Fresh look for breakthrough electric car: 2025 Kia EV6 facelift unveiled with bigger battery from Hyundai Ioniq 5 for Tesla Model Y competitor

After being rumoured and teased, the 2025 Kia EV6 facelift has finally been unveiled in South Korea. 

A discreet nip and tuck of the front end with new lighting features is mated to an updated cabin design and larger 84kWh battery providing a few extra kilometres of driving range for the refreshed EV6.

Australian details have yet to be confirmed but we do know the refreshed Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 rival will hit local shores in the fourth quarter (October to December inclusive) of this year. 

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Led by the Air and GT-Line variants, Kia will introduce the flagship GT locally a few months after the more attainable trims. 

Changes outside include a new front mask featuring full-width LED lighting that attempts to link the EV6 to the latest EV9 and EV5 design language. 

It gives the impression of a longer bonnet, while the bumper and valance have been tidied up for a sleeker appearance. The coupe-like EV6 remains a distinct offering next to the rest of Kia’s EV range. 

Rear end changes are minimal for the EV6.

At the rear not much has changed for the 2025 EV6, which retains its textural chrome ring on the tailgate that links into the LED tail and brake lights. 

There are new futuristic alloy wheel designs in both 19- and 20-inch sizes. 

Further changes lurk inside with the multimedia touchscreen and digital driver’s display now integrated into a single curved display module. There’s an updated operating system straight from the EV9 that features wireless smartphone mirroring. 

Interior tweaks make the EV6 more luxurious.

A newly-designed two-spoke steering wheel now features low-gloss switchgear and attractive airbag cover. There’s also a fingerprint reader that will allow registered drivers to start the EV6 without a key. That feature is not confirmed for Australia. 

Overseas images show greater interior customisation than what’s previously been offered in Australia with a two-tone black and brown leather and light option. 

An upgraded 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack – the same as the Ioniq 5 – replaces the previous 77.4kWh unit. It increases driving range from 475km to 494km for rear-drive models with 19-inch wheels while the 10-80 per cent ultra-rapid charge time remains at 18 minutes. 

A new mask gives the EV6 more visual oomph.

There are no changes to the EV6’s outputs with the rear-drive model producing 168kW/350Nm and the twin-motor AWD up at 239kW/605Nm. Kia has not detailed changes to the flagship GT model yet. 

In South Korea, Kia claims to have tweaked the settings of the EV6’s frequency-selective dampers. It’s unclear whether the same changes will be made to Australian cars given Kia’s local ride and handling program. 

Other improvements include improving insulation for the electric motors and adding strengthening material to the body. 

Australia pricing will be revealed closer to the EV6’s launch. The current line-up runs from Air ($72,590) to GT ($99,590, both before on-road costs).