New SUV

2022 Kia EV6 is a 577-hp, fast-charging crossover that showcases a new design direction

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Mar 30, 2021, 8:42 am

The Kia EV6 is coming to North America in a few months, boasting impressive performance.

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

The future of Kia is here. The first model built on Kia's new dedicated electric vehicle platform, the 2022 Kia EV6 brings rapid acceleration, quick charging capability, and advanced driver assistance features to the table all in a crossover package that features a fresh design.

At its front, the 2022 EV6 has a new take on Kia's typical 'tiger nose' grille. The 'Digital Tiger Face' features daytime running lights that include a sequential dynamic light pattern. The sides are sleek with a character line that runs from the bottom of the doors to the rear wheel arches. A sloping C-pillar has a gloss black insert and above sits a wing-type roof spoiler.

The car's 114-inch wheelbase is about 11 inches longer than the Kia Soul's. That helps the crossover get the same cabin space of a midsize SUV out of its compact package.

2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line

2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

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The EV6 will be sold in two different two trim levels, GT-Line and GT. Kia will also sell the model in a variety of powertrain configurations. Long-range models will have 77.4 kilowatt-hour battery packs while standard-range has 58.0-kilowatt-hour packs. Buyers can get the EV6 GT-Line with either powertrain. The EV6 GT will only be available with a long-range battery.

Kia has given standard-range versions of the car one electric motor while all-wheel drive EV6s have one motor at the front and one at the back. The 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery has a total output of 577 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque.

The crossover has the ability to get up to 316 miles (WLTP) on a single charge. The long-range, two-wheel drive EV6 is the most efficient. This model can get from zero to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds. The performance-focused EV6 GT accelerates from zero to 62 mph in a quick 3.5 seconds. That model has a top speed of 161 mph.

The GT version gets an exclusive electronic limited slip differential.

The crossover will be capable of charging at a speed of 800 volts, getting from 10 to 80 percent charge in just 18 minutes. That would allow the car to get 62 miles of range in as little as 4.5 minutes. Currently, 800-volt charging is rare. Called ultra-rapid chargers, the high-powered machines deliver the fastest charge currently available to a modern vehicle. The Porsche Taycan can utilize these types of chargers but most other EVs cannot due to their strength.

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The car's electronics allow for new vehicle-to-load functionality that is capable of discharging energy from the battery to supply power, up to 3.6-kilowatt-hours worth. That's enough to power a 55-inch television or air conditioner.

Kia's regenerative braking system allows for power to be regained at various levels, regulated via paddles on the steering wheel. One-pedal driving is available.

Kia has made the seats out of recycled plastic, each has the material from 111 plastic bottles.

A curved infotainment system sits on the dashboard housing the all-digital instrument cluster and infotainment touch screen under one housing. Each measures 12 inches. The car also features an augmented reality head-up display system that shows alerts from the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), vehicle speed, and turn-by-turn navigation instructions.

Kia has renamed its Uvo technology "Kia Connect" and added real time services and over-the-air updates for the new model. The system can give drivers details on charging point pricing, allow them to see their charging status, plan smart charging schedules, and check range radius.

A 14-speaker Meridian sound system is available. Active Sound Design is also available. It provides drivers with audible feedback to the speed the car is traveling via the interface.

Kia has given the EV6 flexible interior packaging and numerous storage areas. There's 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row erect. With those seats folded, the number increases to 45.9 cubic feet. That's slightly less than what you'll get in a Kia Niro. There's also a front trunk that provides an additional 1.83 cubic feet of cargo space for two-wheel drive models while all-wheel drive versions get less than half of that.

The crossover has a long list of standard and available safety technology including Safe Exit Assist, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, highway drive assist with lane change functionality, and remote parking assist (Kia's version of Hyundai's Smart Park, made famous by the Super Bowl ads last year).

The EV6 will be produced in South Korea. It will go on-sale in select global markets starting from the second half of 2021, with online reservations beginning from March 30 in some markets.

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Volkswagen will revive Scout name for new EVs

VW purchased the rights to the iconic Scout name and plans to make new EVs under the brand.

Volkswagen

Automakers bring back names and brands from the past all the time, but it's not every day that a major company purchases a brand name specifically for the purpose of reviving it. That's exactly what Volkswagen just did with Scout, the name of an ultra-popular off-road SUV that was built by International Harvester in the 1960s and 1970s.

As for the types of vehicles we'll see from the brand, we currently only have the renders to go on. The pickup truck and SUV both feature throwback styling that is reminiscent of the original Scout shapes. Beefy off-road tires and lifted suspension are the only other clues available in the drawings.

Volkswagen has its own EVs, and its other brands like Audi and Porsche have made significant progress with electric vehicles as well. That said, VW doesn't really have a solid off-road option from any of its brands at the moment, so the Scout purchase opens doors for the automaker in that arena.

The announcement sounds exciting, but we've still got plenty of time to wait before there's a Scout-branded EV on the roads. Volkswagen said the plan is to release vehicles by 2026, but it won't be sitting idle between now and then. The VW ID.4 is still very fresh and the automaker says it will launch a total of 25 new EVs in the U.S. by 2030.

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New luxury EV

Lexus announces all-electric RZ 450e

Lexus just announced the new RZ 450e

Lexus

Lexus and Toyota have finally jumped onto the EV train, and we’ll soon see new all-electric SUVs from both. The Lexus variant, named RZ 450e, features a reasonable range, upscale interior, and neat all-wheel drive technology. We don’t have firm pricing for the Lexus, but expect it to start in the mid-to-high $40,000 range.

2023 Lexus RZRange is expected to reach 225 miles per chage. Lexus

The RZ shares a platform and much of its underlying engineering with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, but will take a more upscale approach. Though its size and overall shape are similar to the others, the Lexus’ exterior styling is sharper and sportier, with functional aerodynamic bodywork. A new Lexus logo is spelled out on the rear gate, instead of the traditional “L” of previous models.

The SUV comes with a 71.4-kWh battery that should deliver a range of around 225 miles on a charge. All-wheel drive is standard, and uses the RZ’s dual electric motors to shift power between the wheels that need it most.

Inside, the RZ features a minimalist, open space with controls meant to remind drivers of a horse’s reins. Ultrasuede upholstery and woodgrain trim come standard. Lexus notes the RZ’s head-up display is controllable via steering wheel-mounted buttons that handle navigation, audio, and other functions.

2023 Lexus RZThough similar to the Toyota bZ4X inside, the Lexus IS more upscale and minimalist. Lexus

Speaking of the steering wheel, the first RZs will be available with a round wheel only, but later on, Lexus will offer a yoke-style wheel like the one seen in the Toyota bZ4X concept and Tesla’s Plaid models.

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