Buy or Hold: Should you wait for Kia EV6 or buy Hyundai IONIQ 5?

With the tax breaks on electric cars in place, the EV vision of the Malaysian automotive industry has shifted into top gear. The market welcomes three luxury electric cars (Hyundai Ioniq 5, Mercedes-Benz EQA, and Volvo XC40 Recharge) in a short span of 7 days in March and has buckled up for more in the coming months. Included in the list of upcoming EVs is the new Kia EV6, which is set to arrive in April 2022 as recently confirmed by Dinamikjaya Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Kia cars in Malaysia.

The upcoming Kia EV6 will get the same drivetrain and features as the Hyundai IONIQ 5. We know Kia is a part of Hyundai Group and the two companies share platforms and tech. Despite that, the two Korean electric cars come with some differences. Here we put them in a head-to-head matchup to help you decide whether you should wait for the 2022 Kia EV6 launch or buy the already on sale Hyundai IONIQ 5. 

Note: For the Kia EV6 specifications, we have taken the global model as a reference. 

Design

The dedicated EVs of the two brands come with unique designs that do not resemble any other car model on the market. 

The IONIQ 5 has a sharp, squarish, and bold appearance with a retro theme inspired by Hyundai’s 1974 Pony Coupe. The car boasts a unique V-shaped front bumper, pixel-inspired squared-off LED headlamps, a clamshell front bonnet, aero-optimized wheels, pop-out door handles, pixelated tail lights, and a solar roof. It recently grabbed the title of 2022 UK Car of the Year. 

The EV6, on the other hand, incorporates a sporty design with a coupe-like profile and tons of curvy bits. The ‘Digital Tiger Nose’ front, jazzy LED headlamps, and high rear deck are sure to turn heads. This Korean EV has the 2022 European Car of the Year title under its belt.

Inside the IONIQ 5, you find plenty of rounded elements with futuristic vibes; the credit goes to a specially designed dual cockpit, bright colour theme, and simplistic door panels. However, the EV6 looks relatively conventional yet sporty with angular parts, dark colours, and edgy elements.

The Hyundai SUV is kitted with physical shortcut buttons for commonly used functions. At the same time, the EV6 has a more novel approach on this front with a multifunction panel of capacitive touch buttons for climate, audio, or navigation controls.

Dimensions

Specifications	Hyundai IONIQ 5	Kia EV6
Length	4,635 mm	4,695 mm
Width	1,890 mm	1,890 mm
Height	1,605 mm	1,545 mm
Wheelbase	3,000 mm	2,900 mm

In terms of dimensions, the Kia EV6 is slighter larger than the Hyundai model, but when it comes to height and wheelbase, the latter gets an edge.

Drivetrain

Based on the same Electric-Global modular Platform (E-GMP), the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 are equipped with the same batteries and motors. Hyundai Malaysia offers the IONIQ 5 in three trims - Lite, Plus, and Max. The first two are rear-wheel-drive models equipped with a single electric motor and a 58-kWh battery pack. On the other hand, the IONIQ 5 Max comes equipped with an all-wheel-drive setup, two electric motors, and a 72.6-kWh battery. The RWD version delivers a maximum power of 170 PS and a peak torque of 350 Nm, while the AWD is good for making 305 PS and 605 Nm.

In the global market, Kia also offers the EV6 in two battery packs - a 77.4-kWh long-range and a 58-kWh one with both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. The output levels are the same as the IONIQ 5 in the case of RWD models, while the AWD version gets a slightly higher power at 325 PS. The automaker might bring all these versions to the local market.

The top-spec Hyundai IONIQ 5 range maxes at 430 km, while the long-range Kia EV6 is said to run for 510 km on a single charge. 

Performance-wise, the top-spec Kia EV6 finishes the 0-100 kmph sprint in 5.1 seconds, while the IONIQ 5 takes 5.2 seconds to accomplish the same task.

Interior Features

The electric sisters from the same mother are well-kitted on the inside. Both feature a 12.3-inch infotainment unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charger, Bose sound system, powered seats, dual-zone automatic air conditioning system, leather seats, and more.

Safety 

Safety-wise, the Hyundai EV comes packed with tons of advanced active and passive safety features, including Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, High Beam Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Alert. The Kia EV6 is likely to get the same safety suite.

Price

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 price in Malaysia starts at RM 199,888 and goes all the way up to RM 259,888. The Kia EV6 is expected to get a similar price range on account of similar tech and drivetrain setup.

Well, both EVs are exceptionally hi-tech, with design as the significant difference. So, ultimately the choice depends on your preferences.

Also read: Kia will launch 14 new electric vehicles by 2027