Innovative offering signals the beginning of the brand’s transformative ‘Plan S’ electrification strategy
IRVINE, Calif. – Marking the Kia brand’s global shift to sustainable mobility, the Kia EV6 has been named one of three finalists for the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards™. Announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show, this news comes just three years after the brand’s popular Telluride SUV earned the same recognition and then went on to win the prestigious award.
“The EV6 signals a new era for our brand as we venture out to the forefront of electrification, and we are honored that it has been named a finalist for the coveted North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Award,” said Steven Center, COO and EVP, Kia America. “This innovative EV crossover leverages its advanced platform to set a high watermark in all areas, including technology, performance and convenience.”
NACTOY jurors vote on finalists after spending months driving dozens of new vehicles throughout the year. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially new and must be available at dealerships within a reasonable time from the announcement of the awards, which will take place on January 11. This year, the field of semi-finalists included 13 models in the utility category.
The EV6 is built on the new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The available state-of-the-art 77.4kWh high-density lithium-ion battery has an EPA-estimated range up to 310-miles (Wind RWD and GT-Line RWD models). Furthermore, its 800V multi-charging architecture enables ultra-fast DC charging capability to take the battery from 10 to 80 percent charge in under 18 minutes. In terms of power and performance, the EV6 GT-Line can accelerate from zero-to-60 in 4.6 seconds.
