The single motor EV6 Air produces 168kW power and 350Nm of torque and a single charge driving range of 528km, with 0-100 acceleration being reached in approximately 7.3 seconds on 19” alloy wheels.

The EV6 Air still comes with an impressive list of standard features, none more important that the additional electric adjustable lumbar support for the driver, perfect for my ageing back.

Charging is best done on a 350kW charger where  the 800V charging capability means the EV6 can go from 10-to-80 per cent battery charge in just 18 minutes. However is you are doing it at home on a normal 10 AMP plug, it takes a LOT LONGER.

We drove the EV6 Air around town on our normal daily routine of about 60-80 km a day. The 500km plus range is ideal for that, but we kept it topped up most nights due to the time to charge at home. It also meant zero localised emissions which helps reduce local pollution.

Electric cars are not the total answer but for some they’re perfect.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

TO LISTEN TO THE EV6 AIR RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Some more EV6 Articles

• Kia EV6 GT launched in Australia
• Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD 2023 Review
• Kia EV6 GT coming very soon
• Kia EV6 GT Line AWD 2022 Review
• Ioniq5 vs EV6 Two cars, same platform but very different approaches
• Kia’s EV6 is coming first quarter 2022

Also look at:

Kia EV6 sits in the middle of the available EV cars. Its mid size but spacious.

You could look at obviously its close cousin the IONIQ5, the new Polestar3,or the Lexus UX300e. The new Subaru Solterra is coming soon and will be a direct competitor.

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. 

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners and they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia

The post Kia EV6 Air RWD review 2023 appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

The EV6 is Kia’s first all electric car and they got it right first up

You immediately notice that this is a beautifully designed car, both visually and functionally.

It’s a crossover SUV design with a sleek sports bonnet and practical hatchback that has a huge opening.

TO LISTEN TO THE EV6 GT LINE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Inside the flat floor allows a different thinking and Kia has made the most of it with clever and practical storage areas, plenty of room for occupants front and back and all the usual comfort and luxury features buyers seem to want in cars today.

Driver ergonomics are excellent and the Australian tuned suspension is compliant yet firm.

The AWD dual motor version has measured outputs of 239kW/605 Nm and hitting 0-100 in approximately 5.2 seconds. The AWD comes with 20” alloy wheels, a range of 484km.

Driving an all-electric car can require a change to your habits, especially if you use the full extent on the one pedal style. Brakes can almost be forgotten.

The Kia EV6 GT Line AWD is priced from $82,990 plus the usual costs

This is a Motoring Minute’

I’m Rob Fraser

Also look at

• Ioniq5 vs EV6 Two cars, same platform but very different approaches
• Hyundai Electric – Ioniq 5 and Kona EV 2022 Motoring Minute Review
• Polestar 3 SUV premieres on 12 October
• BMW iX xDrive40 – telling it like it is
• Lexus UX 300e AWD Sports Luxury 2022 Review
• Subaru Solterra in Australia for testing
• Hyundai NEXO Hydrogen Fuel Cell SUV Review

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. 

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners and they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia

More Kia EV6 notes

Kia EV6, built on the same platform as the Hyundai IONIQ5, is a major play for the Korean brand. It’s the first dedicated electric vehicle built on the groups Electric Global Modular Platform.

That’s important as we will see later, in the designer’s freedom to explore new parameters in design.

The EV6 is the first of seven dedicated BEVs to be built on the E-GMP Platform and displays a future-oriented EV design characterised by high-tech details.

The EV6 is available in two grades; the range focused EV6 Air in rear-wheel drive only (RWD) and top trim GT-Line with RWD or all-wheel drive (AWD) options.

The performance EV6 eGT with follow in late 2022 or early 2023. Can’t wait for that one!

What does the EV6 look like?

Kia EV6 looks good in photos and even better in the flesh. Kudos to the designers.

Electric vehicles can afford some license to stylists and the ‘Digital Tiger Face’ style embodies this freedom.

It looks sleek, wide and modern. The crossover SUV, hatchback style with a body forward profile really works.

The frontal view shows almost a smiling face with LED headlights, DRLs and lower air intake. Part of the optimisation of air flow from the front, the air is channelled through and under the car’s flat floor for optimum aerodynamics. At the rear is a prominent rood spoiler that combines with another one on top of the rear light cluster.

The profile really accentuates the freedom designers have had. It’s highly unusual and stunning at the same time.

In Kia’s own words “. A swept-back windshield provides dynamism and purpose, while bold rear haunches add volume. A character line runs along the bottom of the doors curving upwards towards the rear wheel arches, visually elongating the profile of the car.”

From the rear the bulbous hatch lid completes the aerodynamic design and also allows excellent access to the boot space.

The flat battery underfloor and minimal front and rear overhangs all add to the styling.

The Kia EV6 Air is available in six colours with Glacier White being new to the Kia pallet. EV6 GT-Line is available in five colours, including the striking Moonscape matte paint exclusive to the GT-Line trim, also new to the Kia range.

What is the EV6 like inside?

A blank sheet of paper with a flat floor platform again allowed designers to be bold. And it shows, it’s impressive.

Words that first come to mind are open, minimalist, functional and roomy.

Premium materials are used throughout the EV6 cabin for a welcoming feel and durability.

The cabin is trimmed in a range of sustainable materials, with seats that are slim, lightweight and contemporary.

Sections of the dashboard and centre console are clad in recycled plastics, equivalent to 107 plastic 500ml water bottles per car.

Front seats are particularly comfortable with a slim line design. They are electronically adjusted and heated and ventilated. Plenty of headroom even for taller drivers.

They are trimmed in “Artificial Black Suede/Vegan White Leather with White Stitching”.

In front of the driver is a flat bottom conventional steering wheel housing the usual controls.  This frames the digital driver instrument binnacle that allows a degree of individualisation.

Driver ergonomics

Driver ergonomics are excellent. The wide high-tech curved high-definition audio visual and navigation (AVN) central screen flows seamlessly across the dash.

Below the AVN screen sits the car’s new multi-mode display. This replaces physical buttons with a dedicated capacitive touchscreen, providing easily accessible shortcuts to control HVAC and the infotainment and navigation system.

Instead of delving into sub-menus, the multi-mode display allows quicker access to the car’s most often used features, such as changing the temperature or adjusting the audio volume.

Between the front seats is a practical storage area that shows the benefit of a flat floor platform. Storage areas in general are cavernous and well laid out, but the front USB access is poor.

Rear seats have huge legroom as well. This is even behind the seat for my driving position. They are soft but not sculptured so you tend to sit on them not in them.

Boot space is adequate, but the high opening boot lid is excellent.  

Kia EV6 Features

No matter which EV6 model is chosen, it comes with a long list of standard equipment, generous interior space and premium levels of refinement.

A comprehensive infotainment system consists of a dual 12.3-inch driver display and touchscreen navigation system, together with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay^®.

The EV6 Air features six speakers and a separate USB port for media connection.

All EV6 models come with:

• five seats, feature remote-folding 60:40 split rear seats, with cupholders
• a luggage area load cover, luggage board, luggage net
• Two USB-C charge ports up front, two additional USB-C ports located in the front seat backs for the rear passengers.
• One 12-volt accessory socket in the front tray with another integrated into the boot,
• LED lights for the front and rear luggage areas.
• LED interior lighting
• Storage features include front seatback pockets, front and rear door storage, and a glovebox with illumination.

EV6 Model walk.

The EV6 Air features:

• 19” alloy wheels,
• LED headlights with daytime running lights,
• electrically folding, adjustable and heated door mirrors with integrated LED indicator lights,
• automatic headlight control,
• LED tail lights with rear fog light,
• Rain sensing wipers and an innovative rear spoiler.
• Body coloured exterior flush door handles feature alongside a high gloss black A-pillar garnish, wing mirrors and beltline.
• Seats are trimmed in black cloth and artificial leather upholstery, with power adjustment for the driver’s lumbar support.
• engine start/stop button with smart entry,
• all-round electric windows with driver and front passenger auto up and down functionality and an
• automatic windscreen defog system,
• tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• auto-dimming rear-view mirror,
• dual zone climate control air conditioning,
• electronic park brake (EPB) with auto hold function,
• smart cruise control with stop and go functionality,
• paddle shifters with brake regen control, and
• Steering wheel mounted Bluetooth/audio controls.

The GT-Line models feature:

• larger 20” alloy wheels,
• automatic folding door handles,
• heated & ventilated front seats,
• smart power tailgate
• Meridian premium sound system with 14 speakers and active sound design (ASD)
• augmented reality HUD,
• Remote Smart Park Assist (RSPA),
• 360-degree around view camera system with 3D mode, and
• Blind-Spot View Monitor.

GT-Line AWD option comes with:

• Wide sunroof with tilting and sliding functionality. 

EV6 Motor and drivetrain

The RWD single motor EV6 entry-level Air starts the range off, producing 168kW power and 350Nm of torque and a single charge driving range of 528km, with 0-100 acceleration being reached in approximately 7.3 seconds on 19” alloy wheels.

The RWD single motor is also available as a choice in the GT-Line line-up with 20” alloys as standard, a driving range of 504km.

The optional AWD dual motor really lifts the bar in the GT-Line range, producing 239kW/605 Nm and hitting 0-100 in approximately 5.2 seconds. The AWD comes with 20” alloy wheels, a 484km range.

 Charging

All EV6 models come with a Type 2-to-domestic three-pin plug trickle charger. When using a 350kW charger, the 800V charging capability means the EV6 can go from 10-to-80 per cent battery charge in just 18 minutes.

The range also comes with the EV6’s interior vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that drastically improves charging flexibility. An Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) enables up to 3.6kW of power to be discharged from the vehicle’s battery.

Inside the cabin, a handy charging port located under the rear seats allows passengers to charge devices from the vehicle’s battery without the need for additional adapters. The EV6’s own battery is preserved by ensuring state of charge does not fall below 20 per cent, at which point V2L is disabled.

GT-Line models come with the EV6’s exterior vehicle-to-load (V2L) function. The adapter plug enables the EV6 to charge anything from external domestic appliances to other EVs (with a trickle charger).

Ride & Handling

Kia prides themselves on tuning the suspension of every car to localised Australian conditions.

The result is worth the effort.

EV6 incorporates an advanced frequency dependent damper technology by ZF Sachs’ termed Selective Damping Control 3 (SDC3).

Kia is the first mainstream brand to utilise this technology following on from prestigious makes AMG and Maserati. SDC3 is able to optimise damping forces dependent on frequency to offer both comfortable ride comfort and excellent body control.

EV6 is compliant with absorbent rough road ride, with rounded feel in urban environments.

Handling is balanced and flat with excellent grip and mid corner response. Excellent power delivery with confident and engaging driving dynamics.

Sound absorbent materials in the floor, wheel arches, doors, boot lid and tyres reduce road and wind noise, creating a quiet and serene space for all occupants.

Acoustic windshield and door glass further on GT-line models improve the on-board experience giving the EV6 a sound rating equal to higher-class premium models.

Towing

The EV6 with the 77.4kWh battery pack is designed to tow up to 1,600kg with trailer brakes in RWD and AWD configurations, 750kg unbraked and has a 100kg downball weight.

Kia EV6 Safety

The EV6 comes with a five star ANCAP safety rating.

A suite of safety devices feature on the EV6, including:

• Full suite of airbags
• Front and rear parking sensors
• reversing camera system with dynamic guidelines,
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian, cyclist detection with junction turning assist,
• drive mode select system,
• Hill-start assist control (HAC),
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA),
• Lane Follow Assist (LFA),
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA),
• Driver Attention Warning with lead vehicle departure alert (DAW+),
• Multi-Collision Brake (MCB),
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and a
• Tyre Mobility Kit (TMK).
• Two child seat ISOFIX anchor points and three top tether anchor points for the rear seats,
• Headrests are all individually adjustable

Kia EV6 GT Line AWD final thoughts

Yep like it heaps.

It looks great, with a practical layout inside and room for four in comfort.

The feeling of space cannot be overstated.

Driving the EV6 requires a change to driving habits as does planning to recharge. Range isn’t bad though.

This car could almost convince me to buy an EV, almost

The post Kia EV6 GT Line AWD 2022 Review appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

Kia now has four different powertrains for the Sorento, diesel, petrol, hybrid electric and plug in hybrid electric.

Now I have taken many a long trip over the years in the Kia Sorento, It’s an excellent long distance cruiser, but this was the first in a hybrid and I was curious to see how it went.

 TO LISTEN TO THE Sorento Hybrid RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

This particular vehicle was a front wheel drive version and as usual for KIA they packed a heap of luxury, comfort and safety features in there. I especially appreciated the heated electric seats with additional lumbar support as the trip was cold and wet and long.

Sorento Hybrid is powered by a 1.6l petrol engine that produces 132kW and 265Nm from 1600rpm. The electric motor adds another 44kW and interestingly 264Nm from 0-1500rpm. That’s instantaneous torque.

The beauty of hybrid engines is that there is no range anxiety, they drive like a normal petrol engine but with better economy. We ran at around 7.9l/100k over the trip which was ok. However long distance trips don’t showcase the hybrids qualities best.

Priced from $66,750 the Kia Sorento HEV GT-Line is good value as a family SUV

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

Some Other Sorento Articles

• 1- Kia Sorento GT Line PHEV 2022 Motoring Minute Review
• 2 – Kia Sorento Sport Plus AWD SUV 2021 Review
• 3 – Kia Sorento PHEV AWD SUV 2021 Review
• 4 – All-new Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid – PHEV
• 5 – Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid added to model range
• 6 – Kia Sorento GT Line 3.5L Petrol SUV 2021 Review
• 7 – Kia Sorento GT-Line AWD 2021 Review
• 8 – Kia Sorento GT Line 2021 Radio Review
• 9 – Kia Sorento Radio Review

Also Look At

• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Peugeot 5008 GT
• Skoda Kodiaq
• Mazda CX-8
• Haval H6 Hybrid
• Toyota Kluger Hybrid

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. 

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners and they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia.

Kia Sorento Hybrid (HEV) Model Details

Released in April 2022, the Hybrid (HEV) GT-Line FWD and AWD has joined the Sorento range locally. This addition sees Sorento as the only vehicle available in Australia to offer naturally aspirated petrol, diesel, PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) and HEV variants.

“Sorento already provided one of the most versatile, practical and spacious large SUVs on the market and now in an industry first, it also offers Australian buyers the most diverse powertrain lineup to choose from within a model range,” said Kia’s Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith.

“The addition of PHEV and HEV options to the popular Sorento range is another example of Kia’s progress in vehicle electrification. Along with the recently launched and award winning EV6, and the next-generation Niro range of electric vehicles arriving in the very near future, Kia Australia is offering a variety of choices in its contribution to a greener future.”

 Sorento Hybrid engine details

The Sorento Parallel Hybrid System is comprised of a Smartstream 1.6 litre turbo petrol engine offering optimal fuel efficiency with impressive power (132kW) and torque (265Nm). 

An electric motor producing 44kW and 264Nm of torque is mounted between the petrol engine and transmission.  This arrangement allows the full output of both the petrol engine and/or electric motor to be transferred in parallel through the transmission, with minimal energy loss.

Combined Petrol + Electric output is 169kW and 350Nm.

Combined Fuel Consumption is 5.3L/100km (FWD) and 5.8L/100km (AWD) respectively on the ADR 81/02 combined fuel cycle.Energy storage is managed by a high voltage 1kWh Lithium-Ion polymer battery located under the vehicle floor.

Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Sorento HEV FWD and AWD are available in GT-line specification only and offer a wide array of safety, comfort and convenience features, including an intelligently designed, customisable 12.3” Driver Digital Cluster providing the status of the hybrid charging system. Its high-resolution screen makes it easy to read with a wealth of information at a glance.

 Sorento Hybrid Features

Designed to improve visibility for blind spots, the Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) uses the side cameras so that when you indicate left or right, the cluster will show the view of the road in your blind spot.

The 10.25” Audio Visual Navigation unit displays charging station locations and information.  The screen can be split in two for easy access to different apps, vehicle information and multimedia content, and allows the control of the 12-speaker BOSE^® premium surround system, which is compatible with wired Android Auto^TM and Apple CarPlay^TM.

 Kia Sorento Range Pricing

*MLP (RRP) Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges)

**Due to the complexity of drive away pricing which varies state by state, particularly when it comes to electric vehicles, national drive away pricing is not available on Sorento HEV and PHEV variants. A drive away price estimation, calculated by state, is available on the Kia website.

The post Kia Sorento Hybrid GT-Line FWD 2022 Review appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks like a hot hatch with a bright interior that focuses on using the space inside the vehicle

The new Kia EV6 is a more flowing design and while classified as an SUV has strong elements of a large sedan.

Both are available with the same one electric motor two-wheel drive or a two electric motor AWD

TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

The base model EV6 AIR is listed at $68,000 while the base Ioniq 5 is listed at nearly $72,000.

The difference is in features. The Hyundai base model has extras such as

• Fully Automated Parking assist
• Driver Fatigue warning
• Side airbags and seat belt pretensioners for the rear passengers
• Ventilated rather than solid disc brakes on the front

One of the most obvious differences was the operation of the door handles.

In both cases they are flush with the door but in the Kia you had to press one end to get it to pivot out.

The Hyundai’s handles would automatically extend to be able to more easily open, whenever the car was unlocked.

One of the other advantages of this is that you could tell if the car was locked from a distance.

The shape of a vehicle can mean so much to a person from their own perspective.

I drove behind a KIA EV6 and had a flash of memory of the Citroen DS.

The rear with the small protrusions from the top of the roof, in the Citroen they were blinkers in the Kia that provide puddle lights. The windows and roof Even from the front with a bonnet that slopes down. The tail slops down a bit on the Kia although the line is broken by the rear airfoil.

The nose of the car sloping down also had a memory spike for me.

My artistic friend felt I was stretching the image a bit but then again he thought the Hyundai Ioniq 5, from directly front on, reminded him of the DeLorean!

The detail pricings before on-road costs are are:

Hyundai Ioniq 5

• 2WD $71,900
• AWD $75,900

Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. 

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. With over 750,000 listeners a week they are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post Ioniq5 vs EV6 Two cars, same platform but very different approaches appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

 My normal daily routine means that I drive about 50-60km to work and back as well as longer drives in the evenings and weekends at the beach or mountains.

The Niro EV catered easily for my driving needs with over 400km available at full charge and when I needed to recharge it was easily plugged in overnight, ready for the next day.

TO LISTEN TO THE NIRO EV RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Driving the NIRO EV was a bit like a go cart, it simply went but the roll on driving style is better than many other EVs that have a sharp deceleration when you take your foot off the accelerator.

Inside it was comfortable and roomy especially for two people which is usually the most it will have. The interior is typically Kia which means well laid out and functional.

Priced from around $65,990 plus the usual costs its expensive and when you consider that the Plug in Electric Hybrid is some $15,000 cheaper and you can get almost the same around town driving benefits as the EV, it’s a high price to pay for a fully electric car.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Brianna Fraser

Some other KIA Niro Reviews

• Kia Niro Hybrid 2021 Review
• KIA Niro PHEV Sport 2021 Review
• KIA Niro Full 2021 Review
• Kia Niro – Mild Hybrid, Plug-In or Full Electric?
• Kia NIRO Australia enters the electrified market

Also Look At

• Honda HRV
• Hyundai Kona Electric
• Subaru Soltera
• Cupra Born
• MG ZS
• Nissan Leaf

*MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options. RDAP means Recommended Drive Away Price (without options but including all other charges).

Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network. 

Our Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. That’s over 750,000 listeners a week and are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post Kia Niro Electric Vehicle 2022 Review appeared first on Eco Car Guide.

Based on the luxurious GT Line the PHEV is the first electrified model in the Sorento line-up with its powertrain combining a turbocharged petrol engine with a battery pack and electric motor.

TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

With a fully charged battery pack, you can drive up to 68 kilometres on electric power alone. This means that if I plugged the Sorento in each night I could pretty much drive around every day without using petrol. That’s pretty cool.

The real benefit of a PHEV is that you get the daily savings of all electric power but can still take longer trips without having to think about it too much as you can simply fill up at a petrol station, but still get the excellent economy of the Hybrid power.

The latest Sorento models offer enhanced all-terrain capability thanks to a new Terrain Mode where drivers can choose from ‘Mud’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Sand’ modes.

The one downside with the Sorento PHEV though is price. It’s around $81,990 drive away and that’s about $15,000 more expensive than the GT Line diesel and you can buy a lot of diesel for that.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Brianna Fraser

 *MLP Includes GST and LCT but excluding statutory charges, dealer costs and dealer delivery. See your dealer for RDAP. Does not include price of options. Some features mentioned in the article are options.

*RDAP is a recommended drive away price.

The post Kia Sorento PHEV AWD SUV 2021 Review appeared first on Eco Car Guide.