The Kia EV6 has been voted DrivingElectric’s ‘Readers’ Favourite Electric Car 2022’.

The award was voted for by DrivingElectric’s readers in a public vote. It sees the EV6 pitted against several other electric vehicles from other brands.

Commenting on the win, Richard Ingram, Editor of DrivingElectric, said: “It comes as no surprise that the Kia EV6’s long range, innovative technology and ultra-rapid charging have caught the attention of our audience. Sleek styling and a well-appointed cabin seal the deal”.

Increasingly popular

The DrivingElectric Awards have been running since 2019. It celebrates the most efficient cars that money can buy. With EVs fast becoming the vehicle of choice, the recommendations of those in know becomes more relevant year on year.

The EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric car. It is available with rear- or all-wheel drive and a 77.4kWh battery as standard across a choice of three model grades: ‘Air’, ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’. Pricing for the range starts from £40,945.

Long range

The RWD EV6 can travel up to 328 miles on a single charge (WLTP combined cycle). With a power output of 226bhp and maximum torque of 350Nm, it can sprint to 62mph in 7.3 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 114mph. The AWD EV6 with dual motor has a more muscular 321bhp on tap, and 605Nm of torque. It accelerates to 62mph in just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 114mph.

Kia claim it is probably viable option for day-to-day mobility presently on sale. It provides rapid charging times, long range, segment-leading interior space and can even act as a portable battery pack to charge electrical appliances or other electric vehicles. They claim “ownership as convenient and accessible as running an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, and with reduced environmental impact”.

Safety first

The EV6 also boasts class-leading levels of safety and convenience. These come through an enhanced suite of driver assistance systems (ADAS). They are claimed to help to reduce many of the inherent hazards and stresses of driving, protecting occupants and other road users on every journey.

This includes Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) utilises radars around the car to help maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead.  Along with Lane Following Assist (LFA), they help centre the vehicle in the lane, even through a curve. In case of an adjacent vehicle driving in close proximity, HDA 2 assists to adjust the EV6’s path.

Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) helps drivers complete lane changes safely. It uses radar sensors to warn the driver of approaching vehicles, even activating the brakes if it detects a risk of a collision.

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system now includes Junction Crossing functionality, which provides greater preventative safety when navigating junctions. When the turn signal is activated, the driver is warned of any collision risk. If  risk increases, the system warns the driver and can automatically apply the brakes to help avoid a collision.

Intelligent Front Lighting System (IFLS) technology enables each LED to light up or power down independently to deliver a precise, dynamic lighting experience. It allows the driver to travel with a permanent high beam without any risk of dazzling oncoming traffic. A front-view camera automatically dims or brightens each individual LED, protecting oncoming traffic and other road users from glare in real time.

There is also Safe Exit Assist (SEA), helping occupants avoid collisions when opening doors.