Kia EV6 to launch in PH on March 21, here’s what you need to know

Kia Philippines is set to join the electric revolution in the country with the introduction of its first fully electric vehicle to its local lineup. Initially previewed at the 2022 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), the Kia EV6 will officially be launched this coming March 21, 2023.

The Kia EV6 is the Korean automaker’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) offering, revealed to the world in 2021. It is built on the Electric Global Modular Platform, shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 which is also set to make its local debut soon. It will be available in one variant locally, the GT-Line Long Range.

Powering the Kia EV6 GT-Line Long Range is a 77.4 kWh Lithium-ion battery. It can drive 528 km when fully charged. Its single electric motor is good for 229 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque which allows it to go from 0 to 100 kph in 7.3 seconds.

Charging time varies depending on the charger being used and is as follows:

• DC fast charging (10%-80%) – 18 minutes (350 kW) or 73 minutes (50 kW)
• AC normal charging (10%-100%) – 7 hours and 20 minutes (11 kW)

On the other hand, compatible charging ports are Type 2 and CCS2 which are what can be found in most charging stations around the country.

As for its design, the Kia EV6 gets a sleek and sporty front fascia characterized by its tiger nose front panel, aggressive bumper, and large full LED headlights. The side features smooth and clean lines and hidden door handles. The vehicle also rides on large 20-inch alloy wheels. Towards the rear, it gets a futuristic look with slim LED taillights and a full width light bar. It also gets a sloping roof line for aerodynamics.

Moving inside, the EV6 gets a more subdued but still modern and premium look with lots of technology features expected from an EV. The main highlights here are the dual 12.3-inch curved screens for the driver’s instrument cluster and infotainment system which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired to a 14-speaker Meridian Surround Sound System. Thanks to its platform and wheelbase (almost as long as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class), space is plentiful. The seats are also wrapped in a combination of suede and vegan leather (eco-friendly leather).

Other standard stuff are a regular-sized sunroof, push button start, leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddles for regenerative braking, electronic parking brake with auto hold, cooled and heated front seats, heated rear seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

In terms of safety, the Kia EV6 is also loaded with the brand’s suite of driver-assist systems. This is composed of Smart (adaptive) Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, and a 360-degree Around-view Monitor. 

Now you’re probably curious about the price. Kia Philippines will announce it at the launch on March 21. Hopefully it will cost a lot less than the initial announcement of less than Php 4-million with the signing of Executive Order 12 which brings the import taxes on EV importation to zero.