Kia EV6 – Tesla Model Y’s Mainstream Match?
By Edward A. Sanchez – March 9, 2021
Just a little over a week ago, we got our first look at the showroom-bound Hyundai Ioniq 5. While The Watt Car staff are unanimous fans of its hot hatch-like styling (despite actually being quite large) we know its look won’t be to everyone’s liking, especially in the U.S. where the market seems to reward a more conventional approach to crossover styling and packaging. Well, if you like the general idea of the Ioniq 5, but sneer at its C-segment hatch looks, Kia might have the answer for you in the form of its upcoming EV6.
The TL;DR version for those of you that don’t want to get into the nerdy details are that it’s basically another version of the Ioniq 5 built on the Hyundai Group E-GMP platform, but with rounder, more crossover-y styling. Although Kia did not explicitly give specifications with its initial release of teaser photos, there’s a good chance its specifications will probably be close to the Ioniq 5, with the possibility of a higher-performance variant.
With the photos released, it’s clear the EV6 has a rounder, more sensual look than the creased, crisp, and often triangular Ioniq 5. In our eyes, it definitely has some similarities, at least conceptually, with the Tesla Model Y. In terms of pricing, we expect Kia to continue to maintain its reputation as a value-oriented brand, offering a lot of features for an attractive price. That’s not to say the EV6 will be “cheap.” If we had to guess, we’d say the starting price will probably be in the high $30,000 to low $40,000 range before rebates and credits, possibly nudging close to $50,000 fully equipped.
We have driven the Kia Niro EV, and made a somewhat apples-to-oranges comparison to the Tesla Model 3. While we noted the Niro EV was a perfectly acceptable and competent car in many regards, it in no way stirred any kind of passion or desire in either TWC writer Phil Royle or myself. It was simply a competent appliance that ran on electrons rather than liquid hydrocarbons.
The EV6 on the other hand, by initial indications, looks like it could at least have some level of an aspirational quality. Even without seeing the full vehicle in the spotlight, the images that have been shared show a handsome, sculpted form that still maintains a level of functionality and practicality that are required to compete in the cutthroat crossover market.
I have long thought the Korean brands are the “sleeping giants” in the EV game, both for hometown advantage (LG Chem, Samsung, and SK Innovation are all huge players in the global EV battery market), economies of scale, and impressive energy efficiency even on adapted platforms. With a dedicated EV platform, I think the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP has the potential to deliver Tesla-rivaling energy efficiency, impressive dynamic performance, and a compelling value and styling proposition.
Supposedly we won’t have to wait too much longer to get more details on the EV6. Kia says the vehicle will make its global debut in the first quarter of 2021. Specific production and on-sale dates have not been announced.
(Images courtesy Kia)
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