Someway, it has been over two months since I wrote an replace on my 2024 Kia EV6. And a part of the reason being that till not too way back, I wasn’t actually driving all that.
No, it isn’t as a result of the automotive is within the store or something like that. Neither is it as a result of I do not just like the EV6 — fairly the alternative. I’ve simply been busy with different issues. Over the previous two months, I have been on the street just about continuous for InsideEVs, going to South Korea, Nashville and Texas for work. And after I’m house, I have been driving a bunch of different issues for work, like a BMW i4 M50 and a set of autos you will examine very quickly for our huge year-end awards bundle. (Sure, considered one of them is the Tesla Cybertruck, and sure, I’ve ideas about it.)
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Now I have been again for some time, fortunately, and I’ve spent lots of time sitting in my 2024 EV6 Wind All-Wheel Drive. My spouse put lots of miles on it within the interim and she is going to let you know it’s the greatest automotive she has ever owned. I agree; At 4,400 miles, I nonetheless actually benefit from the EV6 and stay up for driving it on daily basis. However even a really nice automotive has areas the place it may very well be higher, and having pushed all these automobiles — a few of that are my direct opponents — I’ve a greater thought of its weaknesses.
The EV6 continues to impress.
First, begin with the good things after 4 months of possession:
I am very wanting to see how the EV6 fares within the New York winter, however when it warms up, the automotive remains to be a spread and charging monster. With a full 100% cost on my house Chargepoint plug, I continued to see north of the 300 mile vary on a gentle climate day. That is spectacular for me on a twin motor EV.
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I’ve determined. Begin following my very own recommendation. (Testing an EV from a press fleet is totally different than proudly owning one long-term with your personal cash) and charging it as much as 80% within the storage. These days, with cooler temperatures, it will get me about 230 miles of vary—about 80% of my EV6’s EPA-estimated most vary of 282 miles. As most battery specialists will let you know, preserving a automotive near 80% of the utmost is nice for long-term well being, and whereas my automotive is on lease, I am all set to purchase it when it is completed. will Even when I do not, it is good to depart the automotive in good situation for the subsequent proprietor should you care about sturdiness.
This diminished vary could scare some folks, however EVs are fascinating as a result of they educate you to consider how you utilize and use your power. Virtually all of our each day driving is within the instant neighborhood of our small city, and we nonetheless haven’t got to totally cost the automotive each evening. I virtually by no means want greater than 200 miles of vary. (Hell, a part of me now needs I might waited just a little longer and simply gotten an inexpensive used Chevrolet Bolt EV, however I’ve no regrets right here.)
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Adjusting your most charging stage for house AC or DC quick charging may be very straightforward within the automotive’s fundamental menu. I’ve at all times stored the latter maxed out at 80%, however I do not cost all that quick both. If I do know I have to drive rather a lot—or if I’ve a visit to New York Metropolis that I wish to knock off in a single go—I am going to bake it to 100% the evening earlier than the drive. See what I imply about fascinated with your power use?
We needed sufficient cargo area for Residence Depot runs and the like, however we did not want a giant SUV. That Kia is the kind of lengthy wagon that works nicely for our wants. In Sport mode, the automotive is not less than on par with my previous Subaru WRX by way of velocity, and the chassis makes it lots of enjoyable on an excellent again street. I feel it wants higher summer season tires, which I am going to cowl right here quickly and hopefully sort out subsequent yr.
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Proudly owning this EV is drama-free. I just lately handled a failing battery on my fuel Mazda — chilly climate, it most likely hasn’t been pushed sufficient, the standard stuff. And I discovered myself significantly irritated on the lengthy psychological guidelines I made to determine why it would not begin. That is what folks imply once they say they will not return to fuel automobiles after going electrical. That have, whereas not with out its many charms, begins to really feel primitive within the instant setting.
Ultimately, the EV6 represented the primary causes I needed to purchase a Hyundai Motor Group E-GMP automotive: it is a fantastic mixture of vary, charging velocity, efficiency, model and practicality.
However there’s one space the place Hyundai Motor Group must up its recreation, and that is software program.
Let’s speak tech.
We’ll begin with the desk stakes right here: software program, as a lot as battery prices, has been the bane of the auto business for years now.
Software program points are partly why Basic Motors had such a nasty 2023 on the EV entrance. That is why Volkswagen’s in-house tech arm is at all times on hearth. For this reason costly new EV fleets with key options are nonetheless lacking. Even the Lucid Air, which I might argue might be one of the best EV People can purchase proper now, is not what I might name a frontrunner in software program and consumer expertise. And the entire automotive enterprise remains to be fairly unhealthy at over-the-air software program updates.
However some manufacturers are higher than others. I just lately borrowed a Rivian R1S which acquired some vital OTA updates whereas driving. No such luck with the Kia EV6, I am afraid; A lot of the “updates” are only for the navigation system and leisure setup, A degree of competition with many house owners. No new options added on a regular basis like Tesla or Raven. Utilizing a bodily improve requires a number of updates on the dealership. I do not see any plans to present the pre-facelift EV6 the newest software program setup over the EV9 and the upcoming 2025 EV6, which is disappointing.
The Kia Join smartphone app is… nicely. That is the primary automotive I’ve owned that has this a lot functionality. It may well do some neat issues, like present my cost standing, management my cost restrict settings, remotely find the automotive, lock and unlock it, heat it up or cool it down earlier than you get in, and arrange your automotive. Monitoring the upkeep schedule. However the novelty quickly wears off. For one it can reliably present how a lot cost I’ve, however virtually at all times reads “0 miles” for the precise vary. And whereas my native Kia seller has the choice to schedule upkeep or repairs, I’ve tried that characteristic twice now and by no means heard again from the store. Whether or not that is a software program subject or an instance of the notoriously unhealthy Kia seller expertise is unclear. However if you cannot belief your sellers to comply with by way of, this characteristic is ineffective anyway. I am glad the app exists but it surely might all be so significantly better.
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Computerized driving help is comparable. no matter. My EV6 has the Freeway Driving Help 1 setup, which is mainly lane-holding radar cruise management the place it’s important to preserve your arms on the wheel when it is on. After experiencing Basic Motors’ completely unbelievable SuperCruise in a current take a look at of the Chevy Equinox EV and constructive experiences with Ford’s BlueCruise, I am presently on the “arms up or go house” crew. Kia is bringing it gently. Conditional Degree 3 Freeway Driving Pilot System Sooner or later till the EV9, however total, the Korean’s autonomy recreation feels behind the curve—not less than so far as shopper autos are involved.
Likewise, navigation is not pretty much as good — definitely not on par with the class-leading Google Maps integration constructed into Android-based programs utilized by GM, Volvo, Polestar and others. My rule of thumb with Kia’s navigation is “belief however confirm.” He has despatched me to some unusual locations and in unusual methods. In fact, I can get round this if I exploit Apple CarPlay, but it surely seems like dishonest.
I’d say the voice controls on this automotive are completely glorious, proper up there with one of the best. The navigation system, whereas poor by way of outcomes, at all times offers me an excellent set of choices based mostly on what I ask it to do. It is a very pure and intuitive system that is higher than many different elements of the consumer interface right here and a giant level in Kia’s favor.
However in the end, I might say the EV6 (and its Hyundai and Genesis cousins) proceed to supply among the greatest charging, vary, battery and motor setups within the enterprise. For vary and quick charging, these are nonetheless my favourite choices this facet of the Porsche Tycoon. For this reason discovering route planning and chargers on these automobiles is nice.
Nevertheless, they’ve some work to do to meet up with the software program. Say what you need about Tesla nowadays, but it surely nonetheless most likely works greatest with Rivian behind it. And it seems like GM is absolutely getting issues collectively on that entrance as nicely.
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Fortunately that is getting fastened on newer Hyundai/Kia fashions, however that claims rather a lot.
Would I purchase a Kia EV6 once more?
I’m completely satisfied to say that the reply to that query is “sure”. To me, issues like software program options, automated driving tech and smartphone apps are add-ons, not major causes to purchase a automotive. I am positive many patrons really feel the identical means. And for the value (and the deal I bought), I could not discover something that beat the EV6’s mixture of specs, model, and on a regular basis functionality.
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In spite of everything this time on the street, I am so completely satisfied to be again in my automotive. And the sensation is not over but. I want to regulate my excessive beams upwards as they’re clearly aimed too low and I imagine the Meridian sound system is just not working because it ought to, so I have to verify just a few issues. Must do. Perhaps a Kia seller will probably be prepared to name me again sometime. However total, I did not need to cope with something critical.
In my subsequent installment, I am going to convey you the showdown we have all been ready for: EV6 vs. A Actual New York Winter.
Contact the creator: patrick.george@insideevs.com
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