These evolutions keep the EV6’s market positioning entirely intact—this crossover remains as unusually placed as ever in our lineup.
In Brief
The refreshed Kia EV6 continues its journey on the market with a truly distinctive stance that blends a wagon-like silhouette with limousine-like presence. It stands out thanks to a newly added, higher-capacity 800-volt battery, delivering a slightly longer range and ultra-fast charging. Despite a modest bump in capacity and a price cut on certain trims, its times on the clock show a small dip. The equipment remains as rich as ever, but it stays pricey, and it is not eligible for the federal tax credit.
Kia EV6: You Could Call It Offbeat?
The EV6 made a splash at launch by introducing a bold, polarizing new Kia design. Since then, the brand has gone even further, but this crossover, aesthetically only lightly refreshed, remains singular in its mid-size form that sits somewhere between a wagon and a limousine. A large vehicle—so wide that it can feel almost too broad for Europe—yet still remarkably spacious, with rear-seat backrests that are adjustable and a legroom figure of 36 cm according to our measurements: a record in its class.
Kia EV6: No Surprises
The main technical update of the EV6 is the adoption of a higher-capacity battery, increasing from 77.4 to 80 kWh net. A modest evolution—one that shows up in our range testing. The EV6 gains only about 12 miles (roughly 20 km), which pushes its range just over the 250-mile mark. The improvement is consistent across all terrains, including highway driving. Not a revolution, but the EV6 continues to rely on its 800-volt technology, which enables exceptionally fast charging—the car’s strongest asset.
Kia EV6: Less Spry
Even with the extra kilowatt-hours, the EV6 isn’t pushing harder. We record only about 56 kg more on the scale. Yet the restyled model demonstrates a tad less urgency on the stopwatch: about 0.3 seconds slower from 0 to 60 mph and in the 0–100 m dash, and about 0.2 seconds slower in the 90–130 km/h run. Not perceptible to the driver in everyday use, but a noticeable slowdown that fits the current trend for electric cars—slightly less “electrifying” performance, much to the relief of insurers.
Kia EV6: The Car That Goes “Beep”
The Hyundai-Kia group remains a staunch advocate of safety, which translates into more beeps per minute than average. Admittedly, driver-assistance aids are easier to deactivate than before thanks to the steering-wheel shortcut and a dedicated menu in the multimedia system, but the car regularly emits shrill sounds for reasons that aren’t always clear. It’s very irritating for daily use!
Kia EV6: Big Efforts
Still pitched as Kia’s flagship, the EV6 is also built in South Korea, which makes it ineligible for the eco-incentive. At around €56,350 for our GT Line Premium trim, the price drops notably compared with the previous model but remains steep in absolute terms. That’s the cost of its 800-volt technology, typically the preserve of more upscale rivals. Fortunately, the equipment is abundant, even if the heat pump stays surprisingly optional.
The Auto-Journal Verdict: 3.5/5
The EV6 continues to shine primarily for its 800-volt battery technology, which dramatically reduces highway charging times. But it remains a premium model that’s destined to play a supporting role in our lineup here.
Kia EV6: In Figures
Find our Kia EV6 test in Auto-Journal issue no. 1204, dated March 5, 2026.
Comparison Table
| Characteristic | Old Model | New Model (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Net battery capacity (kWh) | 77.4 | 80 |
| Range (miles) | – | 250+ |
| Range gain (mi) | – | +12 |
| Rear legroom (in) | – | 14.2 |
| Weight (+) | – | +124 lb |
| 0–60 mph | Reference | +0.3 s |
| 0–328 ft (0–100 m) | Reference | +0.3 s |
| 90–130 km/h | Reference | +0.2 s |
| Price GT Line Premium (€) | Higher | 56,350 |
| Auto-Journal Score | – | 3.5/5 |
Key Takeaways
- The EV6 now uses a higher-capacity 80 kWh battery with 800-volt architecture.
- Range increases by about 12 miles, pushing the total beyond 250 miles.
- Interior space remains a strong point, with 14.2 inches of rear legroom.
- Performance is slightly slower, with about a 0.3-second increase in 0–60 mph time.
- The equipment is rich, but the heat pump remains optional.
- The Kia EV6 is not eligible for the U.S. federal EV tax credit due to its Korean production.
- The restyled GT Line Premium is priced at roughly €56,350 (about $60,000).
- Final score: 3.5/5 from Auto-Journal.
FAQ
What are the updates for the 2026 Kia EV6?
The main change is the adoption of a new 80 kWh net battery along with a few minor cosmetic tweaks.
What is the real-world range of the restyled Kia EV6?
The restyled Kia EV6 now crosses the 250-mile range threshold in our measurements.
How do the performance figures evolve for the new Kia EV6?
The 2026 model is slightly less nimble, about 0.3 seconds slower from 0 to 60 mph compared with the old version.
Is the Kia EV6 eligible for the eco-incentive?
No. Being produced in Korea, it is not eligible for the U.S. federal EV tax credit.
What is the price of the restyled Kia EV6 GT Line Premium?
The price for the restyled GT Line Premium is €56,350 (around $60,000).
