Nonetheless ‘A Actually Good Possibility’

Anybody who follows the electrical automobile world most likely is aware of two issues to be true: one, Hyundai and Kia have been on a roll these days. And two, their EV fashions can all be had for some actually mind-blowing offers proper now. However because the Kia EV9 will get all the eye and the upcoming inexpensive Kia EV3 will get all of the hype, is the middle-child Kia EV6 nonetheless price shopping for?

In response to one proprietor who was new to EVs and is a dyed-in-the-wool gasoline automotive fanatic, the reply is completely sure. 

YouTuber Emadifications makes his preferences very clear upfront. He is presently proudly owning and modifying a fleet that features a Mercedes E400 wagon and a handbook 2005 Audi S4, and up to now he is owned a Volkswagen Golf R, a B9 Audi S4, a supercharged Mazda Miata and extra. I might say he has wonderful style. 

So the Kia EV6 that he acquired in February 2022 was his first foray into the electrical world, and I might name him a rational convert: nonetheless likes ICE automobiles, positively thinks there’s a spot for EVs, and sees worth in plug-in hybrids too. I can dig it. However extra importantly, the EV6 continues to impress—a lot in order that he recommends EV buyers examine one out at this time. 

His automotive is an EV6 Wind AWD mannequin, so it is properly outfitted in the course of the lineup: above the decrease Gentle trims however under the loaded GT-Line ones and the ferociously fast GT mannequin, which is sort of its personal factor. However it’s not wanting for efficiency at 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, or vary at as much as 282 miles. That is very strong for an all-wheel-drive dual-motor crossover; typically these take an even bigger vary hit for his or her efficiency positive aspects, like the same Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4 that are available in round 260 miles of vary. 

Our EV6 proprietor good friend nonetheless loves the best way it appears. And true to his tuner background, he is added some visible modifications that I really actually like: a carbon fiber physique package, a entrance splitter, a black roof wrap, brake calipers painted in a Ford shade of blue and a spoiler extension. Kia designers, take be aware. This could make a reasonably sharp exterior package deal from the manufacturing unit. 

However how has it held up? Fairly properly. The inside plastics have maintained their integrity, there is no extreme put on general, the electronics work nice, no exterior trim items are falling off and the automotive nonetheless appears nice. He is barely been to the dealership for service save for a 12-volt battery situation that bought mounted there; he is completed the opposite upkeep work, resembling it’s, like tire rotations and cabin air filter replacements, all by himself.

The largest put on and tear gadgets have been the tires, which have been changed at 29,000 miles. Sounds affordable to me. In whole, he says he is spent simply $750 in “upkeep” over the previous two years, which might severely undercut any gasoline automotive except you are simply not taking good care of it. 

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The largest problem has been the identified Built-in Charging Management Unit (ICCU) situation that may drain the 12-volt battery, however he signifies the present recall ought to repair that downside. “It is the one large downside I’ve had over two years,” he mentioned. In metropolis driving, leaving regenerative braking on and by no means utilizing the devoted Eco mode, he has averaged between 240 and 260 miles within the metropolis and 180 to 220 miles on the freeway. That is in onerous driving, too, and so whereas he admits they are not nice, “They may very well be worst-case state of affairs for some folks.” I am undecided I might count on hypermiling from a man who loves modified Audis, however I’ve the identical heavy foot downside myself. 

Emadifications largely costs at residence with out situation. He says that public DC fast-charging within the Dallas-Fort Price space is “hit and miss” however rapidly getting higher, however he recommends mapping out your highway journeys and carrying a Stage 1 transportable charger. Kia’s EVs needs to be 

He says his Texas Kia dealership expertise has been hit-or-miss with EV upkeep, and he does advocate packing a distant battery jumper package (about $50) till the 12-volt situation is completely mounted. However that appeared to be set to occur proper after this video ran, and he does not sound apprehensive about it. 

So what is the ultimate verdict? “The costs you may get off MSRP, and the lease offers are so good… that it might get you into an electrical automobile for reasonable,” he mentioned. Whereas it is primarily his spouse’s day by day driver and a “second automotive” for him, the Kia EV6 stays an excellent choice.

It nonetheless appears good, has superb tech, and may profit from the infrastructure getting higher quickly. Plus, an up to date model is coming quickly. Put this in your record if it is not already.

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