Design and packaging

The exterior design of EV6 is a powerful representation of ‘Power to Progress’. An evolution of the brand’s strengths in design, EV6 is a culmination of skills and expertise collected throughout Kia’s design-led transformation; investigating the future and beyond.

At the front, characteristic daytime running lights display a sleek, modern appearance. They form part of the car’s ‘Digital Tiger Face’, a design progression evoking the spirit of Kia’s ‘Tiger Nose Grille’ for the electrified era. The design of the lamps also includes a ‘sequential’ dynamic light pattern. Below this, a low air intake visually widens the front of the car, accentuating its high-tech image. Part of the optimisation of air flow from the front, the air is channelled through and under the car’s flat floor for optimum aerodynamics.

The side profile displays a crossover-inspired design aesthetic, which is modern, sleek, and aerodynamic. This contrasts with sharp lines and high-tech details to create a sense of tension in the design. A swept-back windshield provides dynamism and purpose, while bold rear haunches add volume. A character line runs along the bottom of the doors curving upwards towards the rear wheel arches, visually elongating the profile of the car.

Designed in part to realise ultimate aerodynamic performance, the rear displays a sloping C-pillar with an integrated black glossy insert, which visually widens the window glass. Above this sits a prominent roof spoiler that channels air down towards a raised lower spoiler that sits atop the car’s unique rear light cluster.

EV6 is the result of a collaborative effort between all three studios in Kia’s global design network in Namyang (Korea), Frankfurt (Germany), and Irvine (California, US).

Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Centre, elaborated: “EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centred, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV era. With EV6 we aimed to create a distinctive, impactful design by using a combination of sophisticated, high-tech features on pure and rich volumes while providing a dedicated EV aiming to define our future.”

Class leading interior space

Based on Kia’s dedicated E-GMP architecture, the EV6’s cabin benefits from class-leading interior space and functionality, thanks to the flat battery under the floor, and minimal front and rear overhangs. Passengers are greeted by a lean, minimalist dashboard architecture that emphasises the cabin’s remarkable sense of space. With no need to house a central transmission tunnel, the EV6’s flat floor provides rear seat occupants with 990mm of legroom for exceptional space and comfort. For those sat up front, there is a roomy 1,078mm of legroom on offer. Despite the EV6’s relatively compact exterior dimensions – it’s no longer than a compact saloon – its 2,900mm wheelbase is longer than that of the Sorento SUV, the largest car Kia sells in the UK. This results in cabin space on part with many mid-size SUVs.

Jochen Paesen, Vice President for Interior Design, commented: “People are first attracted by the exterior of cars, but they eventually fall in love with the interior – where they spend most of their time. So, designing an inspiring space for the EV6 was the most important thing for us. We believe EV6 can inspire customers by boosting their creativity.”

One of the most striking elements of the new interior is a seamless high-tech curved high-definition audio visual and navigation (AVN) screen. The simple form language of the wide curved screen and the slim dashboard give the space an open feel. Extending from the steering wheel across to the centre of the car, it displays an instrument cluster in front of the driver, with infotainment and navigation above the centre console. The width of the screen creates an immersive experience for the driver, while a minimal number of physical buttons creates an uncluttered and soothing driving experience.

Below the AVN screen sits the car’s new multi-mode display, something which will feature in future Kia cabin designs. This replaces physical buttons with a dedicated ‘haptic’ touchscreen, providing easily accessible shortcuts to control HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and the infotainment and navigation system. Instead of delving into sub-menus, the multi-mode display allows drivers to keep more attention on the road, with quicker access to the car’s most often used features, such as changing the temperature or adjusting the audio volume.

Below this panel the dashboard slopes away towards the front of the car, creating a sense of space and openness for the front-seat passengers. By incorporating an HVAC architecture that is split between the inside and outside of the cabin, the size of the interior portion of the HVAC system is reduced by 55 per cent. This layout ensures a slimmer cockpit design and more space for front seat passengers, while securing optimal cooling performance.

Premium relaxation seats, on ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models, enable the driver and front passenger to relax in supreme comfort and luxury while the EV6 is parked or charging. At the touch of a button, the seats can lift and recline, optimising posture and body pressure distribution, while allowing occupants to stretch out, read a book, or have an 18-minute cat nap while they recharge their vehicle. The seats’ lightweight, slim-line design further enhances the EV6’s interior space.

Premium materials are used throughout the EV6’s cabin for a welcoming feel, while their selection has also been chosen for utmost durability. The cabin is trimmed in a range of sustainable materials, with seats that are slim, lightweight and contemporary, and trimmed in vegan leather. Sections of the dashboard and centre console are clad in recycled plastics, equivalent to 107 plastic 500ml water bottles per car.

All of the EV6’s primary controls are located within easy reach of the driver for an intuitive driving experience. The vehicle’s space-saving Shift-By-Wire selector is conveniently placed alongside the EV6’s starter button on the centre console, while the sleek steering wheel integrates key ADAS switches for maximum operability. Touch-type control switches for the EV6’s heated steering wheel and ventilated and heated seats are also within easy reach for convenience.

Impressive storage space

The EV6’s clever storage solutions cater for all needs. A sizeable centre storage tray provides a convenient space for small bags and tablets, and an integrated wireless charging pad on ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models enables users to charge their smartphones with ease. The glovebox is larger and longer than normal thanks to the split HVAC architecture, delivering 10.5 litres of space. Handy front and rear drinks holders provide added storage potential.

Generous boot space afforded by the E-GMP architecture means the EV6 is ready for the next adventure, providing up to 490 litres (VDA) of boot space with the second-row seats in place (480 litres for ‘GT-Line S’ models, due to the space taken up by the Meridian audio system subwoofer). With the 60:40 second-row seats folded, stowage capacity increases to approximately 1,300 litres. The EV6 also features extra storage at the front – a front boot, front trunk, or ‘frunk’ – providing an additional 52 litres of storage space for RWD models and 20 litres for AWD models, with enough space for the vehicle’s charging cable.

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