2025 Kia EV6 | Small Changes Are A Solid Improvement

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

There was a clip where I spoke more on the EV6 GT's updates, but the audio got garbled so we had to cut it. The EV6 GT will still be built in S. Korea, but it will get the J3400 port *AND* it will get the motors from the Ioniq 5 N. Yep, 641 horsepower in a Kia!

[@toyotaprius79]

But KIA struggles to make an entry level car (Picanto) for Europe? It's a sign...

[@Atothen1234]

Alex, I’m considering a EV6, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and a Lexus 300h. Just wondering your thoughts on which you’d pick out of those vehicles?

[@sprockkets]

But will it have the same dual compressor setup?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It sounds like it will. The whole package deal from ioniq 5N, although the brakes appear to still be different.

[@vladsaghin7644]

Hey Alex, have a 2024 EV6 and love it! For the climate/audio dials, if you long-press, you can set a default mode. I set it to Audio because I change it more often than climate. So the rare times that I have to change a climate setting, I press the switch button, do my changes and after 3-4 seconds, it reverts automatically back to audio

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

He knows this. Alex just being difficult.

[@eddiepetrick6222]

​@@jraheemjefcoat429Great journalism!

[@gtrzdaddy]

use the volume knob on the steering

[@brokeboy87]

I would probably keep it on climate since I have audio controls on the steering wheel. But whatever works for you.

[@garrettw99]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard any reviewer talk about this actually

[@techieaddict]

Still starstruck seeing you in person at the show yesterday! Proud subscriber here 🤩

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It was great meeting you!

[@createdeccentricities6620]

Our '22 EV6 Light is the best car we've owned. Great fit and finish, comfort and reliability.

[@timdsd]

Looks like a nice update. Finally, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto! And maybe Kia got rid of the piano black plastic inside. I'm looking forward to checking one out. Regarding the charge port door, I think the Kona EV's port placement in the front center is the most practical, but the EV6's left rear would be very convenient for my existing home charging setup. Of more interest to me is the Kia EV3. Is that on display at the LA Auto Show?

[@SamKhoury]

9:09 I disagree with you about the dual function controls for audio and climate. In my opinion, it was a creative solution to give people the physical controls they want without having 2 separate sets of physical controls for audio and climate. And as someone else pointed out, you can select the mode you want as the default.

[@omelborpon3159]

The previous Wind trim of the EV6 did not have a glass roof, giving an extra 2" of head room over the GT - Line of the GT versions.

[@ayushmalpeddi2793]

Will likely remain the same for new models too

[@EM.1.]

@@ayushmalpeddi2793 - it would be nice if the wind had a sunroof. The GT Line should just have leather seats as the main upgrade feature.

[@frederickmiller5492]

it looks SO much better with matching trim on the sides. The little tweaks here and there, really make a huge difference in the overall visual presence.

[@RobBudge]

Not mentioned was the switch to a capacitive steering wheel so that driver assist knows when you are touching the steering wheel vs needing to exert torque. This is important to me since I have had cars with both.

[@LetMeCook86]

I agree with your assessment on the charging door being on the passenger side for parallel parking. However, manufacturers and charging companies all need to be in agreement. Make the chargers accessible regardless however you back into a parking stall.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Longer cords solve the problem. V4 stations work on both sides

[@LetMeCook86]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide Not if the charging doors are at the front. If the cables are longer, thieves are more willing cut them for the wires, which they already do. Say $50+/- a pop! V4 are the future…

[@BrandonG8Man]

I’ve owned a Sportage with that climate panel for almost 2 years. I’ve set it to default to climate. I use the volume control on the steering wheel. I know that on the rare occasion that I need something on the media page that I need to switch it to media. It’s a non issue. I suppose if I was someone that used the media controls regularly it would be more of a convenience.

[@DaRazorback]

Hey Alex, I have a GAC Hyptec HT with the same battery size that has a range of 620 kms here in Thailand. You'd be welcome to fly here to show it off to the channel. We didn't get the gull wing version as it cut too much into the headroom.

[@anthonyc8499]

Switching the NACS port and making a bigger battery is a big deal. What's the new charge speed using Superchargers?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Same as Ionoiq 5, check out our update video for all the details

[@gelu88]

135kw for all 2025 models

[@RobBudge]

The good news is that the 135KW stays flat for a long time so the overall charging time is still good.

[@usguyver]

That's on version 3. Superchargers when we get version 4 superchargers more widely available, it'll be back up to the max of 225 kW for the ev6 like you can get ccs1

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

As long as the V4 cabinet is backing the V4 stall. Almost all V4 stations have V3 back ends at the moment and Tesla is still installing V4/V3 hybrid stations which will only charge at 135 kW

[@StephenByersJ]

Interesting the charge door sticker still says 240VAC max with the NACS port. Could use some follow up on 277VAC charging on these with the NACS port as well as older cars with CCS and NACS AC adapters.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Kia confirmed it will support 277V but at reduced output. I suspect that's because the internals are still really designed for 240V operation so they have to dramatically cut current for it to work. The charge rate is reduced by about 50% at 277V rather than being increased like we see in modern Teslas.

[@RobBudge]

I love the idea of being able to charge on the largest and most reliable charger network (version 3 Superchargers) without taking up two charging spaces. Realistic abundance of curbside charging is many, many years away.

[@davidnielson9139]

The issue with that is that on a Tesla V3 charger you charge less than half as fast as on CCS chargers, because of the 800V architecture. This will be fixed on true V4 chargers, that can do up to 1000V, but the current "v4" chargers still are limited by v3 power delivery -- there are no true v4 chargers yet.

[@tajdvl-advocate6113]

That’s a really good point about the left side charge port door. It hanging out in traffic is really dumb. I also don’t like the fact that it’s in the back. I prefer the port in the front when I pull into charge stations.

[@benhaze1010]

The EV6 is the 1st EV I would seriously consider.

[@coben70]

I am not sure why every reviewer talks about that infotainment/HVAC screen. I have HVAC screen as default and have never changed to the infotainment screen. I have no reason to because I use buttons on the steering wheel to change volume and track. Everything else you do it on the main screen. I like how it looks and find it easy to use. The problem with this car is high-pitched noise when accelerating at high speed. I find it very annoying.

[@Jaytonic3]

do we get the i-pedal 3.0 of the ev3?

[@volcalstone]

3:31 Is that Corbin the Ioniq Guy in all black? 😊 You forgot to mention the capacitive steering wheel now and I noticed no fingerprint scanner for the US models?

[@TheIoniqGuy]

Tis I!

[@billoswald9886]

They didn't add the rear wiper like they did on the new Ionic 5? Does this not need it because of the more raked rear than the Hyundai?

[@ichinichisan]

I'm sure everyone else at the Supercharger station will be happy to see the charge port on the driver's side. Also nice not to have to circle around the car to charge at home if you're driving alone. But, yeah, a bummer for parallel parkers.

[@Roadbunny777]

I've seen the older EV6 on the road. It looks amazing. I just wish it had a gasoline model (GV6) 😮

[@videosbystofferson3945]

I have a 2022 EV6 and I'm not thrilled about the headlights on the 2025 model. Almost everything else is a welcomed change. Especially the power adjustable steering wheel. I need Kia to update their website so I can look through everything andf decide if I want to consider moving to a newer version of the EV6, or just move straight to the EV9, since it offers the space and features (i.e. sunroof) in more models.

[@nicholaskolnik6458]

Now I cannot unsee the crab claws. Thanks! 🤣

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

You're welcome! LOL

[@theodorebaum8587]

The added range and some improvements tempt me to replace my existing 2023 EV6.

[@gman9543]

Waiting for the feature that puts charging doors on both sides of the car...

[@williamwu1985]

If you want charging port on passenger side, just put on front passenger side, it still work with supercharger.

[@LoveStallion]

No mention of ditching the massive amounts of piano black on the center console??

[@NeedSpeedRC]

I love any car with hips!

[@EM.1.]

Alex, wouldn't you need a super quick charing station to get the faster charing speeds? I am not sure if Tesla's chargers can do it that quickly.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Yes, you'll need either an 800V CCS station (all 350kw CCS stations ate 1000V) or a V4 Supercharger with the V4 cabinets. (Most V4 stations are V4 front end and V3 back end)

[@tonymcflattie2450]

J3400! Dayum

[@TheJ1s]

They didn't make it shorter did they? I do like the upgrade.

[@Molishious]

The exterior changes are not an improvement, but they aren't a disaster either. The interior is a little better, but I would have liked to see them change the dual purpose infotainment system. I've heard some people find it's no problem, but it seems like an odd decision to me and it's a negative to most people in a test drive. I like the new location of the charge port, I think I'd prioritize convenient fast charging at super chargers that exist today over curbside charging that might be developed in the future.

[@leftyduffer]

Love it.

[@calvinlee8089]

any update on the price?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Not yet

[@jackamick]

I think I prefer the older headlight style, this just makes me think it's a K5.

[@rakhsiprayogo82]

Compared with Acura RDX

[@sprockkets]

I just want an ev3. And I rather the port be up front, but that's just me.

[@EVunedited]

Have an order on a Tesla M3.. rethinking now. Thanks!

[@MugatuJag]

Cray cray Elon aside the model 3 especially in standard long-range rear-wheel-drive is fantastic, we picked one up last week excellent build quality, excellent standard features, first charge we got 380, 400.00 a month lease no down payment but Tesla does make you pay taxes title license acquisition and disposition so it was 2,200 out the door. I love Kia and Hyundai Evs but I can't charge at home so this fit the bill. Also Edmunds got 4.6 seconds 0 to 60 in base form Wicked fast.

[@garrettw99]

@@MugatuJagI agree! I don’t like Elon now, but we have 2 Model 3s with total combined 130,000 miles. No reliability issues on either! Great cars if you can deal with the bouncy ride and small backseat.

[@MugatuJag]

@@garrettw99 I've always liked the model 3, and I think they look really good there's just so many of them that they are like a Camry these days, if you drive the new one back to back you will definitely be able to see the difference it's very quiet, and the ride is a lot smoother. We opted for the base 18 inch rims because the range it's so much better and our last car went through 16 tires on a 3 year lease because they were Low Pro with bigger rims so we were just over it LMAO

[@garrettw99]

⁠@@MugatuJagyeah I hear the new one rides and handles more like a mid-2000s BMW, which I’d definitely prefer

[@Atothen1234]

@@EVunedited I personally wouldn’t be caught dead in a Tesla.

[@ltkwok]

Didn’t like the shape and a little too low but I like the front better now.

[@rustlesee]

I wish Martin wouldn’t use the wide angle setting, makes all the proportions weird.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It’s the only way to fit the whole car in at a show where there isn’t much room

[@BTC909]

For left hand drive the charge port should be on the passenger rear.

[@RONderluck]

I disagree

[@thedevincrutcher]

It feels like this is the worst paint for showing off curves. Very cool car, but I feel a poor choice for the floor model.

[@patrick7228]

With curbside parking wouldn't the cord just go behind the car into the port? I don't see that as really impactful as far as "being in the street"

[@omelborpon3159]

Agree. The charge port is on the back of the car; all that is needed is that the charge cable be long enough. The new location should be the US standard position, as it will be compatible with CCS1 and Tesla chargers.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Being on the drivers side means longer cables will be needed, increases trip hazards for pedestrians, and it’s another thing hanging out in traffic to get hit by cars, cyclists, etc. I’ve seen plenty of damaged Teslas in city areas where people are trying to curbside charge and someone scraped the charge cord and damaged the port on the car

[@t1328]

I really dislike the new headlights. I like the styling on the EV9, but this just looks ugly and gives it a “fish face.” I wish they’d left it alone. To me, the biggest improvements are finally, wireless CarPlay, and the charging location and NACS port. Anyway, still way more expensive than the new Model 3 for the features. I can’t even come close to the features, range, performance etc of the new 3 LR AWD for less than the GT-Line, which is easily $17k more, or if this will get the $7,500 tax credit, it’s $10k more. The old EV6 was way better quality than the old Model 3. But the new Model 3 has upped its game significantly.

[@DarylSteward-m3b]

I Hate the new headlight design, period!

[@james2042]

As long as hyundai/kia continue to lock every single option behind a trim level and not offer any seperate packages, I wont be interested. Like why do i need the largest wheels, sunroof, large screen, self driving and all these luxury options, to get a heated steering wheel to match the heated seats the base model has. I cant support it, it forces you to buy a bunch of things you dont want to get one feature. Every other automaker has things like a cold weather package, or a safety package, or a convinence package, or a luxury package, that allow you to get what you want and not be forced to buy unwanted features that run the price tag up and hurt performance/comfort

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Sadly this is what keeps inventory streamlined. Everything would be more expensive if they started going a la carte

[@james2042]

@AAutoBuyersGuide then they at least need to figure out what to bundle together to make the mid trims not full of feature holes. They push too hard to the top trims of their vehicles for some very cheap features

[@Unchainedmaple888]

Too bad this is an overpriced EV. Would've been such a sick hybrid model that we all could've afforded

[@robertehlers3757]

The new face is not an improvement. Very over-stylized.

[@nealjohnson5059]

That interior looks like a clown show...and cheap looking. KIA seems to go over the top on designs. js

[@Portuco_Dream]

It’s a small thing but that off center logo on the steering wheel 🤮🤮

[@RONderluck]

I love it!!

[@idonotcarenow]

No frunk is an absolute no for me. I’m way too used to Teslas and the Mach E, can never go back.

[@ALMX5DP]

Not trying to be rude, but that kinda sounds like the very definition of being spoiled.

[@idonotcarenow]

@ it’s my money, I’ll spend it on whatever I want that fulfills my families needs. And asking for more space is not spoiled, it’s smart. Try traveling with your whole family to a national park. You’ll be thankful when you can fit an entire suitcase of clothes in the frunk.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@idonotcarenow I never suggested that you shouldn’t or couldn’t spend your money on what you want, just that the all or nothing mentality is indicative of what I said. Families have been happily traveling to national parks for decades btw. Nice to have a little extra room for sure just the notion you can never go back kinda seemed funny to me.

[@vladsaghin7644]

It does have one...

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It has one, just a small one. The trunk is possible in the Model 3/y because they have a longer hood. The short hood profile of the EV6 is more space efficient.

[@AdamJakowenko]

Can't believe that stupid dual climate/audio strip is still there. Would never buy this car and have to live with that nonsense every day.

[@brandonl8039]

Owned an ev6 for a few years and it really wasn’t that big of a deal, especially with audio controls on the steering wheel. Maybe if you are the type who doesn’t use auto settings on climate it could be worse but even then just set climate controls to be the default display and use the steering wheel for audio controls.

[@zrh2004]

@@brandonl8039agreed, I thought it would be an issue, but I reality I set mine to stay as audio controls, and use automatic climate control.

[@jraheemjefcoat429]

​@brandonl8039 The fact that your comments have more likes than the person who started the comment says a lot. Which means he's saying little.

[@dxcheong]

If you hold down the fan or audio switch button you can set the default screen. I set it to Climate and almost never access the audio controls. Complete non issue in real world use.

[@StephenByersJ]

We just keep the lower control screen default to HVAC and use the steering wheel for audio controls. After all they are real buttons too boot. No reason to duplicate the controls further away.

[@LoveStallion]

No mention of ditching the massive amounts of piano black on the center console??

[@LoveStallion]

No mention of ditching the massive amounts of piano black on the center console??