The first fully electric EV from Kia, the EV6, is an impressive crossover. It’s built on the automaker’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which will support the brand’s future EVs. The EV6 can charge super-fast and has an estimated driving range of up to 310 miles. It’s stylish with quick acceleration and comes in four trim levels.

So, which Kia EV6 model should you choose? The experts weigh in.

2022 Kia EV6 trim levels and pricing

As of this writing, the 2022 Kia EV6 is available in four trims: Light, Wind, GT-Line, and 1st Edition. They provide different combinations of electric motors and battery packs yielding varying power outputs and ranges. And two trims offer a choice of configuration.

Starting at around $41,000, the base-model Light is rear-wheel drive with a rear-mounted engine. Equipped with a 58-kWh battery pack, it has a power output of 167 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It also has an estimated driving range of 232 miles.

The next trim level up is the Wind, which comes with RWD standard but offers optional AWD. Starting at around $52,000, it’s the cheapest trim with AWD and dual motors producing 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. The driving range is 310 miles with RWD and 274 miles with AWD.

Going up another trim level is the sporty GT-Line, starting at a little over $57,000. It provides everything the Wind offers plus plentiful other features and amenities that boost the technology, comfort, convenience, and aesthetics (more on those later).

The top trim is the 1st Edition, starting at $58,500. This limited edition, based on the GT-Line, comes standard with the AWD configuration. Kia says it will produce only 1,500 examples for the 2022 model year.

Also, the automaker plans to introduce a high-performance GT model later this year or 2023. Producing 576 hp, it will likely have a higher starting price than all the other trims.

Which Kia EV6 trim should you buy?

Car and Driver reviewers recommend the Kia EV6 Wind with AWD as the trim to buy. They explain it’s the most affordable way to get the traction of the AWD system and the dual motors producing 320 hp. The Wind also adds a heated steering wheel, hands-free liftgate, 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and other premium features.

Edmunds critics agree the Wind offers the most value. They like that it comes with attractive extras like a better audio system, power liftgate, ventilated front seats, and increased driving range. Plus, the AWD configuration offers buyers the option to upgrade to a technology package with a ton of driver assistance features. They include a surround-view camera system, automated parking, and rear automatic braking.

However, Edmunds also mentions that most consumers buy the GT-Line for its abundance of standard advanced safety features. In addition, the GT-Line offers two packages to upgrade the upholstery. Buyers can choose faux-leather seats with faux-suede trim or vice versa. And the AWD configuration brings 20-inch wheels.

Overview of Kia’s brand-new EV

Sitting on a new platform, the 2022 Kia EV6 is just the first of many fully electric vehicles the automaker intends to produce. Kia designed the compact crossover with an appealing, sleek style and plenty of passenger space.

In addition, the new EV6 has a lot in common with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, including compatibility with the latest, DC fast-charging stations. That means the battery can charge up from 10% to 80% in under five minutes with a 350-kW charger.

It has a smooth ride and great acceleration, regardless of which configuration you go with. It’s designed to absorb the bigger blows from the road even though you’ll feel some of the smaller ones.

The EV6 is functional and visually appealing. It’s easy to read the digital displays on the dashboard and the few physical controls on the center console make it even more intuitive.

It’s a sneak preview of the future of electric vehicles at Kia. The 2022 Kia EV6 is a solid EV. It will be a strong competitor for the likes of Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen ID 4,  Hyundai Ioniq 5, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E.