Test Drive Report of the Kia EV6 after the Facelift: This is How the Starmap Express Drives!

The EV6 wins twice: In visual presence and range – and some other details. We were able to take a first round in the GT-Line with a large battery. At the start, the EV6 reported a real range of 448 kilometers. According to WLTP, up to 582 kilometers are now possible instead of the previous 528 kilometers, with our AWD with 20-inch wheels still achieving 522 - but this requires fine temperatures (which we had) and a very calm accelerator foot (which we rather did not have).

The chassis has been noticeably improved

We were allowed to carve through serpentine roads on the Portuguese coast, and with the newly tuned suspension-damper setting, it’s even more fun: The EV6 is significantly firmer than the comfort-focused EV3 and now avoids the harsh rumbling over transverse joints or bumps, a shortcoming that always noticeably affected the comfort in the predecessor. Moreover, it feels a bit lighter yet still more stringent than its smaller sibling. The fact is: Kia has finely improved the chassis. The steering with the new steering wheel could also be a bit more direct in translation.

Forgot your key? Then start via smartphone and fingerprint recognition

It's good that at least the speed limit alert can be silenced with the push of a button in the new steering wheel – the lane assist and the attention assistant still make enough chimes on board, which have to be silenced in the menu more awkwardly. Otherwise, the EV6 remained true to its operation. If you forget the key, you can also start with a smartphone app plus fingerprint. The latter is verified right next to the start button. Inside, the fingerprint-prone black piano lacquer was replaced by a dark “brushed” structure, structurally somewhere between brushed aluminum and dark wood, but successful.

It is said to be one decibel quieter – you can hear it especially on whisper asphalt

In the GT-Line, there are seats covered in suede-like material, and with the improved sound insulation, it seems even more elegant: Especially on whisper asphalt, which is increasingly found in Portugal as well, you can hear this – or rather almost hear nothing. Although the rear drive has been better encapsulated, it now whirs more noticeably in this quiet space at low speeds, but this soon disappears. Then the tires take over (also the wheel arches have been better insulated, as well as the carpets, which are no longer directly connected to the body), and only the wind remains! Here, one gladly saves on the artificial sound, which others do better.

And while we are nitpicking: Switching from navigation to climate control remains. This is always somewhat cumbersome and was solved better in the EV3 in our opinion: With an extra mini-screen between the two 12.3-inch main displays, which can also be expanded to the large central screen and rocker switches a floor below. Especially since the climate control still does not quite please: With air conditioning, it quickly becomes chilly in the EV6, driving in Eco-Mode, it only cools and heats ultra discreetly – then windows can quickly fog up in cooler seasons. So you set to “windows,” upon which the fan immediately blasts loudly and disturbs the newly found peace. A crux that the EV6 shares with most electric vehicles.

Optionally, you can also command the EV6 a bit more and more easily by voice, although it still does not set benchmarks here, nor with the steering intervention, which is much more subtle, but still not ideal. The absolutely perfect “assisting” like a BMW i5 saves the EV6 even after the facelift.