Kia EV6 2022 review
Overview
The Kia EV6 landed in the UK in autumn 2021 as the sharp-suited sibling of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and it won the 2022 European Car of the Year title in its first full season. Where the Hyundai plays the relaxed lounge cruiser, the EV6 is the sportier, more driver-focused one — lower, sleeker and genuinely fun on a B-road, while sharing the same 800-volt E-GMP architecture that makes 18-minute rapid charging a reality.
Every UK launch car used the 77.4kWh long-range battery; a smaller-battery variant never made it to Britain at launch. The range opened at £40,895 for the base rear-drive car, rising through GT-Line (£43,895) to GT-Line S (£51,895 all-wheel drive), with the wild 577bhp EV6 GT arriving in the second half of 2022 at around £62,645. The sweet spot for most used buyers is the 77.4kWh rear-drive car: 226bhp, 0–62mph in 7.3 seconds and up to 328 miles of WLTP range — comfortably the best of its generation.
Inside, the curved twin 12.3-inch displays, Meridian premium audio on higher trims and flat floor give it a futuristic feel that still looks fresh years on. Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) lets you run a laptop, a camping kettle or even another EV off the car's battery at up to 3.6kW, and the 1,600kg braked towing figure means it can pull a small caravan. On a 350kW charger it does the 10–80% sprint in about 18 minutes, exactly like its Hyundai cousin.
Used 2022 EV6s sit at roughly £16,000–£26,000 in 2026, and Kia's seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty is the industry benchmark — a 2022 car still carries years of cover. The one check to insist on is the ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit) recall: confirm the software update or replacement was done, and listen for 12V-battery issues on cars still running the original unit. Like its sibling it lost the VED exemption in April 2025, and cars that cost over £40,000 new pay the £440-a-year expensive-car supplement for five years.
UK price from: £40,895
Specifications
| Charging | 800V system, 10-80% in ~18 min on 350kW DC; 11kW AC onboard |
| Battery | 77.4kWh long-range (all UK launch cars) |
| Range (WLTP) | Up to 328 miles (RWD); ~314 miles (AWD) |
| Power | 226bhp (RWD) / 321bhp (AWD) / 577bhp (GT) |
| 0-62mph | 7.3s (RWD) / 5.2s (AWD) / 3.5s (GT) |
| Top speed | 114mph (162mph GT) |
| Boot space | 490 litres seats up (1,260L seats down) |
| Kerb weight | 1,985kg (RWD); ~2,090-2,105kg (AWD) |
| Dimensions | 4,695 x 1,890 x 1,550mm (L/W/H); 2,900mm wheelbase |
| Towing | 1,600kg braked (GT: 1,800kg) |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2022): Adult 90%, Child 86%, Safety Assist 87% |
| Insurance groups | Groups 34-40 depending on trim |
Features
- 800V ultra-fast charging: 10–80% in about 18 minutes on a 350kW DC charger
- Up to 328 miles of WLTP range (77.4kWh rear-wheel drive) — best in class at launch
- Curved twin 12.3-inch displays with navigation, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) socket powering devices up to 3.6kW
- Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-centring and adaptive cruise
- Meridian premium audio and smart power tailgate on GT-Line S
- Five-star Euro NCAP 2022 rating (90% adult, 86% child, 87% safety assist)
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £44.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Cabin pollen filter | £14.99 | Pattern part; annual replacement |
| Wiper blades (pair) | £24.99 | Pattern part; flat aero blades |
| 12V auxiliary battery | £89.99 | Pattern part; check ICCU recall status first |
| V2L vehicle-to-load adapter | £295 | Genuine Kia accessory |
| Front brake discs (pair) | £79.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
Pros
- European Car of the Year 2022 — and it shows: this is still one of the best EVs to drive
- Up to 328 miles of range plus 18-minute charging kills the main EV objections
- Seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty is unmatched and still covers a 2022 car
- 1,600kg towing plus V2L make it properly versatile
- Every UK car is ULEZ and clean-air-zone compliant
Cons
- ICCU recall must be verified — unresolved cars can suffer 12V drain and power loss
- Most versions cost over £40k new, so the £440/year expensive-car supplement applies until 2028
- Rear visibility is pinched by the sloped tailgate; parking cameras do a lot of the work
- Firm ride and rapid tyre wear on the 20-inch wheels
