The Kia EV6 gets several high-tech features like an augmented reality heads-up display and ADAS technology. We bring you a detailed look.

Published on May 31, 2022 08:00:00

kia has started taking bookings for its first-ever electric car for India – the EV6 crossover for a symbolic amount of Rs 3 lakh. The EV6 is a radically styled crossover from Kia based on that of the Hyundai group E GMP Electrical Architecture. As Kia’s flagship EV model, the EV6 offers cutting-edge technology. With the help of tech experts from Fabric Indiawe bring you an in-depth overview of all the technologies on offer and how they work in the real world.

2022 Kia EV6: Interior engineering, infotainment screen and audio system

Enter the well-designed cabin and what immediately catches your eye are two 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screens that are curved and angled toward the driver. Also interesting is the floating center console, which releases a lot of practical storage space. We also like how Kia has retained physical knobs for HVAC and media volume.

Interior appeal is further enhanced by elements such as 64-color ambient lighting, a textured dashboard design, and a superbly built driver dial. The EV6 uses recycled PET for much of the trim and vegan leather for the heated and cooled seats. This means that the cabin is not only technically large, but also at the top in terms of sustainability.

One interesting aspect we found was that the HVAC and infotainment systems share a touch panel and you have to toggle between modes (HVAC infotainment) to access their functions. It’s innovative, but a little unsafe and awkward to use, as you have to take your eyes off the road to see what mode the panel is in, then toggle it if necessary, and then type your command.

The EV6’s heads-up display has a little party trick – it offers augmented reality with turn-by-turn navigation signs, traffic alerts and more. Like most premium electric vehicles, Kia offers easily accessible driving modes. In fact, the entire cabin feels ergonomically sorted, although like the Audi e-tron, Kia could have had charging ports on either side of the car.

Kia has “engineered” sounds like Cyborg, Dynamic and Standard to be routed through the car’s 14-speaker Meridian audio system, but none of them really sound special. They are amusing at best and better off. The Meridian system is better utilized as a sound system as the audio quality is brilliant with great depth, clarity and punch, all customizable via Meridian’s custom sound menu.

2022 Kia EV6: ADAS, charging and battery technology

The technology in the EV6 is not just limited to fancy screens. The car features advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) with features like front collision avoidance, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control to keep you safe even when you’re easily distracted. The surround view camera has an excellent resolution image and is displayed on your Kia Connect phone app.

The crossover has a full range of USB C, USB A, a 12V socket and even a full 16A 3-pin socket under the back seat to charge your laptop or external devices such as a projector, fridge or camping gear ! This vehicle-to-load capability is made possible by a larger 77.4kWh battery pack, which has enough power not only to power other devices, but also to charge another electric vehicle in an emergency. Vehicle-to-vehicle charging is much slower and is intended only to get another EV out of a sticky situation. But with charging infrastructure still scarce and range anxiety still lingering, it could find utility.

The EV6 can be charged via a 350kW DC fast charger, with Kia claiming it can go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in 18 minutes. A more realistic 50kWh fast charger will deliver a claimed 10 to 80 percent charge in a respectable 75 minutes.

2022 Kia EV6: rivals and positioning

Based on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP electrical architecture, the Kia EV6 fits neatly between the MG ZS EV and other expensive electric vehicles like that Audi etron, Mercedes-Benz EQC and the upcoming Volvo XC40 Recharge. Prices for the Kia EV6 are expected to be in the Rs 55-60 range when it launches on June 2nd.

Its main competitor, the XC40 Recharge, will come with features like wireless charging, connected car tech, power front seats with memory, and a whole host of ADAS technologies that enable Level 2 autonomous driving. Volvo will also offer a Harman Kardon sound system and Apple CarPlay.

Technically, EVs are well equipped at both ends of the spectrum (MG ZS EV and Audi e-tron). The ZS EV comes with features like a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 360-degree camera and driving assistance features like lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as MG’s i-Smart connected car technology. The e-tron gets features like a “Virtual Cockpit” instrument cluster, adaptive air suspension, four-zone climate control and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system for higher variants.

See also:

Kia EV6 review: Targets luxury EVs

2022 Kia EV6 video review

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