Kia EV6 - NZ Pricing and spec sheet released

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#2898109 7-Apr-2022 13:52

Just popped into the local Kia dealership to take a look at the EV6 they have.

Colour me impressed with the looks - larger and more aggressive in real life than in photos, but still kinda wagon-like (in a good way) in the way it's hunkered down compared to the standard high-riding SUV.

I definitely prefer the interior to the Ioniq 5, though after the airy spaciousness of a M3 thanks to its glass roof, the Kia feels much more enclosed.

As I feared, though, the boot isn't the most spacious - deep enough, but that sloping back kills its overall space. The rear seats can be angled forward a bit which increases boot space, but it's not particularly comfortable sitting like that, and not great if that's on a long trip (which is when we'd need the boot space!).

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#2898354 7-Apr-2022 23:50

Spec sheet online has been edited.

GT-Line AWD gets "Heat Pump System (with waste heat recycling)", but looses "Inner Condenser (HVAC)". Not sure what to make of that.

Scott3

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#2898360 8-Apr-2022 01:12

Took this for a spin today.

https://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=PCZ697

Can confirm the charge cord in the boot had a 10A current rating, and a standard 10A plug. Salesperson didn't know if test car had a heat pump.

Test car was a forest green. Looked stunning in person.

Car was described to me as the base trim, which I wrongly assumed to mean the base offering ($73k, 125kW, RWD, standard range).

Turns out the car was a spec not listed online. "AIR AWD LR 239KWH/EV". So the entry level "Air" trim, combined with the 239kW AWD power-train.

Floored the accelerator from a standing start on an uphill motorway onramp, and can confirm this car is substantially faster accelerating than my current 200kW lexus SUV. Dramatically so.

I quite liked the interior.

Seating position is low and stretched out, more large sedan like than SUV like. (I'm 183cm tall with long legs, and generally run the drivers seat at the right back, and down, and the wheel at maximum extension and about mid tilt). Seat went a heap further back than my current SUV, and unlike my current SUV, I could fit in the back seat behind my preferred driving position. (but unlike my current SUV, with the drivers seat right down, I couldn't fit my shoes under the seat.). Head room in the back seat is tight, but I did just fit, which I often don't in slope back style cars. Center rear seat is more usable than typical due to the flat floor.

Boot space is similar to that in my 2006 Lexus RX (which has one of the lowest amount in it's class). Workable, but seems like a missed opportunity on what is a pretty big car.

Has a split level boot, but with the board removed, the brackets eat into the sides of the space. Would much prefer a boot optimized for low mode, to maximize capacity. I don't care if the boot floor that is flat with the folded setbacks, but if it is seen as important, I could be achieved with polystyrene spacer block, and a board on top of that.

Non GT line gets a under boot tub. Pritty small, but welcome none the less.

Frunk on the AWD is pritty tiny, and the bonnet is opened by a cable release near the drivers door, (as opposed to a button on the key like a BMW i3). Again, not perfect, but I am glad they bothered. I have quite a bit of stuff I like to carry in my car all the time, but like to have tucked away.

Suspension and seats are both firm compared to my Lexus SUV, but that does mean heaps less body roll. Never found any bad roads to test comfort, but seemed fine in suburbia.

Thankfully the headrest adjust forwards and backwards.

Lots less inverter noise than our leaf.

Could start to hear a bit or road noise coming up at 50km/h on chip road's. No high speed chip roads around to test, but would be interested to hear how the road noise levels are.

All up, I expect the Long Range 2wd version to sell like hotcakes.

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#2898367 8-Apr-2022 06:51

Scott3:

All up, I expect the Long Range 2wd version to sell like hotcakes.

website says 78,990 +ORC

how much is orc?

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#2898372 8-Apr-2022 07:05

10kWh adds 100kg

wow 100kg per 10kWh

Dingbatt

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#2898373 8-Apr-2022 07:05

Scott3:

Took this for a spin today.

Great write up.

Any chance you could put your review here?

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=293544 (EV Review Thread)

Might help GZers with their own EV choice.

I am still waiting for my local Kia dealer to get a demonstrator.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Scott3

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#2898453 8-Apr-2022 09:20

Batman:

Scott3:

All up, I expect the Long Range 2wd version to sell like hotcakes.

website says 78,990 +ORC

how much is orc?

I didn't ask, but a quick google search says it varies between dealers.

Typically it sits in the $300 - $1200 range. Good bet that it will be under $1000 in this case, to keep the vehicle eligible for the rebate.

Generally ORC include Initial WOF, REGO (typically a full years worth for new cars), a full tank of fuel, Inital RUC's on diesel cars (usually 1000km, worth $76 + transaction fee), sometimes floor mats, and pre delivery preparation (removal of transport stuff like plastic wrapping / suspension block's etc, Inspection and check of lights & fluids, software update etc.)

With a 65L tank of premium fuel running around the $200 mark, and No RUC to pay, one would expect ORC to be cheaper on EV's than petrol & Diesel car's.

Personally I think the whole +ORC thing is a bit of a Rort. Given this is being sold as a road vehicle, it is not something that can really be opted out of, so should be included in the headline price in my opinion. Actually not sure if you can opt out, even if the car is for off road use, or export to another country.

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Scott3

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#2898456 8-Apr-2022 09:26

Batman:

10kWh adds 100kg

wow 100kg per 10kWh

Air RWD standard range has a 58kWh (total, not usable) battery.

Air RWD Long range has a 77.4kWh (total, not usable) battery.

That's a 19.4kWh increase (total, not usable).

Increase in published Tare Weights is 105kg between those spec's.

But this also includes a power increase from 125kW to 168kW. This might be done in software with the same hardware, but could mean a heavier motor and inverter on the long range.

[edit] Just found a USA source that splits out the weight of the battery packs.

It has the 58.0kWh pack at 370 kg, and the 77.4kWh at 477kg, so a 107kg increase in pack weight. for the extra 19.4kWh.

Something is up with the Curb / Tare weight numbers though.

As an example the USA "Light" spec has Curb weight at 4017Lb (1822 kg), but the tare weight of similar NZ spec (Air RWD Standard Range) is listed as 2043kg.

The GT line AWD in the USA has a (max) Curb weight of 4661lb / 2114kg, but the tare weight of the GT line AWD in NZ is listed at 2254kg.

My understanding is that Curb / Kerb weight includes a full tank of fuel, where tare includes only 10L, but otherwise the measurements are the same. Obviously no fuel tank in this case.

In additon the in NZ the Earth AWD and GT-Line AWD are listed with the same Cerb weight of 2254kg. This is despite the latter having a bunch more spec that would add weight.

(External vehicle to load, Adaptive headlights, laminated front Windows, Ventilated front seats, mood lighting, Premium sound system with many more speakers and a subwoofer, Heat Pump System (still unclear on the difference between the Inner Condenser and heat pump system).

Suspect the NZ Tare weights are overstated, as they are both really high, and result in a tiny payload.

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#2898486 8-Apr-2022 10:47

Interesting on a demo car that isn't listed. The AWD and LR is tops for me, which would lean towards the Earth.

But I could live without some of the toys that the Earth offers, with the Air AWD coming in under the $80k mark.

It would be a good compromise

The little things make the biggest difference.

Scott3

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#2898554 8-Apr-2022 12:20

Shindig:

Interesting on a demo car that isn't listed. The AWD and LR is tops for me, which would lean towards the Earth.

But I could live without some of the toys that the Earth offers, with the Air AWD coming in under the $80k mark.

It would be a good compromise

Yes, I was quite surprised when I put my foot down, expecting 125kW of performance, but getting 239kW...

But yeah overall, it seemed quite odd to have to have the demo car in a different configuration (and colour), to what is advertised as available.

Wonder what happens if somebody comes back from a test drive, and asks to place an order of a car exactly the same as the demo... Do they get sat down with a spec sheet, and told they need to either order the Earth AWD at $94,990 +ORC, or stick with the Air trim, and close a slower RWD power train. Oh, and you need to pick a different color.

Seemed quite sneaky to me to portray the car as a Base "trim", without mentioning it is packing the 239kW power-train.

On the Air AWD, coming in under $80k, if it was formally offered as a spec, no chance sorry. I am surprised they were able to squeeze the LR 2wd in under $80k (at $78,990+ORC, which at a guess would run at $1000).

The AWD involves an entire additional motor and inverter, which would add substantially to the production cost.

And typically AWD is priced at a premium ($2k on a Sorento as an example). In this case it come's coupled with substantial power upgrade (168 to 239kW), which in iteself would be worth a few thousand extra on the retail price.

Suspect the Air AWD would be closer to the Earth AWD price ($95k), than the Air RWD ($79k)

You do actually get a decent amount more in the Earth trim though (auto kiddy door locks, Surround View, Vegan leather premium relaxation seats, passenger electric seat (with lumber adjustment), heated frount seats & stearing wheel, HUD, Blind spot minitor, parking assist).

Unless one has a particular need for AWD, I think the RWD is a strong offering. Sufficiently more efficient to get 22km more range, substantially lighter (about 100kg), which would have handling advantages, Much bigger Frunk (52L / 20L). Less bits means (slightly) less maintance, and less to go wrong (no front CV's boot to fail, or front reduction gear oil to change on the RWD). Yes it gets more power, but frankly I think the 198kW would be fine. the 239 kW was comically fast.

Should note in Aussie they are offing only three grades. Air RWD LR, GT-Line RWD LR & GT-line AWD LR

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#2898589 8-Apr-2022 14:13

Thanks for that reply! Great summary and words.

When you list it out, you do get a decent amount extra in the Earth AWD and that is leaning me towards the model.

How much would one use parking assist? Watching some of the youtube videos, its quite slow. One would never use it to parallel park on a busy road!

HUD and the blind spot monitor do make the difference and then there is the acceleration!

The little things make the biggest difference.

RunningMan

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#2898610 8-Apr-2022 15:05

Scott3:

Spec sheet online has been edited.

GT-Line AWD gets "Heat Pump System (with waste heat recycling)", but looses "Inner Condenser (HVAC)". Not sure what to make of that.

Excellent.

I wonder if the inner condenser refers to a condenser (mounted externally) that is for the normal A/C cooling of the interior, contrasting it to a condenser that is helping with battery thermal management?

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#2898612 8-Apr-2022 15:10

The good thing about this car is that it is a good all round EV for an ok price. Hopefully it will bring in more competition of manufacturers. The difference between what you get for you money when you compare it to the new mazda EV for about the same money is massive.

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#2898613 8-Apr-2022 15:12

Shindig:

HUD and the blind spot monitor do make the difference and then there is the acceleration!

IMO the blind spot monitor should be on all models if it iimproves safety. HUD is good, but is that worth the extra amount and not getting the rebate?

Scott3

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#2898679 8-Apr-2022 16:31

Shindig:

Thanks for that reply! Great summary and words.

When you list it out, you do get a decent amount extra in the Earth AWD and that is leaning me towards the model.

How much would one use parking assist? Watching some of the youtube videos, its quite slow. One would never use it to parallel park on a busy road!

HUD and the blind spot monitor do make the difference and then there is the acceleration!

Key issue is that stepping over the rebate threshold means the $16k increase in price represents a $24.6k cost increase for the consumer, which is fairly massive jump.

But if one is shopping for an AWD pure electric car, there are no options below the rebate limit, so that point is kinda moot, but does mean that there are lots of competitors (Polestar 2 AWD is $93,900 (+orc?), Tesla model 3 dual motor is $88,943 drive away, Ioniq 5 $96990+ORC, Merc EQA, Audi E-tron etc.),

In terms of the extra features, yes there are a lot, but they in my eyes they are mostly nice to have's, rather than thing's that are really attractive as a buyer.

Passenger electric seat - Clearly a luxury, Adds weight and they tend to get rarely adjusted anyway. (allthough for some people the ablity to adjust the lumber support in the passenger seat may be essential).
Surround view - Probably the most desirable feature on the list.
Vegan leather seats (personalty don't mind cloth seats).
Premium seats - Desirable, but it's not like there was anything wrong with the seats in the air trim.
heated fount seats & steering wheel. - Should be standard in every EV (they use little power, and provide warmth very efficiently if you are running at the limit of your range and choose to kill cabin heater to save power).
HUD - Again nice to have - just replicates info from the screen on the dash.
Blind spot monitoring. You still are meant to do a head check, seems to add temptation to be sloppy. (but the warning tone if you indicate with a car in the blind spot is a good idea)
Park assist. Probably great for drivers that aren't comfortable doing tight paradell parks , but for people who do them all the time, it is likely not worth the time to turn on.

But the AWD and performance are well worth paying for. Zoom past those chain or 4wd restriction's at skifelds.

And people do pay a lot of money for fast car's. This car is proper quick. 0-100 in 5.2s Beats a Holden Commodore SS-V redline auto (5.3s) source. That's a 6.2L v8, burning 11.8L/100km of premium.

In terms of park assist, I have tried it once in a VW. You stop the car next to the car ahead in the parallel bay (pictorials on screen show you where). You then select parking assist, take you hands of the wheel, and reverse the car while the car take care of it's own steering. Car did it near perfectly, and cranks the steering over super hard and fast.

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