Preview: 2022 Kia EV6 is Korean brand's first dedicated EV ...

 Kia on Tuesday released the full details on its new electric crossover dubbed the EV6. Previously code-named CV, the vehicle is Kia's version of the recently revealed Hyundai Ioniq 5 and both are due on sale as 2022 models. Exact timing for the Ioniq 5 hasn't been confirmed but Kia said to expect the EV6 at dealerships early next year.

 The EV6 is Kia's first vehicle based on a platform designed specifically for battery-electric power, in contrast to the automaker's existing electric vehicles like the Soul and Niro EVs which are based on platforms originally designed for internal-combustion power.

 The platform is Hyundai Motor Group's new E-GMP design . It made its debut in the Ioniq 5 and will also shortly appear in a Genesis crossover expected to be called an eGV60 , or something along those lines. 

All vehicles based on the E-GMP platform will have well over 200 miles of range and the ability to charge up to 80% in as little as 18 minutes thanks to 800-volt hardware. In the case of the EV6, you're looking at a range approaching 300 miles in the most efficient configuration and the ability to add 60 miles of range in less than five minutes of charging. EPA-rated numbers will be announced closer to the market launch.

There will be multiple configurations to choose from. The range starts off with the EV6 and EV6 GT-line grades offering a choice of 58.0- or 77.4-kilowatt-hour batteries, with rear- or all-wheel drive. Power figures start at 167 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with the small battery and RWD, increasing to 321 hp and 446 lb-ft with the larger battery and AWD.

For performance fans, there will be an EV6 GT version offering 577 hp and 546 lb-ft, and capable of getting to 60 mph from rest in 3.5 seconds or less. The EV6 GT version also features a software-based limited-slip differential for getting the power down during cornering.

2022 Kia EV6

Many of these configurations are shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Another similarity with the Hyundai is a funky exterior design. The EV6 was previewed by 2019's Imagine by Kia concept, which at its debut was described as a commuter car that combines elements of a crossover, a sedan and even a sporty coupe. That's generally what we see in the EV6. Kia said the vehicle was designed by a new philosophy called Opposites United, which combines contrasting elements like sharp lines with smooth, sculptured surfaces.

The EV6 measures about 185 inches in length, making it 2.3 inches longer than the Ioniq 5, even though its wheelbase is 3.9 inches shorter than its Hyundai counterpart. In comparison, the rival Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y have lengths measuring 180.5 and 187 inches, respectively.

The interior also features an avantgarde design. There's a clean layout combined with textured surfaces and a mix of physical controls and screens. One of the standout elements is the curved display that combines the instrument cluster and infotainment hub (both 12-inch screens). Underneath this you'll find the climate settings which are also controlled via a screen, unfortunately.

2022 Kia EV6

The EV6 also features an augmented reality head-up display. The system displays alerts from the car’s electronic driver-assist systems, as well as handy info such as vehicle speed and turn-by-turn navigation instructions. A remote parking system also lets you manuever the vehicle in tight spots from outside the cabin.

Kia plans to have 11 EVs in its lineup by the end of 2026, and seven of these will be based on the E-GMP platform. The remainder will likely be based on modified platforms originally designed for internal-combustion power. For its dedicated EVs, Kia will using the naming strategy where the prefix “EV” is joined by a number representing the vehicle's positioning in the lineup. The EV6 is the first to use the new naming strategy.