2023 Kia EV6 Review

The Kia EV6 is an electric vehicle produced by Kia. Debutted globally in March 2021, it is Kia's first dedicated EV.

Kia’s handsome flagship electric vehicle was launched in Malaysia on June 24,2022-2023. Introduced in a sole GT-Line spec, it was launched by the brand’s new local distributors Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of Bermaz at their new Glenmarie showroom.

Though it is encouraging to see it in the flesh at the launch, the unfortunate news is that the first local allocations from the factory was only just a handful of units, not nearly enough to fulfil the eager early bookings already taken.

Although the Hyundai Inoniq 5 and Kia EV6 are built on same dedicated-electric E-GMP platform and share many identical components, you can tell just by looking at both cars that they are aimed at different types of buyers. The EV6 is meant to appeal to someone looking for something a little sportier, at least in the traditional sense.

In fact, its dimensions and proportions don’t even quite fit the typical crossover mould, seeming more like an estate car or wagon if you had not noticed just how tall it is and how much ground clearance it has relative to normal sedans and hatchbacks.

2023 Kia EV6 Specifications

The Malaysia-spec EV6 arrives as a ‘Long Range’ equivalent version, arriving with the largest (so far) 77.4kWh battery, allowing the car to unlock more performance from those dual e-motors at 325PS while max torque is 605Nm, bringing its 0-100km/h sprint time to 5.2 seconds. Naturally, as its reserves of electrons are significantly upped, range is extended to around 506km according to the WLTP cycle.

Thanks to the advanced E-GMP platform and its 800-volt architecture, the EV6 is capable of some interesting tricks that most other EVs just can’t match, such as V2L (vehicle-to-load) or reverse charging. This means that it can act as, essentially, a big power bank on wheels, allowing it to power electronic devices and some everyday appliances via a 3-pin socket, even while driving.

Charging of the 2023 Kia EV6

In terms of charging, the EV6 supports up to 350kW via a CCS2 port on a supported DC rapid charger. If you’re lucky enough to find one, Kia says that a 10-80% charge can be completed in just 18 minutes. Meanwhile, slower AC charging can be done using a Type 2 connector at a maximum of 11kW, taking approximately 7 hours to complete.

Exterior of the 2023 Kia EV6

The EV6 arrives in Malaysia in sole GT-Line trim, giving exterior cosmetic touches such as gloss black accenting, a more pronounced front end treatment with lip spoiler, and most tastefully, body-coloured wheel arch cladding. Speaking of which, those are 20-inch alloys riding on 255/45 section tyres. 

Colour options include: Monoscape (pictured), Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Runway Red, and Yacht Blue.

Interior of the 2023 Kia EV6

Inside, this looks and feels like no other vehicle sporting a Kia badge. Due to not having an engine at the front and a fuel tank at the rear as well as it's 2,900mm wheelbase, the EV6’s cabin is pretty spacious, much larger than other combustion-powered cars of comparable dimensions.

That said, the materials here are pretty plush for a mainstream product, blending natural and synthetic/recycled materials to good effect, matched to elegant aesthetic cues such as the curved widescreen panel that comprises the infotainment and driver’s display and touch-actuated HVAC controls just below its sweeping air conditioning vents. 

There’s also a premium 14-speaker sound system by Meridian to play with.

2023 Kia EV6 Safety Features

Standard safety features include: 

• 7 airbags
• Blind spot monitoring
• High beam assist
• Lane keep assist

In addition to active convenience driving features such as the combination of Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Smart Cruise Control to allow it to make highway driving effortless, it has It even has the ability to park itself with Kia’s Remote Smart Parking Assist function.

2023 Kia EV6 Pros and Cons

While the Malaysia-spec EV6 expectedly arrived in long-range form, we're eager to see more variants, including the high-performance GT version, which uses dual electric motors to pump out 585PS and 740Nm of torque. Those numbers are comparable to a Porsche Taycan, and would definitely do justice to its sporty looks. 

However, the balance of 325PS and 506km of range is probably the best compromise between performance and usability. Speaking of usability, some have complained about its lack of headroom as well as visibility when driving the car. 

2023 Kia EV Price In Malaysia

The sleek electric 5-door Kia comes with a selling price of RM299,888 (or RM300,866 on-the-road without insurance). 

Each EV6 comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty (up to 150,000km - whichever comes first). Its 77.4kWh battery, however, comes with a separate 7-year (or 150,000km - whichever comes first) warranty for that little extra peace of mind.

Key Features of the 2023 Kia EV6

One of the best features of the EV6 is the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature. This feature practically turns your EV6 into one big power bank, which will be useful in many different ways. For example, you can treat it as your power source when camping, or it can even come in handy during those blackouts where electricity is unavailable. 

The front seats in the Kia EV6 is also unique as it offers a lot of flexibility. Called the Relaxion comfort seats, they are slim yet strong, but the best part of the seats is that they are designed to relieve pressure on your hips and lower back.