Driving Impressions: 2022 Kia EV6 Wind AWD

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

I might begin this article with' this is the shape of things to come', but we all know that by fiat the government has made it so. I might've said that I was smitten and ready to go all electric. But that's a bit too strong. I'll just share that the new Kia EV6 is a great all-around car.

Its classification is a question.: station wagon, SUV, or hatchback?

Fitting all those descriptors, the EV6 is certainly attractive enough. Its doors are traversed by a single swage line that makes it appear to have a slight mid-section bulge, one not so dramatic as but reminiscent of a C2 Corvette or its inspiration, the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante. Flush doorhandles enhance the look but their function is a slight impediment: depress the front and pull the back. Accomplishing this with anything in the active hand is almost impossible and if the held object is the fob, it often locks the door when you try to open it.  It's form over function, but the annoyance disappears with use.

The roof slopes dramatically towards the rear end it's eye-catching. Below the rear window is a faux spoiler edged by a stylish, continuous lighted lip expanding at its periphery. The LED bar extends into side lights which abruptly come to a halt at the glossy, patterned wheel surrounds, and then continues into paired chrome strips which run the length of the rockers and front fascia. The EV6 strives to look futuristic, and it does.

All this style does not affect storage or utility. The rear tray easily accommodates two of the largest (29') suitcases laid flat with room for more if one cares to stack. Beneath the floor is a 33 x36' compartment which can hide items shorter than 3 inches. Stored here are a kit to treat a failed tire and an interesting attachment to reverse the flow of the battery to power one's appliances and more in an emergency. Missing is a charge cord, a fact this writer fails to understand. Another shallow compartment exists in the 'frunk'.

The dramatic roofline does not impair comfort. At 5'10' and ensconced in a comfortable backseat, I had an additional 2 inches of headroom and quite adequate foot room with the front seat rearward. When seated and comfortable upfront on multi (electrically) adjustable front seats, headroom was more than 4 inches. The sunroof option would lessen this. Footwells were large as well.

A minimum of console real estate was taken up by a circular shifter. And there was plenty of storage elsewhere: a thoughtful console recess that held and charged a smart phone, three small sections for cups, keys and more on top and underneath an 11 1/2 x 13 1/2'open space which would easily accommodate a large purse.

Four driving modes are controlled from the steering wheel: eco (which most often drives two wheels), normal, sport (which turns graphics from green to red) and snow, The 12-inch driver's screen is engaging and offers much information. I emphasize notifications of the car in front having moved away and the use of clear digital projections displaying the blind spots when the blinkers are engaged. Unusual was the left placement of the digital speedometer. This could be easily obscured by the steering wheel placement and despite attempts I could not move the numbers.

More info is offered on a central 12.3-inch touchscreen. Kudos to Kia for offering a reliable and easy-to-use NAV and voice activation system. Beneath the monitor is a dual-purpose touch-panel whose image would flip from dual-zone climate controls, to audio controls and NAV activation. Five switches at console's end controlled front seat heat and ventilation as well as steering wheel warmth.

Finishes were crisp, modern and convenient. Though it looked like patterned fabric the padded dash was actually covered in a durable vinyl. Similarly there was padding from the armrests upwards to the window on the doors.

The EV6 was a pleasure to drive. Steering was light and responsive. Bumps were handled well and there was minimal body roll (partially creditable to a low center of gravity). The cabin was quiet. Rearward vision did not seem compromised by the slanted roof.

In sport mode, steering was quick and precise, And the EV6 became fast, or better stated - quick: 0-60 in 4.5 seconds (with no discernible hesitation). I suspect the car capable of even better times. Braking was smooth; pedal effort and response seemed (fuel powered auto) normal. Regenerative braking could be adjusted by paddles to three different levels or turned off.

The AWD Wind with its dual motors has an estimated range of 274 miles and with Ultra-fast DC charging (more likely to be available in urban areas) can be brought to 80% capacity in 18 minutes.

Driving Impressions feels the AWD Wind represents the best combination of comfort and performance. Bracketing the Wind are an entry-level RWD EV6 with a single motor available for $41,400 and GT version with a moon roof, heads up display and pop out door handles available for a bit more than our test model.

More than enough ink has been spent on the merits of ownership of an all-electric vehicle. If you've made the choice, the AWD EV6 should be considered as a wise alternative to that better-known battery-driven vehicle. Its powertrain and battery carry a 10-year/ 100,000-mile warranty and there is comfort in knowing that with over 775 Kia dealerships in the United States that there is one nearby.

Photo credit: Mark Moskowitz MD