The 2024 Kia EV6 vs. the Volkswagen ID.4: Which of these electric SUVs is better?

By Nick Kurczewski

They are close in price and range, and both have great safety ratings.

Buyers considering an electric vehicle that's practical and personable should look to the 2024 Kia EV6 and 2024 Volkswagen ID.4. Both offer a slightly elevated ride height typical of an SUV, along with fresh and modern cabins filled with the latest in technology.

Of the two, the Kia EV6 is the extrovert. Its swept-back shape makes it look like a cross between a wagon, SUV, and sports car. Now in its third model year, the EV6 continues to impress us with its power, efficiency, and sharp handling. Opt for the range-topping EV6 GT, and you'll get a 500-plus horsepower powertrain that's good for a sprint to 60 mph in a supercar-like 3.5 seconds.

The Volkswagen ID.4 may not possess the same visual pull as the EV6, but it's still an attractive 5-seat SUV in a more reserved way. This more conservative approach has other benefits, such as a roomy cargo area and an excellent outward view.

Let's see how the 2024 Kia (KR:000270) EV6 and the 2024 Volkswagen (XE:VOW) ID.4 compare.

2024 Kia EV6

The 2024 Kia EV6 offers a choice of two battery sizes, rear- or all-wheel drive, and EPA driving ranges between 218 and 310 miles. Standard 800-volt DC fast charging capability allows the EV6 to be recharged from approximately 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes.

For 2024, the entry-level EV6 Light RWD model has been made available across the U.S. - sales were previously limited to California. It has a starting price of $42,600, not including a $1,325 factory-to-dealer delivery fee.

Kia EV6 highlights

EV6 GT performance: Want to humble some supercars with your next electric vehicle? The top-of-the-line EV6 GT can do that, thanks to two electric motors, the larger 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and AWD. Punch the accelerator, and you'll rocket to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. That's fast, folks, really fast. One caveat: The EV6 GT has only 218 miles of range, the shortest in the 2024 Kia EV6 range.

Sleek infotainment system: The dashboard features a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster mounted flush alongside a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. This expanse of screens gives the EV6 the look of a space shuttle. The logical controls and menus are even better. While it's s easy to build a flashy infotainment unit, Kia has crafted one that's also user-friendly for daily driving.

A trim for all EV needs: We like the variety of trims offered by the EV6. It can be a zippy runabout in Light RWD format or a zero-emission sports car with the GT. There is a lot of gray area in the middle, however. A nice balance of value and performance is the EV6 Light Long Range RWD. It costs about $45,000, and the single-motor 225-hp powertrain provides 310 miles of range.

Read more: Kia jumps into electric car price wars by bringing back the EV6 Light

2024 Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 enters its fourth model year with notable performance updates that apply to the larger of the two available battery packs. A rear-wheel-drive ID.4 with this updated 82-kWh battery sees horsepower jump from 201 to 282. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive ID.4 with this same battery now has 330 horsepower versus 295 previously.

The range has also been nudged higher this model year. The maximum range now stands at 291 miles, whereas the 2023 ID.4's best was 263 miles. A 12.9-inch touchscreen is fitted to upper trims this model year, too. Pricing starts at an expected $40,000.

Volkswagen ID.4 highlights

Standard safety features: The ID.4 has several active safety features bundled into what Volkswagen calls the IQ.Drive safety suite. This consists of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more.

Improved range: We're happy to see Volkswagen is keeping the ID.4 fresh and even more practical by boosting its driving range this year. With 291 miles per charge, the ID.4 is now competitive against a growing lineup of electric rivals.

Cargo volume: True, the ID.4 lacks the visual punch of the Kia EV6. But you can get more cargo inside courtesy of its rounder shape. Behind the split-folding rear seats, there are 30.3 cubic feet of cargo volume. That's a generous amount of space and more than the Kia EV6 provides.

You might also like: The 2024 Kia Niro EV vs. the Nissan Leaf: See how these two compact electric cars compare

Similarities

The EV6 and ID.4 have similar starting prices and maximum ranges within 19 miles of the other. Each also scores top marks in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's a major bragging point for any vehicle, gas- or electric-powered.

Conclusion

Electric car shoppers who want to stand out from the crowd will prefer the Kia EV6. It has a head-turning shape that gives this Kia a seriously sporty flair. Having a high-performance model like the GT only adds to this Kia's racy allure, although the range takes a hit.

The Volkswagen ID.4 is more sensible and straightforward in its approach. It looks more like a regular run-of-the-mill SUV with room for five onboard, and the added range for 2024 makes it much more attractive. For many people, having a lower starting price and extra cargo space is far more important than flashy looks and blisteringly quick acceleration. It also has a significantly tighter turning radius than the Kia.

Read: Here's your ultimate list of best-buy cars, trucks, SUVs and EVs for 2024

Still, all things considered, the Kia EV6 gets the nod in this comparison. You get more for your money with the Kia, which is loaded with personality and is offered in a greater variety of trims than the ID.4.

                           2024 Kia EV6                                       2024 Volkswagen ID.4 
   Starting Price          $42,600                                            $40,000 (estimated) 
   Popular Powertrains 
   Engine                  167-hp single electric motor with 58-kWh battery  201-hp single electric motor with 62-kWh battery 
   Horsepower              167 hp                                            201 hp 
   Torque                  258 lb-ft                                         229 lb-ft 
   Transmission            1-speed automatic                                 1-speed automatic 
   Fuel economy MPGe       136 city/100 highway/117 combined MPGe            122 city/104 highway/113 combined MPGe 
   Also Available          Dual-electric motors, 77.4-kWh battery, AWD       Dual-electric motors, 82-hWh battery, AWD 
   Specs 
   Basic Warranty          5 years/60,000 miles                               4 years/80,000 miles 
   Powertrain Warranty     10 years/100,000 miles                             8 years/100,000 miles 
   NHTSA Overall Safety    5 star                                             5 star 
   Max Seating Capacity    5                                                  5 
   Wheelbase               114.2 inches                                       108.9 inches 
   Overall Length          184.3 inches                                       180.5 inches 
   Width                   74.0 inches                                        72.9 inches 
   Height                  60.8 inches                                        64.5 inches 
   Turning Diameter        38.2 feet                                          31.5 feet 
   Headroom, Front         39.0 inches                                        40.6 inches 
   Headroom, 2nd Row       38.0 inches                                        37.9 inches 
   Legroom, Front          42.4 inches                                        41.1 inches 
   Legroom, 2nd Row        39.0 inches                                        37.6 inches 
   Shoulder Room, Front    57.8 inches                                        57.5 inches 
   Shoulder Room, 2nd Row  55.6 inches                                        55.9 inches 
   Cargo Volume            24.4 cubic feet                                    30.3 cubic feet 

This story originally ran on KBB.com.

-Nick Kurczewski

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01-04-24 0503ET

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