SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – We’ve driven the 2022 Kia EV6 pretty a little bit a lot more than most recently released types, thanks to a number of RWD and AWD take a look at cars on both coasts, moreover our ongoing extended-phrase check. To date, while, all of individuals have been the present-day range-topping GT-Line trim amount that options distinct styling and upgraded interior components. It is also a much less well-liked model. Scour dealership stock and you are going to uncover GT-Traces are few and considerably amongst (while in bigger offer than the foundation EV6 Mild). Nope, the auto you are most likely to uncover is this, the 2022 Kia EV6 Wind. It is the quantity vendor, a quasi-equivalent to the EX in other Kia designs. So, what are you actually giving up by sticking with the Wind?
Properly, you definitely will not be offering up vary or efficiency. The Wind and GT-Line share the exact same battery and drivetrain possibilities. The foundation rear-wheel-push model tested right here has a solitary motor linked to the rear axle that achieves a 310-mile array and makes 225 horsepower and 320 pound-toes of torque. The -60 time is 7.2 seconds, which not too long ago amounted to a fairly brief vehicle. There is no shortage of buh-bye passing ability, and all that quick electrical torque always helps make the EV6 RWD feel energetic while driving close to town. I don’t disagree with Zac Palmer that it’s not genuinely exciting for each se, and that you should not anticipate the rear driver to be the far more efficiency-oriented a single. If you want that entire EV snap off the line – and 2 seconds zapped off the -60 time – you in all probability will not regret having to pay an added $4,000 or sacrificing 36 miles of range.
Once again, all that applies to the EV6 Wind AWD, far too. The GT-Line is primarily an physical appearance and products offer – the forthcoming 2023 Kia EV6 GT (no Line) is the 576-hp top doggy model that goes previously mentioned and outside of in a quantity of other overall performance methods. The only probable dynamic variation concerning the Wind and GT-Line is the wheels … it’s possible. The GT-Line is offered with optional 20-inch wheels you cannot get on the Wind. It only comes with the 19-inchers conventional on each individual EV6, which include the GT-Line I drove back again in Oregon. Maybe the greater wheels could assist the EV6 sense a bit a lot more spry on a again street, but it would nevertheless feel like the pretty sound and weighty car or truck that it is. I’d guess that the in any other case pliant trip high quality would be adversely impacted far more.
Ok, so the Wind and GT-Line travel the same, what about all the things else? Outside the house, the Wind’s rocker panels and wheel arches are gloss black, with the latter that includes a ribbed pattern also uncovered in the decreased grille and trim little bit beneath the KIA emblem. The GT-Line has entire body-colored items alternatively, additionally mesh-like grille inserts within a diverse lessen fascia. The decreased rear fascia differs among the autos, as nicely, such as an additional system-colored little bit on the GT-Line. Potentially the black wheel arches add to the Wind looking a minimal more SUV-like, but in basic, the differences engage in far more like “different” than “better” or “worse.”
The interior is a different tale: the GT-Line is greater from an aesthetic point of view (higher than suitable). Multi-color ambient lighting provides a welcome little bit of color to what is if not a piano-black piece of trim beneath the Wind’s air vents. The traces additional to the dash prime and center console armrest increase even extra visible aptitude lacking from the Wind. Its sprint prime is produced from a recycled material (above, bottom still left) that appears like fabric from afar but feels like squishy plastic – there’s not truly a judgement to be created below other than it is not very as appealing as the extra visually dynamic if rubbery GT-Line trim. The GT-Line also will get a flat-bottom steering wheel (shrug).
Then there’s the upholstery. Both equally Wind and GT-Line occur standard with “vegan leather” also acknowledged as “reasonably convincing but continue to pretend leather-based produced from petroleum-based mostly vinyl.” It is not the similar as the Kia Niro’s “vegan leather-based,” which is designed from eucalyptus leaves. The Wind presents a selection of all black or the light-weight-colored “Misty Gray” shown right here with black on considerably of the dash, doors and seat backs. The GT-Line arrives normal with black vegan leather-based accented by white vegan leather-based arcing all around the seat and accenting the doorways. Optional on the GT-Line, however, is a vegan leather-based and suede upholstery combine: either white vegan leather-based centers with black suede arcing around the seat, or what is shown in the pictures here, black suede centers with white vegan leather arcing close to. Pleather is generally on the doorways, and in equally, I would say the doorway trim seems to be and feels a little bit affordable for a motor vehicle in the $50,000 range that is if not convincingly high quality.
In phrases of machines, the Wind lacks the GT-Line’s mechanically extending doorway handles. My spouse in particular was not amused by the excess dexterity or added hand essential to fumble them open without having ability help. “Why do these have to be extravagant?” she pondered. Other included items are the augmented-actuality head-up display and HomeLink garage door opener. And that is it. There are no more selections readily available for the GT-Line, both, aside from the wheels.
The cost variation will come down to $4,200, or $48,215 for the Wind RWD and $52,415 for the GT-Line RWD. Tack on about $4,000 for the twin-motor AWD, as well as a heated steering wheel and heat-pump HVAC enhance. For my dollars, I really do not think the GT-Line’s upgrades are worthy of that considerably. Confident, the interior is a little bit snazzier and I’d relatively have far more human body-colored exterior pieces – the black fenders don’t precisely switch the EV6 Wind into an X-Pro (nevertheless significantly, Kia, that’s an thought I want to see). Generally, you’re not losing considerably by sticking with the Wind, and it absolutely does not diminish our affection for this extraordinary electric powered motor vehicle. The even larger concern stays: RWD or AWD?
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