What a wild time we live in. Who expected to say that an electric Kia is fun to drive in 2022? Things have escalated quickly as Kia turned its brand around. Now the 2022 Kia EV6 might be the best electric SUV to buy. 

The 2022 Kia EV6 fails to disappoint critics 

People are finally getting behind the wheel of the 2022 Kia EV6, and we can’t wait to give it a spin. Kia invited multiple journalists out to California to test the EV6 around the hills and valleys near Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino. 

You get 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with the single motor and rear-wheel drive configuration. If you upgrade to the larger battery, you get 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. This is where things get more exciting. 

Kia estimates that the EV6 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.1 seconds. All-wheel drive makes the vehicle a bit heavier, causing it to reach 60 mph in about six seconds. 

The EV6 has driving modes for Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow that adjust the torque balance and pedal responses. Sport mode is the most aggressive setting, and Eco is the laziest mode as it optimizes the vehicle’s charge. 

Does the 2022 EV6 have a good performance? 

Yes, the 2022 Kia EV6 is fast, fun, and comfortable. The EV6 has a smooth ride over pavement and a relatively quiet interior. The RWD models have a little more composure around curves and more predictable handling. 

The AWD models are a bit sportier as the cornering is increased for a faster performance around twists and turns. The suspension isn’t too stiff and manganese to provide a confident connection with the road. It allows you to feel imperfections but not in a harsh manner. 

Despite having a curb weight of 4,661 lbs, there isn’t much body roll. This is because the EV6 has an underfloor battery to provide a low center of gravity. However, you do feel inertia through controlled body motions. 

Unfortunately, the paddles on the wheel aren’t shifters. They are toggles that drivers use to choose the level of regenerative braking. If it’s totally switched off, the accelerator maintains more momentum. 

When in full effect, the 2022 Kia EV6 provides one-pedal driving with the Kia I-Pedal regenerative function. It slows the vehicle down pretty quickly, even on downhill gradients. Also, the desired braking effect adjusts how much charge is returned to the battery. 

Does the Kia EV6 have a good range? 

The 2022 Kia EV6 has a pretty good range. The 58.0-kWh battery pack gets an EPA-estimated 232 miles, and the 77.4-kWh battery pack provides up to 310 miles of range. Adding AWD reduces the range to about 274 miles. 

Thanks to the E-GMP’s 800-volt charging capacity, you can recharge the battery from about 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes with a DC fast charger. With a Level 2 charger, it takes about seven hours to fully recharge. Also, the Kia EV6 officially charges faster than a Tesla. 

You can get started in a Kia EV6 for about $40,900. Critics are loving it so far but haven’t spent much time behind the wheel yet. As people test the EV6 for longer periods, they may discover more love or possibly dislike.