The tester I reviewed was a really nice-looking Kia EV6, and to my shock and pleasure, I only realized what trim level it was after I had wrapped up my road test. That’s when the surprise hit me: this futuristic, premium-feeling EV was the 2025 Kia EV6 Light RWD — the base model. If this is the “entry-level” car, I can’t imagine what else you’d ever need from the upper trims (except maybe AWD for those Canadian winters).
At $48,995 as tested, the EV6 Light RWD punches far above its weight. If you’ve been EV shopping lately, you’ll know that’s an impressive price for a fully electric crossover with this much tech and style. Kia didn’t just bring an EV to the table; they brought one that feels like it belongs in the luxury conversation without the luxury price tag.
If you haven’t already, check out my colleague Chantale’s mini-video review of the EV6 — she’s a pro at giving people a quick snapshot of whether a car deserves a closer look.
Comparing to Tesla: The Benchmark Question
Let’s be clear: Tesla remains the benchmark brand that every other EV gets compared to. Why? Two big reasons. First, Tesla was the first mainstream automaker to go all-in on EVs. No gas, no hybrids, no excuses — just electric. Second, Tesla has the largest proprietary charging network in North America, and in Canada especially, all other OEMs are either playing catch-up or outright leaning on Tesla’s Supercharger infrastructure.
So, how does the Kia EV6 stack up against Tesla’s golden child, the Model Y?
From a size perspective, the EV6 and Model Y are nearly identical in length, width, wheelbase, and rear passenger room. The Tesla has the edge in cargo space, but Kia’s coupe-like styling makes it the better-looking of the two (subjective but go park them side-by-side).
Range is also close. With the long-range battery, the EV6 delivers up to 513 km on a charge, while the Model Y posts 500 km for AWD and 542 km for RWD. That’s a photo finish.
But here’s the catch — and it’s a big butt (pun fully intended): a similarly equipped Model Y is about $10,000 more expensive than the EV6. For that premium, yes, Tesla provides a slightly larger trunk and arguably the most advanced range/charging navigation system on the market. Tesla’s software actively reroutes your trip, shows available chargers, and even factors in wait times. Simply put, the Tesla will not let you run out of juice unless you really try.
Kia’s system is good — it shows range (factoring in climate), nearby stations, and has a decent route planner. But it’s not Tesla-level wizardry. That said, the EV6’s cockpit and infotainment layout leave Tesla’s “giant iPad on a stick” feeling like a budget airline kiosk. More on that in a second.
And don’t forget, you can now plug your EV6 into Tesla’s charging network. That $10,000 difference suddenly feels even harder to justify.
(Quick pro tip: check out our friends at CarCostCanada for real-world pricing, incentives, and financing rates. Knowledge is horsepower when you’re deciding whether that extra $10K is really worth it.)
Real Rivals: The EV6 vs the Pack
If you’re leaning AWD, Kia prices the EV6 Land AWD at $58,495. Its main competitors stack up like this:
- 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Preferred AWD – $57,499
- 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select AWD – $54,995
- 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro AWD – $57,995
- 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD – $56,998
As you can see, it’s a tight pack. Prices, ranges, and features all overlap, leaving EV buyers in a fog of confusion. Again, CarCostCanada is your friend here — use it to compare standard equipment and figure out where you’ll get the best value (and monthly payment).
Why the EV6 Deserves a Hard Look
After living with the EV6 Light RWD tester, here’s why I’d recommend it — especially at under $50K:
- 800-volt architecture – Most mainstream EVs run on 400v systems. The EV6 doubles that, which means faster DC charging and more futureproof tech. Porsche-level engineering in a Kia badge.
- Head-turning design – Yes, beauty is subjective, but the EV6 has bold styling that looks more like a German coupe-SUV than a mass-market crossover. Park it next to a Mach-E or ID.4 and watch it steal the spotlight.
- Serious speed – The base EV6 hits 0–100 km/h in just over 5 seconds. Go for the performance model, and you’ll shave more than a second off that. Instant torque = instant grins.
- Tesla network access – Enough said. You get Kia pricing with Tesla charging convenience.
- A cockpit done right – This is where Kia pulls ahead. The driver-centric design, dual curved infotainment screens, haptic climate controls, and generally futuristic vibe make it a place you want to sit. Tesla’s minimalist approach feels sterile by comparison. Kia’s interior feels like it was designed for drivers, not for Silicon Valley coders.
Dollars and Sense
Here’s the tough part: EVs still aren’t cheap to lease. The EV6 is going out the door at around $750/month plus tax for a longer terms lease. Kia, like many OEMs, isn’t offering deeply discounted interest rates on EV leases right now.
If you love the EV6 but want to save some money, check out LeaseBusters. A lease takeover can get you into an EV6 for a shorter term and without the hefty upfront costs of starting a fresh lease.
And in the end……
The 2025 Kia EV6 is the real deal. Even in its base Light RWD trim, it looks premium, drives like a performance crossover, and packs tech that rivals — and in some ways surpasses — the EV icons. The Model Y may still wear the benchmark crown, but at $10K less, the EV6 makes a compelling case for dethroning it in your driveway.
James Matthews is the President, General Manager and Co-Founder of LeaseBusters. James launched LeaseBusters in 1990 and is considered one of Canada’s leading experts on new vehicle leases, lease-take-overs and vehicle lease (re)marketing. James can be reached directly at jmatthews at leasebusters.com