Kia EV6 launched in Malaysia - Priced from RM 301k, 325 PS, AWD, 506 km, full ADAS

• Priced from RM 300,668 with SST, deliveries to start in Q3 2022
• Imported (CBU) from Korea
• AWD, 325 PS, 605 Nm, with 506 km range

Dinamikjaya Motors has launched the fully electric Kia EV6 in Malaysia. Only one long-range GT-Line AWD variant is available, imported from Korea, priced from RM 300,668 with SST.

Dinamikjaya Motors is not revealing the SST deducted price but confirms that buyers who place an order before 30-June will enjoy a slightly lower price.

Also Read: Kia EV6 previewed in Malaysia, to be launched in H2 2022

For reference, the similar size but lower power output Hyundai Ioniq 5 Max (305 PS, AWD, 430 km, 72.6 kWh battery capacity), itself a sister-car of the Kia EV6, riding on the same E-GMP platform, is priced at RM 259,888.

Also Read: Tax-free EVs? MAA clarifies condition of Sales Tax exemption for EVs in Malaysia

Deliveries will begin in Q3 2022. The first allocation is sold out but Dinamikjaya Motors stresses that more units are coming. Of course, the global shortage of semiconductor parts and EV batteries, plus high demand for the EV6 worldwide, also mean that there will be some waiting time. 

Five colours are available – Moonscape, Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Runway Eed, and Yacht Blue.

Technically, the GT-Line AWD variant seen here sits in the middle of the Kia EV6’s model hierarchy but since the highest specs 580 PS GT variant have yet to be announced (not even in Korea), this GT-Line AWD model is now the highest available specs.

GT-Line cars come with larger 20-inch wheels, sunroof, and a 14-speaker Meridian sound system. The car shown in these pictures however, doesn't have a sunroof, but that's because this is a homologation unit. The cars that will be delivered to customers will be equipped as described on this page.

Driving performance of Kia EV6

The 77.4 kWh water-cooled high voltage battery packs 4.8 kWh more power than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, delivering 325 PS (239 kW) to all four wheels. It accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 185 km/h.

Also Read: Watch a Kia EV6 GT drag race against supercars from Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren

Most of the time, the vehicle is rear-wheel driven, with the front axle's motor engaged only when necessary.

Drive it sedately, you can (in theory) achieve 506 km on a single charge (WLTP test cycle). Claimed energy consumption is 17.2 kWh/100 km.

Vehicle and battery warranty for Kia EV6

Kia offers a 5-year / 150,000 km warranty for the battery. However, Dinamikjaya Motors is offering an additional 2-year coverage, extending it to 7-year / 150,000 km, whichever comes first.

The rest of the vehicle is covered by a 5-year / 150,000 km.

Maintenance and service needs

Currently, Dinamikjaya Motors has 3 service centres equipped to handle EVs – the Glenmarie outlet, Penang, and Johor Bahru. The total number of EV-capable outlets will be increased in tandem with sales.

On top of that, other Kia dealers will still be able to provide 24-hour roadside assistance.

Charging details for Kia EV6

As with most battery EVs today, AC charging is via a Type 2 socket while DC fast charging is via the CCS2 socket.

A 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable is also bundled with the car, but this is ‘granny charging’ method using a domestic 3-pin power socket is only for emergency use, because it’s extremely slow (32 hours and 45 minutes with a 230V / 12A socket, from 10 to 100 percent).

When charged with an 11 kW dedicated wallbox (AC), it takes 7 hours and 20 minutes to charge from 10 to 100 percent – thus overnight charging is recommended.

Dinamikjaya is not bundling wallbox chargers into the price of the car, but dealers will assist customers by recommending a suitable unit that fits their needs / residential type.

One of the most impressive part about the Kia EV6 is its dual 400V / 800V electrical architecture. The dual-mode architecture allows it to support up to 350 kW DC fast charging, which can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, but of course, this is dependent on you finding such a high powered charger.

Most DC fast chargers will only deliver about 100 kW, which is then divided by half, for the two ports. So when the Kia EV6 is plugged in to a more regular 50 kW DC fast charger, it takes about 73 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent.

Charging time will of course drop considerably if it’s plugged in to a 100 kW or higher unit (~45 minutes, until 80 percent charge). Shell Recharge’s High Performance Charging network along the PLUS highway for example, are 180 kW units. But, note that each DC fast charger can hook up to 2 vehicles; so if there is another car charging, output drops to 90 kW for each port (but for now, the chargers are set up to one car per charger, for maximum performance, at the expense of longer queues).

Safety features of the Kia EV6

The Kia EV6 comes equipped with all the active and passive safety features you can ask for. Seven airbags, hill-start assist, with the full suite of advance driving aids (ADAS) including:

• High Beam Assist
• Blind spot monitor with collision avoidance assist
• Blind spot view monitor
• Rear-Cross Traffic Alert with collision avoidance assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Forward Collision-avoidance Assist
• Adaptive cruise control with Lane Following Assist
• 360-degree parking camera

Remote smart parking assist, where your keyfob doubles as a remote control to drive the car in / out of tight parking spaces.

There’s also an additional function that prevents the rear door from opening if there is an approaching vehicle from behind (Safe Exit Assistance), as well Rear Occupant Alert so you don’t forget the baby sleeping behind.

Comfort and convenience features in the Kia EV6

Apart from the aforementioned sunroof and 14-speaker Meridian sound system (which also plays synthesized car sounds for the EV so it doesn't feel too eerily quiet), the Kia EV6 also comes with wireless charging for compatible smartphones, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning with rear vents, 12V and USB-C sockets in the front and rear.

The seats are half suede-synthetic leather. The 12.3-inch infotainment supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired).

One missing feature however, is the augmented reality Head-up Display (HUD). Unfortunately for local users, they will have to make do with the 12.3-inch instrument panel.

Over the air (OTA) software updates are also not available, as OTA requires Kia Connect, which does not cover Malaysia. 

Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 has a V2L (vehicle-to-load) feature that allows users to plug in electrical devices into the car, powering them using the car’s high voltage battery. You can run kettles, camping lights, or TVs, off the car.

To run V2L, users will have to plug an adapter into the charging port. This adapter is an optional extra but comes bundled in all EV6 sold by Dinamikjaya Motors.

Inside the car, there’s also a 3-pin plug that you can connect your laptop into.

How big is the Kia EV6?

The pictures hide its size but the Kia EV6 is closer to a mid-size SUV than a hatchback.

The boot has a 520-litre volume, more than enough space for a family of five. The rear seats also fold 60:40, for transporting long items.

Also Read: 3-year waiting list - Australia stops pre-orders for Kia EV6, implications for Malaysia too

The car doesn't have an engine, so there's also a 20-litre 'frunk' in front, but don't let it fool you, it's actual usable space is barely enough for chocolate bars.

It measures 4,695 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,550 mm tall. That’s bigger than a Honda CR-V! Its 2,900 mm wheelbase is longer than an Accord! It’s ground clearance however, is only 160 mm, lower than even a Honda HR-V, partly due to its heavy and thick floor-mounted battery.

Like all battery EVs, it’s one very heavy obese car, tipping the scales at 2,105 kg! It weighs more than 2 tonnes but the motors push out 325 PS, so pay very close attention to tyre wear and pressure (tyre pressure monitoring system is standard).