The refreshed EV6 was first unveiled in Kia’s home country, South Korea, in May, and the version intended for the U.S. finally made its appearance on Thursday at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show, where Kia also introduced a high-performance EV9 GT.
The updated EV6 will be available for purchase in the U.S. in the first half of 2025 as a 2025 model, with production occurring at Kia’s facility in Georgia. The original EV6, Kia’s inaugural dedicated EV, was launched as a 2022 model and paved the way for the high-performance EV6 GT in 2023. The updates to the 2025 EV6 will also apply to the EV6 GT.
Changes to the exterior include new headlights that align with the design elements seen in Kia’s latest models, including the EV9 electric three-row SUV and the K4 compact sedan. Kia refers to this headlight design as the Star Map. Rear-end modifications are less pronounced, with the only change being a new graphic for the curved taillight light bar.
2025 Kia EV6
Inside, the vehicle features a new steering wheel design, twin 12.3-inch digital displays for the gauge cluster and infotainment system, as well as a newly designed center console. Kia has indicated that additional sound insulation has been added to lessen cabin noise. The electric motors are also claimed to operate more quietly.
In line with modifications made to the related Hyundai Ioniq 5 for its own 2025 refresh, the updated EV6 replaces the current model’s 77.4-kwh battery with a new standard 63 kwh battery, alongside an optional 84 kwh version. Kia estimates that the 84-kwh battery will provide a range of up to 319 miles when paired with rear-wheel drive. This range is lower with all-wheel drive.
The 63-kwh battery is offered solely with a single rear motor rated at 167 hp, while the 84-kwh battery can be paired with either a single rear motor rated at 225 hp or an all-wheel-drive setup with dual motors producing 320 hp.
The improved EV6 GT comes equipped with the 84-kwh battery and a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system, and its output has been increased to 601 hp. This power can be temporarily boosted to 641 hp using the GT mode. In comparison, the current EV6 GT has a maximum power output of 576 hp. Additionally, the refreshed EV6 GT features what Kia terms Virtual Gear Shift (VGS), which mimics the experience of shifting gears through the control software for the electric motors and incorporates artificial engine sounds.
While Kia has yet to disclose specific performance metrics, it has stated that the updated EV6 boasts a towing capacity of 2,700 pounds, an increase from the previous 2,300 pounds. The vehicle possesses the ability to automatically detect trailer weight and adjust the estimated remaining range accordingly.
All EV6 models include 800-volt technology, enabling rapid charging via a DC fast-charger. The latest iteration will come standard with a NACS connector, facilitating the use of numerous Tesla DC fast-charging stations for added convenience.
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