- The 2025 Kia EV6 fits into the brand’s new look with Star Map headlights and blocky, geometric wheels.
- Kia adds 6.6 kWh to the 2025 EV6 battery pack.
- The update happened quickly, as competing EV models are still enjoying their first-gen design.
After three model years, Kia decided it was time to refresh the Kia EV6. The automaker revealed images of the updated Korean 2025 EV6, and drivers in the United States can expect to see similar changes.
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As an owner of a 2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line in Yacht Blue, my thoughts are mixed on the refreshed 2025 model, especially as my favorite exterior style features were replaced.
Distinctive Styling vs. the Cookie Cutters
I immediately fell in love with the Kia EV6 when I saw the 2022 Robo Dog Super Bowl commercial. I loved the shape, headlights, the wheels, and — of course — the all-electric powertrain. I also loved that the EV6 looked like nothing else on the road today. I eventually got one in July 2023, and it now holds the title of “My Favorite Car.”
As I think back to the vehicles I’ve owned, I tend to choose affordable cars that stand out from the crowd of cookie-cutter vehicles. The first new car I owned was a first-gen Honda CRX. I’ve also been the proud owner of a first-gen and second-gen Mazda Miata. In the early 2000s, I drove a convertible VW Beetle. As a teen, I learned to drive in a Pontiac Fiero GT and a Chevy I-ROC Z28 Camaro. I like sporty cars with curvy body lines that turn heads.
What the Competition Is Doing with Updates
After three years of producing the EV6, it seems too soon to give the vehicle an update. Consider the other EVs on the market today. The Mustang Mach-E went on sale in 2020. The VW ID.4 debuted in 2020. The Tesla Model S debuted in 2012. None of these have been updated yet.
Changes to the 2025 Kia EV6
The new 2025 Kia EV6 will receive new wheels and new angular “C-shaped” headlights that Kia named “Star Map” lights. The rear tail lights get a small triangular swoop at the edges.
Kia is increasing the battery pack from 77.4 kWh to 84.0 kWh. On the inside, the EV6 gets a new steering wheel, a curved panoramic display with new infotainment software, a new wireless charging pad, and a fingerprint authentication system.
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What I Like About This Kia Update
Before I rant about a few updates, I’ll share my positive opinions. I love that the new EV6 is getting a slightly bigger battery. More range is a good thing. My AWD EV6 range always varies based on the weather and how much highway driving I’m doing. I’ve never gotten more than 275 miles out of a full charge — but I frequently drive on the highway. Adding a new battery will add a few minutes to DC charging time. It will add about an hour to Level 2 charging.
I also love the update to the wireless charging pad. There are three features in the 2023 EV6 that I’d love to change — the small toggle for the HVAC and infotainment features (which doesn’t look to be changed in the refresh), the lack of light at the charging port (this was fixed in the 2024 models), and the angled charging pad. My phone always slides around and stops charging. According to Kia, the 2025 charging pad secures phones so they don’t slide around and stop charging.
The new steering wheel in the 2025 EV6 is nice, but uninspired. The two-toned wheel is flat at the top and bottom, the Kia logo is set to the side, and the infotainment and cruise controls look to have flippers and new wheel controls. The first-gen models have flippers. The new steering wheel doesn’t make me want to press the accelerator as much as the black and chrome first-gen “D-cut” wheel does, but the update isn’t awful.
Images care of Kia
I also appreciate the subtle new flare on the tail lights. The EV6 still has its big butt — an endearing feature for EV6 owners — and the little triangles on the tail lights show where the big butt ends and the fenders begin.
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The new display is one piece of curved glass, and it looks beautifully luxurious. Kia is also updating the infotainment system, which should be a good thing for drivers who use Apple CarPlay, as that’s been problematic for many early 2020s Kia vehicles. It also looks like Kia is adding the camera display to the rearview mirror, which is a feature that impressed me when I drove the 2024 Kia EV9. The crystal-clear camera view provides more visibility than a typical mirror.
What I Don’t Like about the Updated EV6
My two favorite exterior features on my 2023 GT-Line are the tiger-eye headlights and the ninja-star/tiger-claw wheels. So, I was thoroughly disappointed when Kia replaced both features. The new headlights will be projectors rather than reflectors — so they’ll provide better visibility, but they’re not as exciting as the current aggressive eyes.
I’m not a fan of the new wheels, and I don’t like the four-prong or triangular options that remind me of Lego bricks on the Kia EV9 and upcoming Kia EV3. The angles of the blocky wheels don’t inspire movement; instead they look bulky and slow.
The geometric wheels and C-shaped headlights fit with Kia’s new branding look. Unfortunately, in my opinion (which is worth what it’s worth), the new styling features reduce the wild and aggressive styling that separated the EV6 from the rest of the Kia pack.
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Despite the styling changes, the EV6 is still a fantastic vehicle. Adding range should push more drivers to the unique electric crossover. The curves and body lines remain the same, which is a definite plus. Kia hasn’t shared what the EV6 GT will look like, and after Hyundai released the IONIQ 5 N trim, it’s safe to say the EV6 GT could get some exciting new styling updates as the two performance EVs are technically brand cousins.
Would I Buy the Updated EV6?
Would I buy the 2025 EV6 with the new styling features? Probably not. It doesn’t make my heart race like the first-gen does. Yes, I realize that I could put after-market wheels on a car, but if I’m spending $60,000 on a vehicle, I shouldn’t have to spend a few thousand to replace the wheels. If I had to replace my 2023 EV6 GT-Line in 2025, I’d opt for the Porsche Macan EV (only because I can’t afford a six-figure Taycan) or frantically look for a Hyundai IONIQ 5 N.
This EV6 update reminds me of the latest Honda Civic Hatchback redesign. The current 11th-gen Civic is designed for the masses with grown-up exterior features (in other words, it’s boring), while the 10th-gen Civic has a youthful, wild, and sporty look. Even the newest Civic Type R is uninspired and dull compared to the previous generation. Nonetheless, the newest Civic is an award-winning vehicle with outstanding sales.
The 2025 Kia EV6 looks more grown-up, which will probably increase its appeal. This is a good thing for a car company but a bad thing for the drivers who want something aggressive, wild, and fun, especially when a grown-up EV9 already exists.
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FEATURE IMAGE: Kia
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2 Responses
Would be nice if we could rely on the EV6 to get us back and forth to our destination. My 2022 model had died on my 3x, once after the ICCU was replaced. I have no confidence in it.
Those wheels, along with all the new Kia EV wheels, are just absolutely horrifically ugly. Which is a shame because the rest of it is pretty damn sexy.