede-like upholstery and white trim. It has a lot of power adjustment, plus heating and ventilation; they’re more about comfort on the day while still providing sports cornering support. But again, they fit the car perfectly.

This is a cohesive cabin with decidedly premium premium, the result of all of this. It’s also helped by the fact that while the EV6 cabin is well-equipped but still feels like a cockpit from behind the wheel – its proportions make it look like an SUV much more than.

Despite the move, it has been replaced with an over-sized floating centre console that looks like its size and placements are tied to the bottom of the climate system. This console is high and so comfortable to lean on, there’s a lot of poke and prod; it looks stylish but purposeful.

It’s a pretty common Kian unit on the issue of that climate system. While we don’t think it’s a touchscreen, the way we appreciate is that it can be turned into an array of InfoTeachment hotkey at the touch of one button – this clever feature already has been used on cars like Sportage. Clever (but a bit fiddly fiddle-headed) but still somewhat ClEVER?

Similarly to Ioniq 5 in the related console, you’ll notice that under the floating centre console there is a large storage tray. But here’s the difference It doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of empty under the dashboard, and it is an ‘angular EV6-specific dashboard that makes the car fuller.

The central charging ports (USB-C and 12V) are still miles away, unreachable while driving but they remain unconnected. Despite that, at least there’s an attractive wireless phone charging pad on the centre console as an alternative to that and a new fingerprint scanner for driver recognition.

There is a good storage up front, with two central cupholders, ‘an reasonably large box under the middle armrest and that big tray we mentioned earlier in our explanation. The front doors also have bottle holders, and a normal passenger-side glovebox.

The second row of the EV6 is extremely wide, with s. But the real highlight is legroom, with acres of space between the rear seats and front seatbacks (any height) that occupants are tall. comparatively low, only slopes behind the passenger compartment mean headroom is pretty good.’ The fact the roofline and relatively low.

It’s well-cushioned and the fake suede is applied to the rear bench seat as it does up front, with a treatment known as the ‘fake sueding’ of the back bench. It is a nice place to spend time in this second row because of the soft armrest at the middle and ‘large sunroof over top’, which has been said by this all.

They are also the plastic front seatbacks – which is only real sub-par material back here where you’ll get USB-C ports and map pockets. They also have air vents but not on the back of the centre console – they are B-pillars instead, although no third climate zone is present.

But boot space is the only real compromise from the EV6’s low-ish roofline, and even then it’t really cramped. It is less than the Lexus RZ’s 522L and the Mustang Mach-E’S 519L, but Sure has a 480 litres of seats-up capacity that is smaller than its counterpart insure (although both cars are larger)

Its cargo hold is smaller than the caveat to that of the EV6’s, but slightly smaller on the outside with an Ioniq 5’ and its small weight. This aggressively slopped roofline also threatens vertical space, but there is plenty of space below the cargo cover because it’s large square floor.

As the GT-Line tester had a hands-free power tailgate, we also tested it and our boot was very practical during our loan. The EVs are usually s, but there is no spare wheel under the floor – you’ll have to do with an Tyre repair kit.

However, it’s a nicer and generously distributed under-bonnet storage box than the one provided by its Ioniq 5 platform-mate.

| Dimensions | Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD |
| — | — |
| Length | 4695mm |
| Width | 1890mm |
| Height | 1550mm |
| Wheelbase | 2900mm |
| Cargo capacity (VDA) | 480L (rear seats up) 1250L (rear seats folded) 52L (under-bonnet storage) |

To see how the Kia EV6 stacks up against the competition, use our
comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

This is a single rear-mounted electric motor with 168kW and 350Nm of power that powers the rear drive EV6 GT-Line. The battery is 84kWh lithium-ion, which has been charged by a new, more energy-dense version of its power source (up from 77kWh). Earlier, 4kWh had been used as s.

| Specifications | Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD |
| — | — |
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric |
| Battery | 84kWh li-ion |
| Peak power | 168kW |
| Peak torque | 350Nm |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive |
| Tare mass | 2065kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.7 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 16.9kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | 17.2kWh/100km |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 560km |
| Max AC charge rate | 10.5kW |
| Max DC charge rate | 350kW (10-80% 18min) |

The highway commuter was our week with the car, but even some more energy-intensive high speed cruising didn’t push all that high energy consumption.

To see how the Kia EV6 stacks up against the competition, use our
comparison tool

How does the Kia EV6 drive?

In our EV6 GT-Line we said it felt ‘mature’ inside and (perhaps in part by coincidence) that’s also how we describe the driving experience.

I drove immediately before the EV6, which is one of the most direct rivals among this eve’s closest competitors, an Ioniq 5, and it was a handy back-to-back comparison. But even better, both cars I drove were in their ‘sports lite’ trims the Ioniq 5 N Line and this EV6 GT-Line.

It is hands-down the EV I’d rather live with, and there are many reasons why. But perhaps the most important is – the easiest part of this equation – being driven, as it feels great from behind the wheel.

You can put the driver’s seat lower than you would think in an EV, and when you add that with the car’d low-slung roofline, you could nearly be convinced to drive a slightly lifted wagon rather than something considered an SUV. It’s so sporty and sharp, even without anything overtly trying to convince you that it’d be sportily sportsy.

The EV6 is described as “sylft and quietly confident” in its capabilities, which really overstates the boy-racer nature of the Ioniq 5 N Line with its generous but somewhat misplaced N branding.

And, we don’t compare the EV6 is more than just an example of how to stand up for itself. It is one of the best versions of Kia’s new EV, mostly because its power output is sensible but still fun and lighter than its AWD equivalent (by some 100kg) since there has no front motor.

That’s not all that lardy (even if it’s still two-tonne car) even though it isn’t just the same thing as . It’s a little bit flat on its feet, with very good body control, but its only electric motor has no problem moving when you lay into the throttle. In other EVs, acceleration is nowhere near as brutal as it can be in Mind you, Acceleration.

The throttle response is on the docile side in ‘Normal’ mode, where power builds slowly to stop you spinning the rear wheels or giving your passengers whiplash. This is the most noticeable when you are accelerating from an standstill, as planting the throttle when your’re already rolling does indeed give instant EV torque.

Switching to Sport mode (by pressing the button at the bottom of the steering wheel) ensures instant power is always on tap. The car feels much more alive as a result, and it’s possible you’ll notice more rear-end movement – it’s not nearly as leery as a Mustang, but it isn’t a complete square either.

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Nevertheless it should be an appropriate amount for this application to use 168kW of power. It may sound like much on paper, but it’s important to remember that because this is an EV the near-instant application of its 350Nm torque peak always makes it feel nice and zippy on the road.

When it’s time for an overtake, its speed is steady and it can always push you back into your seat when a picks up speed. Combined that with strong brakes, either the well-calibrated pedal or multi-strength regenerative system (including a good one-pedal function), and you have an EV which is pleasure to drive.

EV6 also makes it so easy to feel at ease once you’re on the move. While there may be a learning curve with the screen-heavy interior, it is not necessarily an on-road behaviour of the EV6 that feels like ‘cars rather than.

its steering is similarly well-positioned as it does for s. logical, is ‘Normal’ mode weighting it means that it feels substantial without making the steering wheel a chore to throw around. It is heavier than sport mode, but does not feel artificial or numb.

In addition to this, the handling of the EV6 is confident and predictable. The GT-Line doesn’t require an adaptive damping configuration for its GT; however, it does not need the GT – body roll is well handled and some fun darting down a bendy mountain road can be done.

Sports-oriented suspension setup doesn’t reduce ride quality, either. The is a reasonably reliable source of daily driving, and does not suffer fromsoaking up expansion joints on the freeway or tram tracks in the city’s metro system. It is not too sexy, by no means it has left me with a sore back but never did.

cabin refinement, on top of all that we. A surprisingly good muffled road noise is in an EV, there’s no engine to mask some of the noise – wind noise doesn’t matter unless you’re driving on a bright day.

But if it’s because of the higher sound deadening or thicker B-pillars, that is especially impressive as the GT-Line rides on larger-than-average 20-inch wheels. The first-level Air would be quieter, we’d say.

Only one true flaw we can see with the EV6’s road performance, which has to do with its safety gear. We have been stuck with the speed limit warning function for Hyundai and Kia models, which is a shame that there are still flaws here.

The speed limit is reduced by a beep sound when you’re over the speed, which can be turned off by pressing and holding the volume scroller on the steering wheel for 2 seconds. And as with all the other cars, that’s a good workaround for that kind of , you have to do it every time you turn off your car.

It’s a shame that the other safety systems of the EV6 are all helpful and reliable, so that’s what makes it such. This is the correct approach to adaptive cruise control and lane-centring that works as intended, and we like it “a side camera view will appear on the instrument cluster when you indicate; so I can see what’s with you.

EV6, All said, has a well-rounded and polished driving experience that makes it ‘happy to be living with – even if it still does have those safety related Kia-isms.

To see how the Kia EV6 stacks up against the competition, use our
comparison tool

What do you get?

There are three grades of the updated Kia EV6 on sale in Australia.

2026 Kia EV6 Air standard equipment highlights:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Tyre repair kit
• 325mm ventilated front brake discs
• 325mm solid rear brake discs
• Auto LED headlights (reflector type)
• LED tail-lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Gloss-black wheel-arch cladding
• Flush door handles
• Power-folding, heated side mirrors
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• 6-way manual driver’s seat with lumbar
• 6-way manual front passenger seat
• 2-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Steering wheel regen paddles
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite navigation
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Kia Connect
• Over-the-air software updates
• 3 x front USB-C ports
• 2 x front seatback USB-C ports
• Wireless phone charger
• 6-speaker sound system
• Dual-zone climate control
• 5 drive modes:

• Normal
• Eco
• Sport
• Snow
• MyDrive

• i-Pedal one-pedal driving
• V2L interior socket

EV6 GT-Line adds:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Auto LED headlights (projector type)
• GT-Line exterior styling
• Body-coloured wheel-arch cladding
• Auto-folding flush door handles
• Metal scuff plates
• Alloy sports pedals
• Synthetic black suede/vegan white leather upholstery
• White interior stitching
• 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar and position memory
• 8-way power front passenger seat with lumbar
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated steering wheel
• Head-up display
• 14-speaker Meridian sound system
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Sunroof
• Rear privacy glass
• Interior ambient lighting
• Fingerprint authenticator
• V2L exterior adaptor

EV6 GT adds:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive damping
• 380mm front ventilated brake discs
• 360mm rear ventilated brake discs
• Intelligent LED headlights
• GT exterior styling
• Neon green brake calipers
• Synthetic suede/synthetic leather upholstery
• Green interior stitching
• GT bucket front seats
• Power steering wheel adjustment
• Heated rear outboard seats
• 2 x rear USB-C ports (removes front seatback ports)
• 6 drive modes:

• Normal
• Eco
• Sport
• Snow
• MyDrive
• GT

To see how the Kia EV6 stacks up against the competition, use our
comparison tool

Is the Kia EV6 safe?

The Kia EV6 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2022.

| Category | Kia EV6 (excl. GT) |
| — | — |
| Adult occupant protection | 90 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 87 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 64 per cent |
| Safety assist | 88 per cent |

Standard safety equipment highlights:

• 7 airbags, incl:

• Centre side
• Front side
• Curtain

• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Autonomous emergency braking

• Pedestrian detection
• Cyclist detection

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Driver attention monitoring
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Lane-centring
• Lane-keep assist
• Junction assist
• Safe exit warning
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing camera
• Tyre pressure monitoring

EV6 GT-Line adds:

• Blind-spot view monitor
• Parking collision avoidance
• Safe exit assist
• Surround-view monitor
• Remote Smart Park Assist 2

To see how the Kia EV6 stacks up against the competition, use our
comparison tool

How much does the Kia EV6 cost to run?

KIa Australia supports its line under seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The prepaid plans cover service costs of the brand’s EV (with maintenance every 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first) and services costs for its evs.

| Servicing and Warranty | Kia EV6 |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | Service-activated, up to 8 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | Prepaid plans |

Service plan pricing for the EV6 is as follows:

| Prepaid plan | Kia EV6 Air, GT-Line | Kia EV6 GT |
| — | — | — |
| 3 years | $728 | $842 |
| 5 years | $1391 | $1570 |
| 7 years | $2055 | $2319 |

Compared to the Mustang Mach-E, it costs $790 to service over five years of age and $984 for maintenance on the Subaru Trailseeker. 18 at the. The Lexus RZ is still too new to have service info, and the updated LexUS RAZ has not been released yet.

Rear-drive versions of the MG IM6, meanwhile, cost $2815 to service over five years.

To see how the Kia EV6 stacks up against the competition, use our
comparison tool

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Kia EV6 GT-Line RWD

The Kia EV6 is a standout model in Australia’s EV market, and its subtle upgrades all hit the spot.

What was a stylish and well-mannered car, unlike the growing crowd of blob-like EVs, is now more polished, underpinned by an interior that matches or improves many of its competitors. It has a slightly underrated premium feel about it; ‘A classy look and feel that is not destroyed by the GT-Line extras.

And yes, in fact, those GT-Line bits are actually improvements inside and out that help the EV6 stand out without going over the top. The fact they’re paired with a smart rear-drive powertrain that makes this ‘loveable car to drive is another part of – and the longer driving range from new battery life, in supposedly endless positives what does it mean?

Of course, there are a few downsides. The most annoying is the speed limit warning, but the most prohibitive is the price. There’s no getting around the fact that, even with one motor, the EV6 is an expensive vehicle. Couple that with the fact it has a smaller boot than the cheaper EV5, and some potential customers may not look twice.

They’d be a bad idea, however, to ignore the EV6, because it deserves attention. While it’s one of the more niche offerings in Kia Australia’ EV catalogue, the GT-Line RWD is a solid example of how good an electric Kian can be.

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