FAMILY ROAD TRIP IN AN EV? WE TEST THE LIVABILITY 2022 KIA EV6 GT-LINE AWD

EV Channels Review

The GT Garage Talk team embarks on a family road trip in the 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD to test its livability and EV practicality. They praise the vehicle's striking design, particularly the matte paint and retro-inspired side mirrors, and rave about the comfortable and durable suede and vegan leather seats, highlighting their practicality for families with children due to the plastic rear backing. The interior's ambient lighting and futuristic dashboard are also noted positively. However, the reviewer expresses a strong dislike for the integrated HVAC and radio controls within the OLED screen, finding it cumbersome and preferring physical knobs. Visibility issues with the steering wheel and instrument cluster are also mentioned, though mitigated by the head-up display. The car's packaging is described as more of a 'glorified station wagon' than a large SUV, but deemed sufficient for a family of three with moderate luggage. The road trip experience revealed challenges with public charging infrastructure, specifically Electrify America stations, which suffered from technical issues and slow charging speeds beyond 80%. Despite these frustrations, the EV6's rapid charging capability (10-80% in 18 minutes claimed, and observed significant gains in 8 minutes) is highlighted as a major advantage, making it comparable to refueling a gasoline car. The overall cost of charging was significantly less than an estimated gasoline trip in their Jeep. The experience concludes that while EVs require more planning, the Kia EV6 is a viable option for family trips, especially with the growing charging network and the potential for home or campsite charging.