Photographs by Ishaan Jaiswal
The Kia EV6 didn’t really need fixing, and that’s precisely why this 2025 facelift works so well. Standing under the harsh summer sun at Kia’s Andhra Pradesh factory – a two-hour drive from Bengaluru through increasingly sparse terrain – the subtle evolution of its flagship electric crossover becomes clear. This isn’t an evolution, but a careful refinement of what was already one of the most compelling electric vehicles on the market. The changes are measured, thoughtful, and exactly what the EV6 needed to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded segment.
From the outside, the updates are subtle but effective. The most noticeable change comes at the front, where the LED daytime running lights now stretch downward in sharp triangular formations, giving the face a more aggressive, almost predatory look. At the rear, the light signatures have been tweaked slightly, but the overall silhouette remains unmistakably EV6 – a crisp blend of coupe sleekness and SUV presence that earned it Red Dot Design Awards. Our test car wore a vibrant red shade that highlighted every curve, though the matte blue version parked nearby was arguably even more striking. The flush door handles still deploy with that satisfying sci-fi precision, and yes, the grenade-shaped key fob – complete with its dramatic detonator-style buttons – makes a welcome return.
The real fun happens once you’re behind the wheel. After spending the morning wrestling with the hulking EV9, slipping into the EV6’s low-slung cockpit felt like swapping a yacht for a speedboat. The driving position is perfect – low enough to feel sporty but with enough elevation to maintain that crossover ground clearance. The redesigned steering wheel fits beautifully in the hands, its physical buttons a welcome reprieve from the haptic nonsense plaguing so many of its European rivals. Toggle the drive mode selector into Sport, plant your foot, and prepare for the kind of acceleration that rearranges internal organs.
The numbers tell part of the story – 315 bhp and 61.69 kgm of torque from the dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, 0-100 kph in 5.2 seconds – but they don’t capture the sensation. Electric acceleration is always immediate, but the EV6 delivers it with a ferocity that pins you back in the seat with violent intent. What’s more impressive is how this 2-tonne vehicle handles corners. The low centre of gravity, courtesy of that floor-mounted 84 kWh battery pack, keeps body roll in check, while the substantial tyres cling to the tarmac with a tenacious grip. Chuck it into a corner and the EV6 dances with an eagerness that belies its practical crossover form. The steering isn’t the best with feedback, but it’s precise and well-weighted, making it easy to place the car exactly where you want it.
Braking from triple-digit speeds reveals another strength – the chassis remains totally composed, the suspension (neither too stiff nor too soft) absorbing punishment without drama. This balance between sportiness and comfort is where the EV6 truly shines. It’s happy to play the quiet, comfortable cruiser when you want, then transform into a back-road bruiser at the twist of a drive-mode dial. The new 84 kWh battery pack brings with it an interesting paradox – while capacity has increased from the previous 77.4 kWh, the official ARAI-certified range has actually decreased from 708 km to 650 km. Real-world expectations settle around 450-500 km, depending on driving style, which remains more than adequate, especially when paired with 350 kW DC fast charging, which can take the battery from 10-80 per cent in just 18 minutes. This is also something we will have to try out, once these superfast chargers are rolled out at more locations around the country. Also, we had the car just for an hour, so we really couldn’t get a proper range test in; the previous generation EV6 used to get quite close to its claimed range, so hopefully the same holds true for this car
Get inside and the updates become more apparent. The dual 12.3-inch screens now feature sharper graphics and a more intuitive interface, while the redesigned centre console cleans up the button layout. The matte-finish climate controls feel expensive to the touch, a small detail that speaks volumes about the attention to quality throughout the cabin. What’s most impressive is how Kia has resisted the temptation to go all-in on touch controls – physical buttons and knobs remain for key functions, a welcome dose of common sense in an industry increasingly obsessed with minimalist interiors that prioritise form over function.
The driving position is superb, with ample adjustment to suit all body types, and the seats strike a perfect balance between support and comfort. Rear seat passengers benefit from the flat floor inherent to dedicated EV platforms, though the swooping roofline does exact a small penalty in headroom for taller occupants. The cargo area remains practical, if not class-leading, with the fastback silhouette limiting capacity compared to more upright SUVs. It’s a fair trade, though, for the EV6’s standout styling.
At ₹65.9 lakh (ex-showroom), the EV6 occupies an interesting space in the market. It’s not cheap, especially considering it’s imported as a CBU, rather than locally assembled like its Hyundai Ioniq 5 cousin. That price premium buys you exclusivity and design flair that still turns heads two years after its initial launch, along with a driving experience that few electric crossovers can match. The Ioniq 5 may offer better value, but the EV6 counters with superior driving dynamics and a more cohesive, premium feel throughout.
What makes the EV6 special isn’t any single standout feature, but how everything comes together so well. The design remains fresh and distinctive, in a sea of increasingly generic electric crossovers. The driving experience delivers genuine engagement, which is rare in the EV world. The interior balances technology and usability with intelligence. This facelift hasn’t reinvented the formula, but it didn’t need to – instead, it’s carefully addressed a few weak points, while amplifying all the qualities that made the original so compelling.
