KIA EV6 versus Volkswagen ID.4
Which is the real people's car?
The car manufacturer from Wolfsburg has owned the winning concept for building popular and reliable cars for the general public since the very first Beetle, and later on the Golf. With the electrification of the market, Volkswagen is also embarking on a new path and launching a fully electric range. After the 'smaller' ID.3 it is now the turn of the slightly larger ID.4 - a versatile SUV that is capable of excellent performance.
However, car makers on the other side of the world are not sitting still. KIA is a good example of this. The Korean manufacturer started on the road to electrification some time ago – think of the e-version of the KIA Niro and KIA Soul - and in recent years has evolved into a pioneering player with equally pioneering design. Combine this with their technological know-how and their constant search for innovation and you get the brand-new KIA EV6, their very first electric car built entirely from scratch, rather than an adapted version of an existing KIA model.
Range and power
The KIA EV6 is based on the new electric-global modular platform (E-GMP). This platform is distinguished by a flat floor and wheels positioned as far as possible at the edge. The advantage of this is that the interior can be arranged in different ways and it creates a lot of space despite the compact dimensions. The E-GMP platform delivers an operating voltage of 800 volts, which is you would only have expected previously in the luxury segment. The battery (up to 77.4 kW) can take you up to 528 km with one charge. Charging is super fast: in 4.5 minutes you have 100 km extra, and in just 18 minutes the car is 80% charged. And we should certainly mention this feature: the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which allows you to power other devices from the EV6, such as your electric bike. This makes your car a mega power bank.
The range of the ID.4 also reaches new heights at 520 km (WLTP), due in part to its smart energy recovery. These days, regenerative braking can be found on every EV – as it is on the KIA EV6 – but Volkswagen engineers went one step further. When you take you foot off the accelerator pedal (in a corner or at a traffic light), the system estimates the desired residual speed so that the car automatically slows down sufficiently without you having to press the brake pedal, and comes to a standstill just before the traffic light.
Design and engineering
With regard to the looks of the ID.4, Volkswagen's familiar styling is still recognisable despite the futuristic design,. The large 18-inch light metal rims, which you can replace with optional 19- to 21-inch light metal rims, are striking. The interior style of the ID.4 also carries on the ID.3 tradition, which you notice with the dashboard, among other things. Here they have played safe. The ID.4 offers you ten colours for the interior lighting as standard, which bathe the interior (instrument panel, centre console and doors) in a soft light.
The KIA EV6 is a striking crossover. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the KIA EV6 has a relatively long wheelbase (2.9 m), so you have almost as much space inside as many medium to large SUVs. This gives the driver and passengers plenty of seating space. The interior of the KIA EV6 also looks future-proof and more modern than the SUV from Wolfsburg. The two panoramic curved displays in particular (12.3 inches) with intuitive operation are eye-catching and give the driver and passengers clear information about the road, car and entertainment system.
Conclusion
As World Car of the Year 2021, the Volkswagen ID.4 is a very spacious car that can offer you the driving pleasure you want and is a suitable option for daily commuting and longer family weekend outings.
However, the KIA EV6 is right up there with it. The KIA is faster, lighter and has more power, which combine to give it a longer range. In terms of space, the car has a very spacious feeling thaks to the interior and the large luggage space (which you can expand to 1,300 litres). On top of that, the KIA EV6 has a phenomenal towing capacity of up to 1,600 kg (600 kg more than the ID.4). Ideal for transporting all of the family’s electric bicycles, taking off with the caravan for the weekend, or driving to the riding stable with a horse trailer.
The two are also equal in terms of price. The choice will therefore be determined by personal taste and usage requirements.