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What's the difference?
Going electric has never been cooler and Kia has beefed up the line-up of its mid-sized EV6 so buyers have the same number of options as its fiercest competitor - the Tesla Model Y.
On test this week is the Air, which is the entry-grade model but it still boasts the same battery size and excellent charging capacity as its more powerful siblings. All packaged into a more affordable price-point but with popular rivals like the Model Y and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 as running mates, how does it compare?
My family of three have been family-testing it to find out for you!
Not many people even know what a Cupra Ateca V is… and this is the second best thing about this small SUV. The first best thing is that Cupra is owned by Volkswagen.
So, this means you can have your mysterious SUV not many other people drive while knowing it’s underpinned by one of the largest car manufacturers in the world which makes cars millions of people drive and one which also has a reputation for high quality vehicles.
The big news here is the Ateca model range has a new and lower entry fee with the arrival of this V grade. See, until now the only Ateca Australians could buy is the high-performance VZx which while really sporty also came with a pretty big price tag.
So, how much is the Ateca V and what do you get for the money? We found this out at the Australian launch along with how practical and safe it is and what it’s like to drive.
The Kia EV6 Air offers comfort, a good range of features and beautiful handling for a ‘base model’, but it is a little pricey considering its competition.
Having said that, if you’re looking for an EV that will fit the family and has a stellar safety list – this is one to consider.
My son reckons the EV6 looks 'really cool' and he loves the space in the back seat.
The Cupra Ateca V is a much needed more affordable way into this small SUV while still offering a high-end feeling with plenty of standard features. Yes, the V isn't as high-powered as the VZx but it's still great to drive in the city and on the open road. Big on the inside and small on the outside the Cupra Ateca can perform urban and (small) family duties well.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.
The EV6 is cool and fun-looking, but being the base-model does mean you get plastic rather than body-coloured mouldings around the base of the car, which highlights its grade level.
The exterior hosts 19-inch alloy wheels and a full suite of LED lights but misses out on the upgraded Matrix headlights that the higher grades get.
The exterior's swoopy curves look aerodynamic and the chunkier rear balances out the sharper nose.
The interior looks well-made, and the mix of high-end cloth and synthetic-leather materials complement the futuristic exterior aesthetic.
The dashboard is headlined by a curved panel that houses the dual 12.3-inch tech screens and the floating centre console leans into that future vibe again.
There's a nice mix of touchscreen and physical buttons to satisfy a wide audience. Overall, while it’s not as flashy as its siblings, the cabin of the Air is very pleasant to look at.
Once you know the Cupra Ateca V is closely related to the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Karoq you can definitely see a resemblance. Still, all three have their own look with the Cupra clearly given the role of being the fierce, sporty one.
While the Ateca V doesn’t have the same menacing styling as the VZx, it’s definitely a seriously sporty looking SUV with its 19-inch alloys, aggressive front bumper, triangular LED running lights and blacked out wing mirrors, roof rails and CUPRA lettering across the tailgate.
The bronze Cupra logo really signals the sporty intent of this brand and I’ve been told on more than one occasion that it looks like a biohazard symbol by people confused by what it is I’m driving. According to Cupra the blade-like design represents “the sense of belonging to a clan”.
Measuring 4381mm long, 1841mm wide and 1625mm tall with 2630mm wheelbase the Ateca V is about 15cm shorter in length than a Tiguan, but as you’ll see in the practicality section the interior dimensions might be larger than you think.
The Ateca V’s cabin is full of dark-coloured materials with black leather upholstered sports seats and steering wheel. In the same way it feels like Batman designed the exterior the interior it has a ‘Made in Gotham City’ feel with a brooding style incorporating high quality textures and surfaces.
The space in the EV6 rivals much larger SUVs and tall families will rejoice with how much leg- and headroom you get in both rows.
The comfort for passengers is pretty good, with comfortable seats in both rows that feel well-cushioned. The floor in the rear is flat, which accommodates any middle-seaters.
Being the base grade, you don’t get electric front seats, which is a bit rough for its price point but the driver’s side does get powered lumbar support, which I appreciate on longer journeys.
Individual storage is fantastic for the class and the front gets two cupholders, a drink bottle holder in each door and glovebox and middle console. There are multiple storage nooks and a utility tray on the topside of the floating centre console (sized for items like keys, wallet, phone etc).
The large shelf underneath the centre console easily accommodates a handbag and snacks for any kids in the back (or adults, no judgement).
Individual storage in the back is as good as the front, with plenty of spots to tuck away all of the paraphernalia that kids seem to attract. There are also two cupholders in a fold-down armrest, a drink bottle holder in each door and map pockets.
On the whole, my seven-year-old really enjoys being in the back seat because of the amenities and space he has. He finds the EV6 to be an easy car to get out of but we all struggle with the flush door handles! They can be terribly annoying to use as they don’t pop out on approach or when you unlock the doors. If you have your hands full and have little T-Rex hands like me, it can be awkward to open.
What isn't awkward to use is the technology! The 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system is quick to respond and the system itself is easy to navigate once you spend some time with it.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is semi-customisable but not as pretty in its graphics as it could be. It has two styles to choose from - white or black, and the white is a little too sterile for my liking.
The multimedia system features wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and built-in satellite navigation with map updates for 10 years.
Charging options are solid with a single USB-A and and two USB-C ports up front, a wireless charging pad and a two 12-volt ports to choose from. The rear enjoy a three-pin standard house port and two USB-C ports as well.
The back seat has a 60/40 split and it's handy that you can lower them from the boot with manual levers. The boot itself is a good size with 490L when all seats are in use but you miss out on a powered tailgate in this model.
The frunk storage also offers an additional 52L, which is perfect to keep any charging cables or the tyre mobility kit stored away.
The Ateca V is only about 4.4m long which is a lot shorter than a Kia Sportage, Nissan X-Trail or Subaru Forester, which are truly mid-size SUVs. So, the Ateca is a small SUV but on the larger side compared to say a Volkswagen T-Roc.
Despite its fairly diminutive exterior proportions the Ateca V has excellent storage and is remarkably spacious. If you have a young, small family and want a five-seater SUV big enough for them but small enough to make urban driving easy the Ateca V ticks both boxes.
Up front there are the gigantic door pockets, two cupholders, a decent-sized covered centre console bin and under-dash storage with wireless phone charging and two USB ports.
The second row is incredibly spacious for a small SUV with so much room for me at 189cm tall to sit behind my driving position. Headroom is excellent, too.
There are also cupholders in the fold-down armrest, two USB ports and big door pockets.
The back door apertures are tall and wide which makes getting little kids in and out of their car seats easier for parents.
A 485L cargo capacity is large for the class and under the boot floor is a space-saver spare wheel.
The Kia EV6 Air is the base-model in a four-variant line-up but is still priced at $72,590 before on road costs.
That positions it as the most expensive option compared to its nearest rivals. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 2WD is the closest at $71,000 but the Tesla Model Y RWD base model is $7190 more affordable.
Compared to it's siblings, the Air isn’t as well-equipped with the luxury features, but it doesn’t feel basic either because the technology is top-notch.
There is a 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, plus built-in satellite navigation, as well as wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other tech features include dual-zone air-conditioning, single USB-A port, four USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad and a full suite of LED lights.
A mixture of premium cloth trims and synthetic-leather upholstery gives the cabin a premium feel, but being the base model does mean you miss out on the upgraded sound system. The base sound system with its six speakers is sufficient for every day use.
The seating features manual adjustments, but the driver's side does enjoy powered two-way lumbar support, which I appreciate on a long journey.
The Ateca model now has a lower priced grade called the V and it lists for $51,990. That’s more than $10K less than the top-of-the-range VZx which has been out for a couple of years and lists for $63,490.
The Ateca V might be less expensive but the features list is still impressive. Coming standard are 19-inch alloy wheels, sports bumpers, LED headlights, running lights and puddle lights. There’s a proximity key and power tailgate with gesture control, too.
Inside black leather upholstery is standard, so are heated front seats and steering wheel, there’s dual-zone climate control, a power driver’s seat, a 9.2-inch media display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging.
As for options, you can have a panoramic sunroof for $1850 and premium metallic paint for $490.
There’s also the optional 'Tech Package' for $2950 bringing a Beats stereo system and a 360-degree camera. But the best thing about the pack is it also adds dynamic chassis control which adds adaptive suspension, so when you select 'Comfort' mode the suspension becomes softer, and in 'Sport' mode the suspension firms for better handling.
Rivals to the Ateca V include the Lexus UX and Volvo XC40 but also its Volkswagen Group cousins such as the Skoda Karoq and VW Tiguan R-Line.
The EV6 Air is a single-motor rear-wheel-drive that produces a maximum power output of 168kW and 350Nm of torque.
The Air has the slowest 0-100km/h sprint time in the EV6 range at 7.3 seconds, but that’s honestly enough for my little family. It still feels pretty damn zippy when you put your foot down.
The Ateca V has a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine making 140kW and 320Nm. That’s a step down in output compared to the VZx’s 221kW and 440Nm, but the V doesn't feel underpowered.
A seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission shifts gears lighting fast with the drive going to all four wheels. Yes, it’s all-wheel drive.
Officially, you get a driving range of up to 528km (WLTP) from the 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery. However, the longest range I ever saw was 480km, which admittedly is still very good.
The EV6 Air has a Type 2 CCS port, which means you can benefit from plugging into a fast charger and the accepted voltage is a whopping 800v.
On a 50kW system, you’ll get from 10-80 per cent charge in 73 minutes and on a 350kW system, which charge time drops to just 18 minutes.
Expect it to take longer on AC charging, though. To get from 10-100 per cent on an 11kW system, it will take approximately seven hours and 20 minutes. On a standard house plug ... expect it to be on charge for around 30 hours.
The Air also has a vehicle to load (V2L) capability – meaning, it has a standard house three-pin plug port available to charge larger appliances while on the go.
The official combined energy consumption is 16.5kW/100km (WLTP), and my usage came out at 16.02kW after a mix of open-road and urban driving this week.
Cupra says that after a combination of open and urban roads the Ateca V should use 7.1L/100km. That’s not hugely fuel efficient and urban consumption of 8.6L/100km will mean higher fuel bills than a hybrid SUV of this size.
On the launch we saw a fuel consumption average of 7.7L/100km and that’s after city roads, motorways and country roads.
Once we have the Ateca V in our CarsGuide garage we’ll be able to perform a real-world test of its fuel consumption.
The Ateca V has a 55-litre fuel tank and requires 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. Theoretical driving range is around 775km.
The EV6 Air handles itself really well, it's been hit by torrential rain and didn’t skip a beat.
The Air really grips the road and distributes the power through the rear wheels evenly. Even at higher speeds, there’s no wobble and it feels stable when you accelerate.
Steering is on the right side of firm and makes the Air feel very zippy when navigating tight city streets.
There are three levels of regenerative braking available, as well as a one-pedal function called iPedal, which is probably the best I’ve sampled and I like how responsive it is in stop-start traffic. However, when using this function on hills, I still hover over the brakes as it can still roll forward a bit.
The cabin can get really loud from road noise at higher speeds, but it seems to come from underneath the carriage, rather than through the windows. The suspension is well-cushioned but not spongy.
Parking the EV6 isn’t an issue once you get used to the rotary gear selector and the reversing camera is super clear. You get a 360-degree system on higher grades but the Air does come with front and rear parking sensors.
The launch of the Ateca V saw us drive the V and the VZx back-to-back, which highlighted how good the V is for the money when it comes to its on-road performance.
The 2.0-litre engine is superbly responsive with loads of torque for such a small petrol SUV, while the dynamics were equally impressive on winding country roads. Even when those roads occasionally and suddenly turned from bitumen to dirt at 100km/h excellent all-wheel drive traction kept everything under control.
The Ateca V we tested has the optional Tech Package fitted which adds dynamic chassis control and adjusts the suspension in the Comfort drive mode setting to a softer level compared to the firmer level in Sport. The ride in any mode, however, is comfortable with great handling.
As standard the Ateca V is given sports suspension and after a quick sample of the Ateca V with this set-up I also found the ride to be comfortable and composed.
There's good visibility even through the rear window, along with nicely weighted accurate steering and a good pedal feel under my feet make the Ateca V effortless and enjoyable to drive.
The Kia EV6 Air is well equipped with safety features and it's here that you don't feel like you're in the 'base model'.
Standard features include the biggies like forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping aids, lane departure alert, driver attention alert, reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors.
Considering the Air is a base model, it's also great to see items like blind-spot collision avoidance, safe exit warning, rear occupant alert and haptic-feedback on the steering wheel (as an additional 'sense' warning).
I rejoiced when I discovered that the Traffic Sign Recognition technology has been tweaked to not sound or alert on every traffic sign or speed change. It still chimes in school zones, but you no longer have to go into the menu to downgrade the sensitivity! Hurrah!
The Air has AEB with car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction turning assist, which is operational from 5.0 - 85km/h but it is usual to see that top figure be well above 100km/h, so this is surprising.
The EV6 achieved a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022 and features seven airbags, including the newer front centre airbag.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the rear outboard seats plus three top-tethers. You might get lucky in fitting three skinny child seats but two fit the best and there’s plenty of space for front passengers when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed too.
The Cupa Ateca V hasn’t been tested by ANCAP and the Euro Ncap result of five stars (which is the maximum) has now expired because it was so long ago (2016).
Still, while much of the safety tech isn’t as cutting edge as some new SUVs , there’s AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, rear traffic alert plus front and rear parking sensors.
The airbag count runs to seven, including a front centre bag to minimise head clash injuries in a side-impact.
For child seats there are three anchor points and two ISOFIX mounts in the back.
The EV6 comes with a leading seven-year/unlimited-km warranty. The battery covered by a separate seven-year/150,000km term, but this is a smidge shorter than some of its rivals.
You can pre-purchase either a three-, five-, or seven-year servicing program, priced at $721, $1382 and $2045, respectively. All of which are reasonable for the class.
The seven-year program runs up to a max 105,000km.
Servicing intervals are more in line with a fuel-based car at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
The Ateca V is covered by Cupra’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing needed every 15,000km or annually.
You can buy a five-year service plan for $1990 - which isn’t overly pricey.