IS THE UPDATED KIA EV6 REALLY ALL THAT DIFFERENT? DOES IT EVEN MATTER?
A recent refresh improved some key aspects of the EV6, but overall, it’s pretty much the same great EV it always was.
Pros
- Quick charging times
- NACS port with Tesla Supercharger access
- Sharp styling
Cons
- Road and tire noise
- Obnoxious dual-purpose controls
- No front trunk
The automotive midcycle update, also known as a face-lift or refresh, can go in a lot of ways. Ideally, the automaker fixes any issues with the existing model and changes the styling in an agreeable way. Most of the time, the refreshed vehicle is at least a little better than the one it replaces, but there’s no guarantee. For the 2025 Kia EV6, though, that’s exactly what it is.
An invitation to a MotorTrend Of The Year competition is predicated, among other things, on the vehicle being all-new or substantially (in our judgement) updated. The EV6 makes the grade not just for its new front and rear styling but also its higher-capacity battery with increased range, NACS charging port with Tesla Supercharger access, increased towing capacity, revised interior components, and updated operating system with phone-as-key capability.
The engineering achievements are the most notable. Kia increased battery capacity by 9 percent with new chemistry and management without increasing its size or weight. Range thereby improved on every trim by up to 18 miles. The model also switched over to the Tesla-developed NACS charging port, allowing it to use Superchargers without an adapter, and new plug-and-charge software eliminates the need to open an app or swipe a credit card. Engineers even moved the charging port to the other side of the EV6 for easier access at older Superchargers.
Lesser but still notable engineering achievements include phone as key, which allows you to leave the key fob at home. We’re also fans of the small but significant changes to the cantilevered center console, which improve ergonomics. A new power steering system improves the steering response noticeably, making even this midrange Wind model feel sportier and genuinely fun to drive.
Midcycle design updates always face the risk of going backward, but Kia avoided that pitfall. We find the revised exterior futuristic without being fussy, and the new power-extending exterior door handles work well. The new green and white interior color scheme was a particularly big hit with our judges.
Not everything is fixed, though. We still deeply dislike Kia’s dual-purpose, touch-sensitive control panel, which switches between climate and entertainment functions. The touch button that swaps the functions is difficult to find, and the whole concept introduces unnecessary complication when all you want to do is change the volume or temperature, taking your eyes needlessly off the road. We’re also still miffed the car doesn’t stay in the i-Pedal one-pedal driving mode when you turn it off and back on, something other automakers figured out years ago. And Kia still hasn’t figured out how to package a meaningful front trunk under the hood, which is disappointing given how much the raked tailgate cuts into the cargo space.
In all, Kia made a great EV even better, and it remains one of the best EVs on the market. A commendable achievement, but it’s not enough to advance in a field of vehicles that have made greater advancements in more categories.
This review was conducted as part of our 2026 SUV of the Year (SUVOTY) testing, where each vehicle is evaluated on our six key criteria: efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or significantly revised.
| 2025 Kia EV6 Wind AWD Specifications | ||
| BASE PRICE | $55,795 | |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $56,500 | |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | Front- and rear-motor, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door electric SUV | |
| POWERTRAIN | F: permanent-magnet motor, 99 hp, 188 lb-ft | R: permanent-magnet motor, 221 hp, 258 lb-ft |
| TOTAL POWER | 320 hp | |
| TOTAL TORQUE | 446 lb-ft | |
| TRANSMISSIONS | 2 x 1-speed fixed ratio | |
| BATTERY | 84.0-kWh NCM lithium-ion | |
| CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) | 4,621 lb (49/51%) | |
| WHEELBASE | 114.2 in | |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 184.8 x 74.0 x 60.8 in | |
| TIRES | Nexen N'Fera Supreme S | 235/55R19 101H M+S |
| EPA FUEL ECONOMY, CITY/HWY/COMBINED | 117/95/106 mpg-e | |
| EPA RANGE | 295 mi | |
| 70-MPH ROAD-TRIP RANGE | 266 mi | |
| MT FAST-CHARGING TEST | 160 mi @ 15 min, 232 mi @ 30 min | |
| ON SALE | Now | |
| MotorTrend Test Results | ||
| 0-60 MPH | 4.4 sec | |
| QUARTER MILE | 13.1 sec @ 103.4 mph | |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH | 124 ft | |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION | 0.79 g | |
| FIGURE-EIGHT LAP | 26.1 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) |