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The new hatchback is built using the Hyundai/Kia
scalable E-GMP platform, which will support a number
of the brands’ future electric vehicles (and the related
Hyundai Ioniq 5). The aerodynamically shaped front
end looks as though it belongs on a gasoline-powered
vehicle, but it’s the integrated rear spoiler with ribbonlike
taillight extending across the concave-shaped
liftgate that grabs the eye. The EV6 is slightly smaller
than the Kia Sorento utility vehicle, but the distance
between the front and rear wheels is equal to that of
the eight-passenger Telluride. Extra-wide rear doors
open to expose plenty of rear-seat space while twin
12.0-inch displays dominate the dashboard. A 58- or
optional 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery is located in the
floor. The base rear-wheel-drive, single-motor EV6
generates 226 horsepower. All-wheel-drive EV6s with
front and rear electric motors are rated at 321 horses.
Arriving in late 2022, the EV6 GT (also all-wheel-drive)
comes with 576 horsepower. Kia says the GT will have
N E W F O R 2022
2022 Kia EV8
Base price: $43,000 (est.)
Type: Compact hatchback EV
Motors (h.p.): Single electric;
and dual electric (226/321/ 576)
Transmission: Single-speed direct drive
Layout: Rear- /all-wheel-drive
Base mpg (city/highway/combined): n.a.
Base weight (lb.): 4,350 (est.)
an estimated 300-mile range and can sprint
to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds. Kia
claims that connecting the EV6 to Level 3
fast charger will add 70 miles of range in
less than five minutes, while charging the
battery from 10 to 80 percent takes about
18 minutes.