EV Ramblings - 2022 Kia EV6 Driving Reaction and Review

[@ront2984]

Just read your EV6 review -- 15 months after taking delivery of our GT line 2. With 10,000km on the odometer, our EV6 is -- by far -- the most satisfying vehicle I have ever owned, bar none! All the detail you convey in your review is accurate and objective. You have done a superb job for anyone interested in an EV -- your objectivity is right on the money. Is the EV6 perfect? No, it is not. But it comes closer to that elusive quality than anything I have driven at any price. If I were to change anything, I would add a yoke steering wheel designed to make the excellent blind spot monitors more visible on the panel. I'm 6' tall and have the driver seat positioned high, a position from which the steering wheel spokes partially obstruct the monitor screens. I would also provide more ground clearance under the front bumper. The EV6 is prone to scraping low curbs that are often found across the front of parking stalls. Regrettably, the otherwise excellent detectors and cameras up front do not show such curbs reliably. Among the outstanding plusses of the EV6, I would have to highlight the regen braking system used by Kia and Hyundai. Being able to change instantly on the fly via the always-at-hand paddles on the steering wheel is convenient, safe and better than any other system I have encountered. The adjustability is incredible. I have found that iPedal (level 4) is ideal for driving in the city. The irritants of driving in traffic belong to other vehicles, not to this one. Using iPedal, the more you drive an EV6 in heavy traffic, the more you love it. It takes much of the stress out of stop and start city driving -- even in Vancouver's designed-for-bikes gridlock. On the open road, at speed, I drop the regen to level 3 which gives a superb combination of stopping power and smoothness. Given the vehicle's solid build quality and aerodynamics, the sound level is impressively low notwithstanding the incredible torque from the -- almost silent -- power train. Seoul's engineering creds are definitely showing! This is my first EV and my first Kia product. I hope you are able to stick with the wait -- and that your EV6 experience is as positive as mine. Thanks again for an outstandingly objective review!

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for taking the time to write such thoughtful comments! I've had some motivation issues with making new content and recently lost monetization from KZbin. I'm having a bunch of fun doing other hobbies, but things like this definitely make me feel like I should keep writing reviews and making KZbin videos. Enjoy your EV6!

[@sow_scout4989]

I love my SUVs, I currently own a Sante Fe Sport 2017. But every now and then, I wish I owned something a little more sporty like in my early adulthood. I feel like the EV6 can fulfill both. It won't be as big and high as the Sante Fe, but it seems like it will have the space that will make me satisfied. Edit: Also, I'm currently financing my car which ends next year. I drive a lot for work and pay a minimum of 500$ a month. So by the end of the month, im literally paying a minimum of 1000$. Not to mention maintenance, in the long run, an EV will likely help me save too.

[@douglowles7689]

This is the first time I've commented on a review (and I have watched quite a few). Yours was among the best I've seen not only from a technical perspective, but also subjectively. I enjoyed noticing how the car seemed to quietly grow on you over the course of the review and really laughed when I read in your comments that you've put a deposit on one! I have too but it's only been 5 months so I have a while to wait yet. Great job!😊

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for taking the time to write a comment, I really appreciate it! I created this channel to show what it was like to drive EVs as when I was in the market that part was extremely lacking. It's been hard to make new content with pretty much all EVs not being available. Good luck with the EV6 - hopefully they start producing more of them than what they have been.

[@stephenkimball3615]

You did a really nice job on this review. I have seen most of them online and I like your objective approach. I have an EV6 ordered that should be available in a week or so. Great job!

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks Stephen! You're going to love the car.

[@pianomn]

The best review I ever heard and seen on my new car. I live in Gatineau Québec near Ottawa and I have enjoyed every ride in my beautiful Blue Belle since I got her a week ago. Thanks and good luck on your next EV purchase.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the comments! Enjoy that amazing car.

[@richardlabbe2745]

Great evaluation!!! Honest review!!! The BEST EV car indeed. I drive a Taycan 4S and I just got an EV6 GT2 to replace my 2017 Macan GTS. I was one of the first 200 lucky ones, who took a chance, online on Oct 22nd. Not knowing the canadian price, not sure if it would qualify for the subsidies, without sitting in the car or seeing one and we had to pick 3 colors but not sure which one we would get. I am not disapointed at all. It is an unbelievable car. My spouse and I were riveted to our computers, iPAds and iPhone on Oct 22nd and with a lot of patience and after trying, resetting and retrying several times… we both got an order in! The second EV6 GT2 is coming in 2 weeks I am seriously considering selling my Taycan to drive the EV6 instead. I always had a german car sitting in my garage since 2000, Porsche, Mercedes etc. Kia is coming after them and I love it! I am also looking forward for the Genesis EV upcoming line up!!!

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for taking time to comment! I drove the Ioniq 5 yesterday and in my mind there is no comparison, the EV6 is the better vehicle. Enjoy your new cars :)

[@coolpix222]

Man, I'm so excited to get mine this week!

[@DustinBatchelor]

I am very jealous!

[@ronlk46]

Excellent review video! I currently drive a 2015 BMW 435i M Sport with Twin Turbo and will be ordering a Kia EV6 AWD with Tech Package.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your new car once you get it :)

[@H0rseMac]

Why do we care if your 435i is twin turbo..?

[@novax7514]

Great Review! I ordered a GT1 on December 13th 2021 and I can't wait to get it.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the comment! Hopefully you don't have to wait too long.

[@novax7514]

@@DustinBatchelor The dealer is saying February 2023, but I'm hoping by the end of this summer.

[@ChrisPepin]

“Small Station Wagon” is listed on the EV6 window sticker

[@DustinBatchelor]

Yeah I'm not sure why the majority of media outlets keep calling it an SUV or CUV. It's clearly neither of those! With that said I put money down on an EV6. I recently drove the ID.4, Ioniq 5, Polestar 2, and Mach E. Came out of all those with the EV6 being the better package.

[@ChrisPepin]

Kia lists the EV6 as a crossover on their website. I bought a EV6 First Edition last week that I reserved last year. It’s my first electric car, first Kia and I love it.

[@DustinBatchelor]

@@ChrisPepin yeah it's an incredible vehicle. Congratulations on the purchase!

[@victorpopurhedoff8828]

Thank you Dustin for your review, I really enjoyed your style of review. I have recently ordered my GT line 2 and looking forward to it, no word from KIA as to when it will arrive.

[@DustinBatchelor]

You're going to love it! Unfortunately I think you might be waiting for a while, but it will be worth it.

[@Cobraguy321]

Great review thanks. Looking at buying one here in the UK.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the comment! I put a deposit down on one in May so I have quite the wait.

[@SoaringEaglesMountainBiking]

Nice review. I ordered a gt line 2 the other day. Probably be a 2024 by the time it gets here.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the comment! I'm also in the waiting game for the GT Line 2. I'm closely watching the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV, but thinking the EV6 is still going to be my preferred choice.

[@AndyM...]

Great review Dustin, have one on order, but now a long wait as there's none available in Australia until the next batch Kia sends our way !

[@DustinBatchelor]

Seems like everyone is on a long wait list right now. They have stopped taking orders over here in Canada, so I'm guessing at least a year. You won't be disappointed with the EV6, so it's with the wait!

[@amperformance7998]

I ordered my Australian market GT-line RWD Yacht Blue in mid Feb. Was initially given an 18 month quote, but they have since bumped that up to Feb '23. So maybe early next year they'll start with deliveries again.

[@AndyM...]

@@amperformance7998 Funny you say that, I was updated with a similar timeframe, so hope that's correct !! 👍

[@73av8r5]

Nice review thanks. I’m gonna wait….dealer markups are bonkers here in the states.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Yeah the whole EV industry is ridiculous right now. I might need to buy a second car in the next year, but I'm looking at possibly a 2 year wait.

[@Smffyzul]

I am assuming that you've used the driver assistance feature on a Tesla before. If so, how do similar features found in the Kia EV6 compare? I am considering selling my Tesla Model 3 for the Kia EV6 but driver assistance is by far the main concern for me. Overall, Tesla's autopilot is great so I'd hate to settle for anything less. It is hard to find a quality reviewer like yourself so I'd appreciate the insight.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the comment. The EV6 system is more of an assistant than a self driving system. Tesla has a lead on this for sure.

[@MrVeeBlog]

Thank you for the review. The question that doesn't seem to get asked or answered is whether or not you can control the height of the trunk hatch. If I open it in my garage, can I limit how much it opens.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the comment. You can set the opening height in the vehicles menu system. Details are here ev6.synology.me/en/topics/chapter5_6_2.html

[@VROneUK]

@Dustin Batchelor - What camera's did you use to film this please?

[@DustinBatchelor]

I am using the DJI Osmo Action. In the past I've used GoPro but decided to try something else. Overall I'm happy with the performance, although external microphones for the cameras seem to be problematic (I had some audio issues in this video).

[@pokemonjynx1019]

i call it hyundai ev6 and kia ioniq5!

[@ganekim]

불필요한 얼굴을 보여주지 않아서 좋네요^^👍👍

[@ubuu7]

I want an ev6 just based on looks. But Dustin mentioned the car also attracting attention and that is not something I'm sure I want. The ev6 is basically the Jessica rabbit of evs. It makes the chevy bolt and ionic 5 and even teslas looks like fiat multiplas. The ugliest car in all of creation. I am now torn. No, I'm not. I'll just make sure to tint the windows.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Being dangerously good looking is such a burden :)

[@youngchirp12]

The thing is only good looking in the front the back is ugly as f***

[@chaostrucker74]

Not a GT... only GT-Line

[@jonaskristensen3066]

What a dissapointment, thougth it was the proper gt, not the ligth version.

[@DustinBatchelor]

Thanks for the feedback. I've updated title and description. This is the GT trim level 2

[@IanMcc1000]

@@DustinBatchelor He means the proper GT one that's been in press reviews over the last few days. The one with 3.5 sec 0-60mph. The confusion is over the different regions naming. eg the UK calls with GT Trim 2 a GT-Line S. In the US the same trim spec is called GT-Line. It's also weird that Canada is naming the GT-Line with just GT - maybe it means you won't get the real GT?

[@DustinBatchelor]

@@IanMcc1000 thanks for the clarification. Yeah it's possible we won't get the faster edition. I find it a bit odd that Kia went with so many different naming styles, but here we are :)

[@IanMcc1000]

@@DustinBatchelor Looking at your specs again, I think you have KIA have a "light" version too which could also be what Jonas meant.

[@willluma9170]

Great review. Got the order into Kia Canada in march for a GT line 2. Hopefully have one before we have flying cars lol

[@rrange]

Nice car..why they use cheap old wipers