Car Review: It’s a brave time to be alive when you can buy a rear-wheel-drive Kia SUV, powered exclusively by batteries. While most electric cars roam in the six-figure realm, the 2022 Kia EV6 Air undercuts its rivals significantly at $67,990 before on-road costs.
Despite that still being beyond the reach of the average family, it’s a step towards less expensive electric cars. With a long waiting list though, questions about it being worth the wait will surely be raised.
First impressions of the entry-grade EV6 Air are positive though. It’s a striking vehicle in the flesh, with a handsome face, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a spaceship-esque lightbar at the rear.
The seven-colour paint palette is appreciable too, with our vehicle being finished in the stunning Runway Red. Although Kia market it as an “electric crossover SUV”, we argue it looks more like a rugged wagon – giving off Audi A4 Allroad vibes.
We only wish Kia offered a sleeker, all-electric sedan to cater for buyers uninterested in a tall ride height. The futurism flows into the cabin too, with a minimalist layout, excellent all-round visibility, and eco-friendly materials.
Like other manufacturers, Kia have borrowed a page from the previous Mercedes-Benz S-Class with a dual 12.3-inch screen setup. Both the driver and infotainment screens are crystal clear and effortless to operate on the move, which is not often the case.
That same panel can also be toggled to display shortcut buttons for infotainment, which is a clever way of keeping the cabin decluttered. What’s not so nifty is the circular gear selector, which is awkwardly placed where an infotainment swivel wheel should be.
The Air is also equipped with almost every driver aid known to mankind. This includes but is not limited to autonomous emergency braking, driver attention alert, blind spot collision warning and safe exit warning.
If you want extra goodies, such as the 3D surround view monitor, blind spot view monitor, and autonomous parking, you will need to step up to the GT-Line.
Get the full review and many more at our publishing partner, Exhaust Notes Australia.
Our test vehicle was provided by Kia Australia.
Review by Mustafa Arifeen