Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona Electric VS 2023 Kia EV6

The Kona Electric has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The EV6 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Kona Electric and the EV6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona Electric the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 221 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The EV6 has not been tested, yet.

The Kona Electric’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the EV6’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona Electric for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the EV6.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 9 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The Kona Electric’s electric motor produces 34 more horsepower (201 vs. 167) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (291 vs. 258) than the EV6 Light’s standard electric motor. The Kona Electric’s electric motor produces 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (291 vs. 258) than the EV6 Wind/GT-Line’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Kona Electric gets better mileage than the EV6:

			MPGe
Kona Electric
	FWD	Electric Motor	134 city/106 hwy
EV6
	RWD	Light Electric Motor	136 city/100 hwy
		Wind/GT-Line Electric Motor	134 city/101 hwy
	AWD	Electric Motors	116 city/94 hwy

The Kona Electric can travel longer on a full charge than the EV6 on a full charge:

			Miles
Kona Electric
	FWD	Electric Motor	258 miles
EV6
	RWD	Light Electric Motor	232 miles
	AWD	GT Electric Motors	206 miles

For better maneuverability, the Kona Electric’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the EV6’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Kona Electric’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the EV6 GT’s (34.8 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Hyundai Kona Electric may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 950 pounds less than the Kia EV6.

The Kona Electric is 1 foot, 6.7 inches shorter than the EV6 Light/Wind, making the Kona Electric easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Kona Electric has a standard rear wiper. The EV6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Kona Electric, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kona was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The EV6 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.