scorecardI drove Kia's futuristic $41,000 electric SUV. Take a photo tour of the sleek EV6.
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  4. I drove Kia's futuristic $41,000 electric SUV. Take a photo tour of the sleek EV6.

I drove Kia's futuristic $41,000 electric SUV. Take a photo tour of the sleek EV6.

Tim Levin   

I drove Kia's futuristic $41,000 electric SUV. Take a photo tour of the sleek EV6.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.Tim Levin/Insider
  • I drove the 2022 EV6, Kia's latest and sleekest electric SUV.
  • The little SUV has eye-catching looks, a bold interior, and up to 310 miles of range.

Sleek new electric cars are taking the world by storm, from Ford's Mustang Mach-E to Tesla's Model Y.

Sleek new electric cars are taking the world by storm, from Ford
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

I got to drive one of the coolest and best-selling battery-powered cars: the Kia EV6.

I got to drive one of the coolest and best-selling battery-powered cars: the Kia EV6.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

Here's everything you need to know about the futuristic little SUV.

Here
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

The EV6 starts at around $41,000 for a rear-wheel-drive model with 167 horsepower and 232 miles of range, as estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The EV6 starts at around $41,000 for a rear-wheel-drive model with 167 horsepower and 232 miles of range, as estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

All other EV6 models have a larger battery pack, which provides 310 miles of range in rear-wheel-drive cars.

All other EV6 models have a larger battery pack, which provides 310 miles of range in rear-wheel-drive cars.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

That puts it near the top of its segment, right up there with the Tesla Model Y.

That puts it near the top of its segment, right up there with the Tesla Model Y.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

The EV6 is also available with all-wheel drive, which boosts acceleration but decreases range.

The EV6 is also available with all-wheel drive, which boosts acceleration but decreases range.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

The EV6 GT-Line RWD model Kia loaned me for a weekend came out to around $53,000.

The EV6 GT-Line RWD model Kia loaned me for a weekend came out to around $53,000.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

There's no denying it — the EV6 is a major head-turner and sticks out from the sea of boring-looking SUVs.

There
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

Driving around New York City, the EV6's low ride height, funky integrated spoiler, angry front end, and sharply slanted roof consistently grabbed the attention of bystanders.

Driving around New York City, the EV6
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

It's a car that you just feel cool driving around in.

It
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

The EV6 looks like a sporty little hatchback, and it performs like one too.

The EV6 looks like a sporty little hatchback, and it performs like one too.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

It handles great thanks to its low center of gravity. And it has direct, precise steering that makes it a blast to whip around corners.

It handles great thanks to its low center of gravity. And it has direct, precise steering that makes it a blast to whip around corners.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

It's much more entertaining to drive than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which it shares a platform with.

It
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 charges at an Electrify America fast charging station.      Tim Levin/Insider

The rear-wheel-drive model I drove didn't accelerate with the breathtaking force of some more powerful EVs. But it's still pretty quick and kept things interesting.

The rear-wheel-drive model I drove didn
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

One major advantage of the EV6: ultra-fast charging speeds.

One major advantage of the EV6: ultra-fast charging speeds.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

The SUV is engineered to use the most powerful fast-charging stations around.

The SUV is engineered to use the most powerful fast-charging stations around.
The 2022 Kia EV6.      Tim Levin/Insider

Using a 350-kilowatt plug, the SUV can replenish its battery from 10% to 80% (217 miles in long-range models) in a mere 18 minutes, Kia says. That's a game-changer for road trips with multiple charging stops.

Using a 350-kilowatt plug, the SUV can replenish its battery from 10% to 80% (217 miles in long-range models) in a mere 18 minutes, Kia says. That
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

Stick an included adapter into the charging port, and you can plug in all manner of appliances and tailgating gear.

Stick an included adapter into the charging port, and you can plug in all manner of appliances and tailgating gear.
The 2022 Kia EV6.      Tim Levin/Insider

I used the EV6's power-sharing capability to make a breakfast consisting of an espresso and some toast.

I used the EV6
The 2022 Kia EV6.      Tim Levin/Insider

Get behind the wheel of the EV6 and you’ll see a sporty, maximalist interior full of bold patterns and contrasting colors.

Get behind the wheel of the EV6 and you’ll see a sporty, maximalist interior full of bold patterns and contrasting colors.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

There are also plenty of shiny, metallic accents.

There are also plenty of shiny, metallic accents.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

It's a far cry from the muted, minimalist cabin of the Ioniq 5.

It
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.      Tim Levin/Insider

The suede and vegan-leather seats were comfortable and nicely bolstered.

The suede and vegan-leather seats were comfortable and nicely bolstered.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

Up front, there are two 12.3-inch screens on a cool, curved panel.

Up front, there are two 12.3-inch screens on a cool, curved panel.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

The main touchscreen is for apps like the media player and navigation, while the driver's screen shows speed, range, and other key information. I found the center display intuitive and responsive to taps and swipes.

The main touchscreen is for apps like the media player and navigation, while the driver
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

One add-on I loved in my tester was the blind-spot cameras. When you use the turn signal, the relevant blind-spot view appears right in front of you, which helps with merges.

One add-on I loved in my tester was the blind-spot cameras. When you use the turn signal, the relevant blind-spot view appears right in front of you, which helps with merges.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

While there's a surprising amount of room inside the EV6, its sporty, teardrop shape and thick pillars hamper rearward visibility.

While there
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

Its slanted roof also cuts into cargo space. It has 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Its slanted roof also cuts into cargo space. It has 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

Electric cars like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Polestar 2, and all Teslas have a front trunk under the hood. But there isn't one in the EV6.

Electric cars like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Polestar 2, and all Teslas have a front trunk under the hood. But there isn
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

The Kia instead offers a small compartment that's best used for a mobile charging cord or some (very) small items.

The Kia instead offers a small compartment that
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

All in all, the EV6 is fun to drive, charges quickly, and is attractively designed inside and out.

All in all, the EV6 is fun to drive, charges quickly, and is attractively designed inside and out.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider

It's a fantastic choice for your next electric car.

It
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line.      Tim Levin/Insider
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