Kia EV6 long-term test: report 3
We rate this electric SUV so highly that we named it Car of the Year. But does it continue to impress when you live with it every day?...
The car Kia EV6 RWD GT-Line Run by Allan Muir, managing editor
Why we’re running it To see whether the EV6 can live up to its status as our reigning Car of the Year and cement its place among the very best electric cars
Needs to Deliver on the promise of a long range and ultra-fast charging, while being comfortable and good to drive
Mileage 2664 List price £47,195 Target Price £47,195 Price as tested £45,370 Test range 278 miles Official range 328 miles
12 July 2022 – Handle with care
From an aerodynamic point of view, the Kia EV6’s flush-fitting external door handles are no doubt beneficial, but they aren’t the easiest things to operate.
With the doors unlocked (which can be done keylessly), climbing into my mid-range model involves pressing the front part of the slimline handle to get it to pivot outwards so you can pull it – just as you do on various Aston Martins. But this poses a conundrum. Do you press with your index finger or your thumb? Do you use one hand (and if so, which one) or both? I suspect anyone with small hands will have to resort to the latter.
Even with familiarity, the handles on the driver’s side don’t feel entirely natural to operate, and passengers tend to struggle with the ones on the other side for a few seconds before they can enter. On the top-spec GT-Line S, the door handles pop out automatically; I really think this should be standard on all versions.
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