Kia EV6 vs Rivals: Price, size, drivetrain, and features compared

Globally unveiled last year in March, the all-electric Kia EV6 landed on local shores on June 24, 2022. Since then, this Korean EV has been gaining Malaysian interest with its award-winning design and technologies. Till date, Kia has bagged a total of 200 bookings for the electric SUV, but with the high global demand and supply shortages in place, many Malaysians have to endure a long wait. 

In today’s story, we will be comparing the Kia EV6 with its close rivals in Malaysia, giving prospective buyers a gist of how it stands out in the competition. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Kia EV6 vs Rivals: Price

Kia offers the EV6 in a sole trim in Malaysia - GT-Line AWD, priced at RM 300,668 (on-the-road without insurance). This tag puts it in direct competition with the luxury brand models like the Mercedes-Benz EQA and Volvo XC40 Recharge. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, on the other hand, is the sister model to the Kia EV6. Here’s the price comparison -

Models	Kia EV6	Hyundai Ioniq 5	Volvo XC40 Recharge	Mercedes-Benz EQA
Price	RM 300,668	RM 207,808 - 270,408	RM 262,460	RM 286,888

Kia EV6 vs Rivals: Dimensions

Specifications	Kia EV6	Hyundai Ioniq 5	Volvo XC40 Recharge	Mercedes-Benz EQA
Length	4,695 mm	4,635 mm	4,425 mm	4,463 mm
Width	1,890 mm	1,890 mm	1,863 mm	1,834 mm
Height	1,545 mm	1,605 mm	1,652 mm	1,620 mm
Wheelbase	2,900 mm	3,000 mm	2,703 mm	2,729 mm

In terms of length, the Kia EV6 is a clear winner with a slight margin over the Hyundai model. However, when it comes to width, both Korean EVs are ahead of the Volvo and Mercedes-Benz EVs with the Ioniq 5 riding on the longest wheelbase and the XC40 Recharge being the tallest in the bunch.

Kia EV6 vs Rivals: Drivetrain

While the other EVs in the group are offered in a single trim in Malaysia, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes in three trims - Lite, Plus, and Max. So, here we are taking the top-spec Max to compare.

Specifications	Kia EV6	Hyundai Ioniq 5 (top-spec)	Volvo XC40 Recharge	Mercedes-Benz EQA
Electric motor setup	Twin motor with all-wheel-drive	Two electric motors with all-wheel-drive	Dual motors with all-wheel-drive	Single asynchronous e-motor driving front wheels
Battery	77.4 kWh	72.6 kWh	78 kWh	66.5 kWh
Max power	325 PS	305 PS	408 PS	190 PS
Max torque	605 Nm	605 Nm	660 Nm	375 Nm
0-100 kmph acceleration	5.2 seconds	5.2 seconds	4.9 seconds	8.9 seconds
Top speed	185 kmph	185 kmph	180 kmph	160 kmph
Range	506 km	430 km	418 km	429 km

The above comparison reveals that the most powerful EV in the bunch is the locally-assembled Volvo XC40 Recharge and the least powerful is the Mercedes-Benz EQA as it is equipped with a single motor setup that drives the front wheels only. Also, the fastest one is the Volvo EV. However, in terms of range, the Kia EV6 wins with a pretty good margin thanks to its Long Range AWD powertrain.

Kia EV6 vs Rivals: Features

When it comes to features, all these electric cars are loaded with a bucketload of advanced bits, making them desirable in their own ways. Let’s check their equipment kit one by one, starting with the Kia EV6.

The Korean EV boasts a ‘Digital Tiger Face’ with dual-LED headlights, ducktail-esque full-width LED tail lamps, auto flush door handles, hands-free powered boot lid, panoramic dual 12.3-inch display (for the infotainment and digital cluster), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 14-speaker Meridian surround sound system, dual-zone climate control system with rear vents, Qi wireless charger, powered front seats with Premium Relaxation, Vehicle-to-Load socket, Remote Smart Parking Assist, High Beam Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Smart Cruise Control with stop & go support and more.

With the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the customers get almost the identical features pack as the Kia EV6 with a Pony-inspired distinctive exterior profile. It is kitted with pixel-inspired squared-off LED headlights, pixelated tail lights, pop-out door handles, aero-optimized 20-inch wheels, a solar roof, dual 12.3-inch screens, dual-zone air conditioning, wireless charger, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) socket, electric seats, 7-speaker Bose sound system, Blindspot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert with brake assist, Lane-keeping assist, Lane following assist, Leading vehicle departure alert, Smart cruise control with Stop and go, High beam assist, Forward collision warning with brake assist, Safe exit alert and more.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge comes with full LED headlamps with "Thor's Hammer" LED DRLs, LED tail lights, 19-inch wheels, new Android Automotive OS-based infotainment system, 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, wireless charging tray, leather/Nubuck textile upholstery, City Safety suite, font and rear collision warning and mitigation support, Driver Alert Control, Lane Keeping Aid, Run-Off Road Mitigation with Road Edge Detection, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System with Steer Assist and Cross, Traffic Alert System and more.

Parts of the Mercedes-Benz EQA equipment pack are an AMG Line body kit, LED headlights, a full-width central rear LED light strip, hands-free powered boot, 19-inch light-alloy wheels, twin 10.25-inch displays (instrument and infotainment display) coupled with the Mercedes-Benz User Experience system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, powered front seats, Thermotronic dual-zone climate control with rear vents, ambient lighting system, Nappa leather steering wheel, head-up display, wireless charging pad, Artico man-made leather/Dinamica microfibre upholstery, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Steering Assist, Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Brake Assist, Parking Assist Parktronic, Urban Guard, and more.

So, that was a close look at the Kia EV6 rivals in Malaysia. Which of these EVs do you like the most? Let us know in the comment

Also read: 2022 Kia Carnival: Key highlights