Kia’s version of the Ioniq 5 has been on the market for several years now, but sadly, it hasn’t taken the market by storm quite like its Hyundai cousin. It has the right stuff; its styling, surprising performance, and more-than-capable charging makes it a solid alternative to a Tesla Model 3, so what gives? Fortunately, this 2025 Kia EV6 is refreshed and boasts several improvements, so let’s see if it has the goods to turn things around.
What’s new for 2025?
The EV6 sees several changes and updates for the 2025 mode year over last year’s offerings. Some are quite apparent and showcase the Koreans’ ability to move forward quickly with improvements to keep their vehicles competitive and relevant, but most of them are under the skin and out of sight. Either way, the updates are pretty significant.
Our EV6 tester is the GT-Line trim. It receives a larger 84 kWh battery, which is up from the previous 77.4 kWh unit. This may not sound like much but every bit counts in a very competitive market. Our tester also has all-wheel-drive, meaning range now comes in at 436 kilometres in ideal conditions. Add in one of the fastest charging rates out there, at 225 kW, and the Kia EV6 is a viable EV for road trips. Plug into a 350 kW fast-charger and look for a 10-to-80 per cent charge in all of 18 minutes. On a 150 kW charger, it’ll take just over half an hour.
Another charging update is the switch to an NACS charging port currently used by Tesla. This provides EV6 owners access to a much larger, much faster charging network across all of North America. Kia includes two adaptors, so you can charge at NACS or CCS stations accordingly. More options is always a good thing.
Kia EV6 interior and exterior updates
Outside, the 2025 EV6 gets a minor facelift. New headlights and a revised front bumper start things off with a more aggressive look, and the bumper adds just over half an inch to the EV6’s overall length. It also rolls on new wheel designs, and the full-width light bar out back remains. In fact, the EV6’s overall the shape remains the same, but that’s not a bad thing. It remains one of the better-looking EVs in the segment, especially with this year’s facelift.
The interior of the EV6 remains a highlight. The striking and unique layout remains, looking modern and sporty versus cold and minimalist, like Teslas and some Volvos. It still uses high-quality materials throughout, and sees some software updates. For 2025, it receives wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Finally! Kia made some improvements to their infotainment; the interface seems to run even smoother now, which is welcome but unexpected since it was never an issue to begin with. I’ll take it.
How does the 2025 EV6 drive?
Performance from the 2025 Kia EV6 is impressive. The GT-Line is based off the Land AWD trim, which gives you access to 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers aren’t crazy high, but look for a speedy zero-to-100 km/h run of about 4.5 seconds — faster than most cars on the road, even some sports cars. Sadly, Canada no longer gets the hyper EV6 GT. If you want that kind of power, you can opt for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and all its goodies.
Among all the other changes for 2025, Kia also reworked the EV6’s suspension for much improved handling and ride quality. The steering system is improved with a belt-type steering column design similar to what’s in the Ioniq 5 N, resulting in steering response and precision you don’t normally expect in a vehicle like this. The chassis remains well-composed and at least compared to certain competitors, like the Equinox EV, the difference is night-and-day in terms of driving feel and enjoyment.
Is the 2025 EV6 worth it?
The EV6 starts at a reasonable $52,146, but climbing through the various trims and packages, look for an as-tested price of $65,245 as-tested for our range-topping EV6 GT-Line tester. It’s not cheap compared to options like the Equinox EV, but the refreshed 2025 Kia EV6 is still a great option for all its welcome improvements. It looks great inside and out, offers healthy range, and the new NACS charge port giving access to Tesla’s Supercharger network makes this EV a strong contender.
