KIA EV6 2022 electric car owner review

Professor B drives a KIA EV6 GT Line 77.4kWh 2022.

This is Professor B’s second electric car, he’s owned the KIA EV6 from new and drives 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 5,000-10,000 miles and he achieves 250 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the KIA EV6?

To be green & to futureproof my motoring.

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Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

Quiet
smooth
cheap fuel (at first).

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

Low headroom
complicated dashboard – errors possible
poor heater
poor range in winter
charger anxiety!!
very poor dealer.

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

Very poor dealer service, the car went in for no heater and I had to battle to get a suitable loan car. I phoned & was told it was just going away on a transporter (60 miles). After 5 days, I phoned again & was told that “they would find out & phone back”. Late afternoon, I phoned the other garage. They had the car but didn’t know whose it was or what was wrong with it!

I created a row & was told that they would start work that evening. Next day, they told me that they had fixed the heater (software update) but that there was a safety recall item that would be fixed the next day. I then had to wait a week for it to be transported back. Apparently, my main dealer had no trained technicians for all of 2022. Soon after, I traded the car in. The KIA dealer bought it back for £1,500 more than he offered me.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

It had various advanced features but they all felt rather unfinished for a car of this price
the centre console ‘buttons’ were switchable dual function, very messy to use
the seat heater touch buttons were accidentally touched everytime you changed the centre controls!

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car

The under-bonnet locker was a good idea.

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

Because of the nightmare of charging – time it takes & availability of fast/working chargers, on journeys, I have reverted back to a plug-in hybrid. It is great locally, charging is quick, economy is good & range is not a problem. It’s more comfortable too.

Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements

The charger is badged as Scottish Power but doesn’t have a model number
the plug cover & holder are not well designed for non-use
I have charged 3 different cars at home and each had a different port location. The current car is the most difficult to charge as the cable is a bit short.

Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements

I am on EDF’s standard tariff – I usually charge overnight for convenience and I have solar panels & a solar battery. In summer it costs very little.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

Because of where I live I mainly use ChargePoint Scotland. There seem to be few above 50kW public (non-Tesla) charge points in Scotland. The large green charge centre at the park & ride outside Stirling is convenient for journeys & has 50 points.

Insurer – outline both positive & negative elements

Saga – I found no difference from my previous diesel cars.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a KIA EV6

Not easy to say as we changed to electric during lockdown. We stopped towing a large caravan & did much less mileage. We also changed to a smaller electric car, the KIA e-Niro 4. Scottish charge points were mainly free. Also there were less electric cars on the road. Tax was free. Insurance was about the same.

*library image used.