Sub-$80k push with standard and big battery entry versions of Kia’s new EV lowers the starting point for E-GMP involvement.

ONE-upmanship by Kia over its conjoined competitor continues with the pricing for EV6, its first product built on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform for electric vehicles.

Having already signalled two months ago that their model will deliver more range than the Hyundai Ioniq that uses the same platform and advanced 800V electrical architecture, Kia NZ has with the car’s release today revealed a price strategy that also lends advantage, particularly within the sub-$80,000 zone where new electric cars achieve a $8625 rebate from Government.

Whereas Hyundai New Zealand places a single example of its Ioniq 5, the current NZ Car of the Year, beneath the ceiling for Government’s battery car support scheme Kia NZ has two EV6 models with eligibility, both in rear-drive (so, single motor) Air specification. These are in standard and long range formats - those descriptives reflecting their battery sizes.

The cheaper has the same 58kWh battery as the Hyundai, but at $72,990 is $7000 cheaper, while the other, the family’s range king, slots in a 77.4kWh battery - larger than anything Hyundai has - but is still $1000 below the entry Ioniq 5.

The country’s highest volume new EV in 2021, Tesla’s Model 3 in standard range trim, with a 50kWh battery, is also being targeted by the rear-drive EV6s, particularly in the cheaper format.

Kia’s versions of the EV6 with dual motors, affording all-wheel-drive, come only with the long range battery. The prices for these are more in line with like-configured Hyundai editions.

Kia’s entry all-wheel-drive Earth is, at $94,990, the same money as the cheapest dual motor Ioniq 5.

The other EV6 is the GT-Line. At $106,990, it is $3000 less expensive than the dearest Ioniq 5, the Limited, rising to price equivalency if ordered with a sunroof. A glass ceiling is also a cost-extra for the flagship Ioniq 5. Adding it bumps the RRP to $112k.

The only Ioniq 5 model Kia appears not to have matched is a high-end Elite in rear-drive, a $96,990 car.

The comparison between the ‘big’ battery editions needs to consider that Hyundai’s is, for now, smaller; Ioniq 5 in some other markets has achieved the 77kWh unit but NZ-spec models maintain a 72kWh unit.

The difference in capacities generally makes no difference in performance outside of GT-Line, which is the fastest car yet on this underpinning. The advantage of a bigger battery does show in range.

The overall champions of each lineup are the rear drive models with the bigger battery. Kia says its EV6 Air rear-drive long range will travel 528km on a single charge. EV6 all-wheel-drive models are said to be capable of covering approximately 506km between charges. Those optimals are almost 50km above those cited for the Ioniq 5 in the like-versus-like formats. All figures are achieved by a common testing regime that might well be challenging to replicate in the real world.

How the two cars rate in specification cross-referencing cannot be relayed today. From first assessment, both brands have gone for fulsome specification loadings; both have remote smart parking assist, for instance.

The vehicle to load feature to power electrical devices that Hyundai debuted in this market is also on the Kia, but EV6 takes a step beyond. It says EV6 has vehicle-to-vehicle recharging capability; that is, you can replenish another electric car off their’s. That’s a feat no other EV in this market can deliver.

The only option across the Kia range is a moonscape matte body colour, for $1450.

Even though they are similarly sized, both seat five, configure as hatchbacks and share lots of technologies, describing them as badge-engineered siblings would be wrong, as the stylings are very different and so is the detailing: The EV6, for instance, has flush door handles that pop out when the car is stopped and unlocked.

As one overseas commentator put it: “The only thing they really have in common is hinting that Hyundai Motor Group’s designers have a soft spot for classic Italian rally cars. While the Ioniq 5 has echoes of the Lancia Delta, Kia designer Luc Donckerwolke has suggested that the EV6’s slightly wedge-shaped body was inspired by the Lancia Stratos.”

Differences in driving feel might also be expected. EV6 is designed to build on Kia’s place as the sportiest, most performance-focused of the three (the other being Genesis) Hyundai Motor Group brands, a shift that started with the Stinger.

Kia asserts its product has a dynamic driving experience achieved through utilising a ‘long-and-low’ vehicle architecture, resulting in a low centre of gravity which contributes to an engaging and communicative experience for the driver and a feeling of roominess for all passengers.

It also says the NZ-market cars’ ride qualities have been enhanced by a “locally tuned” handling package for Australasia.

The interior centres around two dual-curved 12.3-inch LCD screens which deliver all vehicle as well as infotainment details.

There’s been no comment shared from Kia MNZ about stock availability at a time when new vehicles distributors are under the pump to meet demand due to international issues with semiconductor and battery supply, coronavirus disruption to the assembly line and the impact the conflict in Ukraine has had on suppliers.