A few months after it made its global debut, Kia unveiled the U.S.-spec 2025 EV6 facelift at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In addition to even-funkier looks, the refreshed EV6 has a bunch of new tech, longer range and Tesla’s charging port — plus it’ll be built in America.
The main design changes for the updated EV6 are at the front end, where it has what Kia calls Star Map headlights and running lights. There are new bumper designs with angular intakes and more creases on the hood, and along the sides the EV6 has tweaked side skirts and wheel arch claddings. Kia didn’t change the shape of the EV6’s taillight bar, but the internals have a similar Star Map motif, and the rear bumper is new as well. I especially love the new wheel designs; Kia has been killing it when it comes to wheels lately, putting out designs unlike anything we’ve seen before.
A new curved screen sits atop the dash, a bit more freestanding than the outgoing display, and Kia ditched the old EV6’s cool two-spoke steering wheel for a more traditional unit. Otherwise, design changes are limited to new materials, textures and trims. The 2025 EV6 does feature Kia’s latest infotainment system that promises to be faster and clearer, and it has over-the-air updates that can be applied to everything from driver-assist and tech features to powertrain functions. Other new tech items include an updated digital key, a wi-fi hotspot, more media streaming options and personalizable display themes (including official NBA-themed ones).
The base-model EV6 now has a 63.0-kWh battery pack, up from 58 kWh in last year’s model, which is paired with a single motor in the rear putting out 167 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the same as before. Upgrade to the new 84.0-kWh pack that replaces the previous 77.4-kWh unit and you get 225 hp and 258 lb-ft with rear-wheel drive, or 320 hp and 446 lb-ft if you select the optional dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup. With the larger battery and RWD, Kia is targeting a range of 319 miles in every trim, 9 miles up from the longest-range version of the current EV6. Like Hyundai Motor Group’s other new EVs, the EV6 now has the Tesla-style NACS charge port, and the port itself has been moved to the left rear fender. A belt-type steering column is said to give improved steering response, there are more sound deadening materials throughout, and Kia strengthened the EV6’s frame to better meet IIHS standards.
While we don’t have many details yet, the EV6 GT is sticking around, and it’s even more powerful than before. In regular driving the EV6 GT makes 601 hp and 545 lb-ft, but put it into the GT drive mode and that figure is upped to 641 hp and 568 lb-ft, a big increase from the outgoing model’s 576 hp and 545 lb-ft. (The EV6 GT just so happens to match the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s output now.) The GT also gets a new simulated gear shift feature that gives you “visuals, engine sound effects and a tactile sensation through motor torque adjustments.”
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but the updated EV6 will reach dealers in the first half of 2025. It will now be produced at Kia’s factory in Georgia alongside the EV9, which means it should hopefully qualify for the federal tax credit — if it sticks around, that is.
