Kia Niro EV vs Kia EV6

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a striking vehicle, exuding a sporty and sleek design reminiscent of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. It appeared lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the farthest corners, giving the body a curvaceous, hip-like appearance similar to the Porsche 911. The headlights squinted in a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile was accentuated by an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler. The EV6's design was a testament to industrial creativity, with features like recessed lights below the rear spoiler and a hidden charge port beneath the right brake light.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Niro EV shared its design with the Niro Hybrid and PHEV models, yet it stood out among entry-level EVs. The Niro EV featured a divided headlight and grille design, with LED daytime running lights framing a reimagined "Tiger Nose" grille. It had 17-inch alloy wheels and a centrally located charge port for easy access. The rear boasted vertical taillights and "Air Blades" for improved aerodynamics, although its 0.29 coefficient of drag was less impressive than some competitors. The Niro EV's upright shape offered a distinct alternative to the pod-like silhouettes of other small EVs.

The 2022 Kia EV6 was a powerhouse, especially in its GT-Line e-AWD variant, which boasted 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77.4 kWh battery, it accelerated to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds. The EV6's dual-motor setup provided seamless torque distribution, making it a joy to drive in various conditions. It offered multiple regenerative braking settings, including a strong I-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving. However, its range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65% of its estimated 441-kilometre range. Charging was efficient, with the ability to accept up to 240 kW, though real-world charging speeds were lower.

The 2023 Kia Niro EV featured a 64.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a single electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds, offering smoother power delivery than its hybrid counterparts. The Niro EV's handling was more refined, though it lacked the nimbleness of some competitors. While it provided a pleasant driving experience, it didn't set new standards for EV handling or ride quality.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered innovative features like pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. Its interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, though cargo space was limited to 690 litres behind the seats and 1,322 litres with them folded. The EV6 had a towing capacity of 1,043 kilograms and an onboard power generator for added utility.

The 2023 Kia Niro EV combined crossover and hatchback elements, providing more headroom and legroom than some competitors. It offered 645 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,803 litres with them down. In-cabin storage was limited, but it featured large cupholders and a convenient phone tray. The Niro EV's dial-like shifter was a practical addition to the centre console.

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, though it required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured a 360-degree camera system, customizable "engine" sounds, and an augmented reality head-up display. The GT-Line Package 2 included a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and remote parking assist.

The 2023 Kia Niro EV came with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system, offering wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It shared a touch control panel with the Kia Sportage, requiring toggling between functions. The Niro EV also featured Digital Key 2.0 functionality, compatible with select devices.

The 2022 Kia EV6 lacked published safety ratings but offered impressive standard safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, and driver attention warning. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring and 360 cameras.

The 2023 Kia Niro EV included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Limited model added parking sensors and Advanced Highway Driving Assist with automated lane-change capability. Crash-test ratings were unavailable for this newly redesigned model.