Tesla is the top automaker in the EV world, but many automakers, including Kia, are aiming at Tesla with great new EVs. One of those from Kia is the EV6, and it has all the ingredients to compete with the Tesla Model Y. In fact, according to Kia, the 2022 Kia EV6 is already better than the 2022 Tesla Model Y in terms of the car’s real-world range.

An overview of the 2022 Kia EV6

The EV6 starts at a price tag of about $41,000 without any incentives. Since it’s a compact crossover, that’s a reasonably affordable price for an EV of its size. Kia currently offers the EV6 with various electric motor options, and the standard version gets a single motor that gets 168 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. 

With the GT trim, the EV6 gets four-wheel drive and much more powerful motors. Its motors generate 577 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque combined, and it’ll give the EV6 a similar acceleration time as many sports cars have. On top of that, the EV6 will be relatively practical, as it’ll provide owners with 24.4 cu-ft of cargo capacity without folding any seats down. With the rear seats folded down, that number jumps up to 50.2 cu-ft

The EV6 is also a fast and practical car when it comes to charging. When hooked up to the proper DC fast charging station, it can recharge over 200 miles of range in just 20 minutes. Of course, its range is another great aspect of the Kia SUV.

Here’s how the 2022 Kia EV6 stacks up against the 2022 Tesla Model Y

According to Kia, the EV6 gets an EPA-estimated 310 miles of range with its 77.4-kWh battery and a rear-wheel-drive configuration. In comparison, a Model Y Long Range with all-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 330 miles of range. Tesla currently does not offer a rear-wheel-drive configuration for the Model Y Long Range, so that’s the best comparison possible. 

In any case, Kia wrote that under real-world conditions, the EV6 improved on its EPA-estimated range as it gets 339 miles. In comparison, the Model Y’s range drops under real-world conditions, reaching 324 miles. These real-world range numbers were AMCI Testing Certified. The tests involved driving the cars in real-world situations, both in the city and on highways, and under normal climate conditions.

On top of that, Kia said the EV6 would have access to several features that Model Y owners currently don’t have access to. For example, Kia offers an augmented reality head-up display and ventilated front seats, among other things. On top of that, the EV6 will be a significantly more affordable SUV than the Model Y, which could help make it a Model Y killer.

Other reasons why the 2022 Kia EV6 may be a Tesla Model Y killer

Due to various reasons, Tesla has had to raise prices on its lineup multiple times in recent years. The Model Y used to start at about $40,000, but due to Tesla’s issues and pricing changes, the cheapest Model Y option starts at $51,000. However, that’s for the Performance trim, not the Long Range trim, so Tesla customers would have to cough up more cash to access the Model Y’s EPA-estimated 330 miles of range.

On the other hand, not only does the Kia start at $41,000, but it’s still eligible for federal EV tax credits. Tesla is not currently eligible for those credits. As such, an EV6 customer could pay $33,500 for a brand-new EV6.