A new look, more range and additional tech are en route. 

FULL details about a mid-life facelift for the Kia EV6 electric sports utility have broken in the country that shares the same specification and model line as New Zealand.

While the factory shop here has yet to say anything about the refresh, which is likely to arrive before the end of the year, its equivalent in Australia has lifted the lid.

The key points are the addition of a larger battery pack, more driving range, some long-awaited tech features and, of course, a freshened styling.

The most obvious exterior revision is a tweaked front end to match Kia’s newest electric here, the EV9, and the impending EV5. 

The update delivers the C-shaped ‘star map signature’ headlights and a “wing-shaped” bumper seen on those other models, while the GT-Line embellishes the most, with a sportier-looking front bumper and a full-width LED light strip.

Other design changes include new alloy wheels, an updated tail-light signature, a revised lower rear bumper, and some new colours.

Inside, there’s an updated panoramic curved display – still with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system – a new steering wheel with an off-centre Kia logo, a revised dashboard pattern, and an improved wireless charger to prevent phones from sliding.

There’s also some revised switchgear, a power-adjustable steering wheel column, a digital rear-view mirror, and three new colour options: Toffee brown, medium grey and green and light grey.

Hyundai-Kia’s new CCNC infotainment system has implemented. This promises sharper graphics, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, over-the-air updates and built-in voice control.

Other tech additions, for some markets if not ours, include a fingerprint authentication system, walk-away locking and a digital key with Apple CarKey support.

The line also adopts side parking sensors, a UV photocatalytic air sterilisation function, steering wheel grip detection, and improvements to the remote smart parking assist.

Under the skin, a new and larger 84kWh “fourth-generation” lithium-ion battery pack replaces the existing 77.4kWh unit.

The driving range for the long-range rear-wheel-drive model with 19-inch wheels has increased by four percent, taking it to around 550 kilometres on the WLTP test cycle.

Kia says it has fine-tuned ride and handling with a revised ‘frequency-sensitive’ shock absorber, optimised motor noise control and added more sound absorption material near the rear motor.

Safety is boosted with a thicker B-pillar and dual second-row side airbags.