Kia EV6 2026 review Australia: GT-Line | A safer electric car buy than the new Zeekr 7X family SUV?

Automobiles



CarsGuide journalist Tim Nicholson reviews the updated 2026 Kia EV6 GT-Line to see how this mid-life facelift stacks up for Australian buyers. This mid-size electric SUV arrives with a larger 84kWh battery pack that extends the driving range to 560km for the RWD and 522km for the AWD. The exterior features a refreshed front bumper with Star Map LED lighting and new alloy wheel designs ranging from 19 to 21 inches.

Inside the cabin Tim explores the revised layout featuring a new steering wheel and dual 12.3-inch curved displays. The infotainment system now runs the latest ccNc software which finally introduces wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard across all grades. Practicality remains a strong point with 480 litres of boot space and a flat floor for rear passengers while the addition of Kia Connect and over-the-air updates improves long-term ownership.

The driving impressions focus on the locally tuned suspension and steering which aim to handle unique Australian road conditions better than rivals like the Zeekr 7X, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E. This review evaluates the value proposition of the GT-Line which sits between the entry-level Air and the flagship GT performance model. Tim examines whether the $79,660 starting price justifies the upgrades in a increasingly competitive electric vehicle market.

#Kia #EV6 #Review

Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Pricing and features
02:08 Design
04:24 Practicality
09:49 Under the bonnet
10:32 Efficiency
11:28 Driving
14:01 Safety
14:20 Ownership
14:45 Verdict

Read Tim’s full review: https://bit.ly/47o3kgZ
Check out our Kia EV6 hub: https://bit.ly/3NPjpFU
Find more SUVs: https://bit.ly/4rpPDpV
Visit our EV guide: https://bit.ly/4kDWaKK

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20 thoughts on “Kia EV6 2026 review Australia: GT-Line | A safer electric car buy than the new Zeekr 7X family SUV?

  1. $72,000 for the base model especially when you have zeekr 7x, xpeng g6 and tesla my rwd. Also if they kept to the same iccu unit you are going to have trouble

  2. Had the EV6 GT AWD been around 15k cheaper, it would have been my first choice for a premium priced EV under the luxury tax threshold.

    I really had to toss up between an established brand that, like Hyundai has come a very long way in the last 10 years Or a relatively new brand in the market (Zeekr).

    Personally I think the old version of the EV6 looks better than the facelift (exterior) and better than the Zeekr. The Zeekr however showed it's close family ties to the Volvo and Polestar with its interior aesthetic and build quality.

    Ultimately we ended up going with the Zeekr 7x performance as I couldn't justify the extra $$ for similar performance and a lower range.

    If money were no object I'd likely have gone for the EV6 as I think it is definitely the more fun and engaging car to drive!

  3. I just bought an Xpeng G6 Performance 2026 here in New Zealand for NZ$74,000 (A$62,000). It has about the same battery size but is a CATL LFP battery that charges at 450kW. It has 358kW of power compared to the Kia EV6 at 239kW. It gets to 100kph in just 4.1 seconds and has every option including heated, ventilated massaging seats. The Kia EV6 costs NZ$115,070 (A$96,659). I cannot think of any reason to spend an extra NZ$41K (A$34.5K).

  4. Still looks ugly and over-styled in the rear end… and the paint quality shown in those close-ups is really bad! I will be buying a Zeekr 7X later this year unless something better comes along in the next few months.

  5. Love mty 2023 but wondering if they fixed some stuff
    – over the air updates?
    – is Battery Pre Conditioning still tied to kia maps
    – does it auto lock doors if your forget 😊(2023 didn't)
    – corded Android auto still?
    -less piano black?
    – lithium or AGM 12volt battery?
    -extended iccu warranty?
    – did they put the stereo cords on the right slot? Or do we have to change them over ourselves?😂

    2023 can thankfully set my safety features to vibrate the stearing wheel which i don't have to set up every time i get in. No beeping!
    I believe the headlights are better which is a + for the new model.
    Suspension and driving dynamics on the 2023 are excellent. Don't know why reviewer is highlighting firm suspension. Sure car has a good feel for the road but bumps aren't harsh, soaked up by dampners.

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