Kia EV6 now available in PH

After numerous initiatives, Kia Philippines has officially introduced the EV6 to mark its entry in the electric vehicle (EV) segment.

During the launch, Kia Philippines President Emmanuel Aligada expressed pride over the latest product, which he considered as “a step toward Kia’s ambitious yet important transition into a future mobility solutions brand.”

“Our one true message to the public aims to open their eyes to the reality and potential of Fully Electric Vehicles, and that Kia PH is here to make EV ownership convenient, worry-free, and enjoyable.”

Offered in a sole trim that is the GT-Line Long Range, the Kia EV6 has a 77.4-kilowatt-hour (kwh) battery that allows the vehicle to cover a range of 528 kilometers (km, combined city and highway, based on Environmental Protection Agency test).

Powering the Kia EV6 is the permanent magnet synchronous motor, which can deliver as much as 226 horsepower and 350 Newton-Meters of torque, mated to a single-speed automatic transmission with shiftronic technology. The combination allows the model offering to go zero to 100 kilometers per hour (kph) in 7.3 seconds and run as fast as 188 kph.

Offered in rear-wheel-drive format, the Kia EV6 has three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. On the other hand, its stopping power comes from the front and rear disc brakes.

The vehicle can be juiced up from 10 to 80 percent in as fast as 18 minutes using a DC charger. Customers can also opt for a normal power-up using an AC charger (seven hours and 20 minutes from 10 percent to 100 percent).

Further, the fully electric crossover has a vehicle-to-load capability that allows the Kia EV6 to act as a big powerbank for appliances and other items.

Created under the brand’s “Opposites United” design philosophy, the Kia EV6 has a more fluid look compared to its twin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Notable features on the outside are the auto-leveling headlamps with intelligent front lighting system, panoramic sunroof rain-sensing wipers, automatic rear window defogger, and black skid plates.

On the inside, the Kia EV sports a 12.3-inch LCD displays instrument cluster and an equally-sized infotainment system; black Suede seats with white leather accents; two-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and control buttons; front and rear power outlets, five USB ports and a wireless charging dock for mobile phones.

Occupants can connect their mobile devices on the infotainment system via Bluetooth, Apple Carplay, or Android Auto. Quality sound is guaranteed, thanks to its 14-speaker Meridian surround sound system.

For safety, the Kia EV6 comes with advanced driver assistance technologies such as the smart cruise control, blind spot detection, lane keeping assist, lane follow assist, forward collision avoidance assist, rear cross traffic avoidance assist, parking distance warning and 360-degree surround view monitor. Earlier, the model received a five-star rating from the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).

Moreover, Kia Philippines said that the estimated maintenance cost for five years in an EV6 is only around P25,000 — drastically lower than the P110,000 average for the same duration on cars that are fitted with internal combustion engines.

Available in five body color options namely Moonscape, Snow White Pearl, Runway Red, Yacht Blue and Aurora Black Pearl, the Kia EV6 is priced at P3.788 million. Packaged with the vehicle are the portable charger; five-year or 160,000-km vehicle warranty and eight-year or 160,000-km battery system warranty (whichever comes first); five-year free preventive maintenance service (PMS); and five-year free 24/7 roadside assistance.

While all 42 Kia dealerships around the country will retail the EV6 eventually, the initial roll-out of dedicated EV dealerships for the brand will start at its sales facilities in New Manila in Quezon City, Alabang in Muntinlupa, Sto. Tomas in Batangas, and Pampanga.

“Kia Philippines — with the EV6 as its flagship vehicle, will lead other Kia models in showcasing the brand’s technology, innovation, design direction, and the overall package that Kia has to offer to its market,” Kia Asia Pacific Head of Sales Joey Hong said. “I am confident to say that with the Ayala Group’s strong EV ecosystem, the EV6 will be warmly welcomed by the Filipinos—as we head towards a sustainable and zero-emission road in the Philippines.”

“When the public eventually embraces our EVs, then Kia PH also fulfills its social responsibility and commitment to sustainable mobility, sustainable energy, and a sustainable planet,” Aligada shared. “Soon, the Philippines will also reap the benefits of the environment-friendly shift towards greener motoring.”

Relatedly, Ayala Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Bong Consing guaranteed that the Kia EV6 offering in the country (first shown locally at the 8th Philippine International Motor Show) is backed up by the EV ecosystem that the Ayala Group created.

“We made sure to put the charging architecture in place long before the arrival of the EV6,” Ayala Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Bong Consing mentioned. “Our strategically located charging stations are proof of our commitment to electrification. We are using the whole Ayala ecosystem to support the growth and adoption of EVs in the Philippines. We expect EV take-up to grow rapidly, and EVs to be the dominant transport technology in a few years.”

Consing also noted that the Ayala Group is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. “Ayala believes that positive climate action is an investment that will benefit future generations,” he added.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Jirehl Kent Flores, Kia Philippines

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