Kia EV6 vs BMW i4 Review: Which one should you buy
Finally, EVs are making a foray into the premium and luxury segments in the Indian market. Hitherto, only mainstream carmakers like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, etc., were producing EVs for the mass market. And that is good as it encourages buyers to buy EVs. But here is the catch: you have to shell out an extra premium to buy an EV for a greener environment. They ask for unattainable prices, unlike combustion engine-powered vehicles, and have cabin space issues. The best example is the BMW i4. The i4 is an electric version of the BMW 4 Series and is a segment below the BMW 5 Series. The ongoing ex-showroom price of the BMW 5 series starts at Rs 64.5 lakh, whereas the BMW i4 price is Rs 69.9 lakh. Buyers know what the BMW 5 series can offer: space, comfort, features, and power. But buyers tend to think that the lower the series of BMW cars, the cheaper they will get, and that is what it has always been.
Moreover, the production costs of EVs are way higher than those of internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicles.
On the other hand, Kia India launched their first EV-dedicated vehicle, the Kia EV6. In terms of price, it is the closest rival to the BMW i4 in India. And both have entered the Indian market via the CBU route. So, which EV seems to be the better deal? Let’s find that out.
Kia EV6 vs BMW i4: Battery, Power, and Range
The Kia EV6 offered in India is exclusive to the top-spec GT-Line trim. It gets a 77.4kWh battery pack that powers two motors (each in the front and rear axles), making it an AWD that produces 325bhp. The EV6 also gets a single motor at the rear axle, making it an RWD that produces 229bhp. Besides that, Kia India has plans to add more Kia cars to their EV domain.
The EV6 has a standard-speed charger and a fast charger (DC).
The Kia EV6’s 350 kW DC fast charger can replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent within 18 minutes! That’s pretty impressive! Unlike the DC charger, the 50-kW fast charger will take 73 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent.
In terms of acceleration, the Kia EV6 can sprint from 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.
On the flip side, the BMW i4 specifications include an 80.7 kWh battery pack that delivers power to a single motor at the rear axle, making it an RWD. The machine produces 335bhp and 430Nm of torque, paired with a single-speed fixed ratio automatic transmission. As for acceleration, the BMW i4 can run from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. To read the expert’s opinion on the German electric sedan, check out the BMW i4 review.
Apart from the powertrain, the BMW i4’s fast charger of 205 kW takes 31 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent charge, while the 50-kW charger takes 83 minutes to replenish the batteries from 10 to 80 per cent.
As for the range, the BMW i4 has a claimed range of 590 km, whereas the Kia EV6 has a claimed range of 510 km.
Kia EV6 vs BMW i4: Dimensions
The BMW i4 eDrive40’s dimensions measure 4783mm in length, 1852mm in width, and 1448mm in height, and it sits on a wheelbase of 2856mm. The BMW i4’s ground clearance is 125mm. It also has a decent boot space at 470 litres and is further expandable by folding the 60:40 rear seats.
On the other hand, the Kia EV6’s length is 4695mm, making it shorter in overall length than the i4. However, its width is 1890mm, its height is 1550mm, and it has a longer wheelbase of 2900mm than the German sedan. The Kia EV6’s ground clearance is 178mm, which is ideal for Indian roads, making it higher than the BMW.
The Kia EV6’s boot space is 572 litres, making it further expandable by folding the 60:40 rear split seats.
In reference to these figures, the Kia EV6 seems more practical as it will offer extra shoulder room, legroom, and headroom. Even when loading luggage, the EV6 can accommodate them with ease.
Kia EV6 vs BMW i4: The Money Bits
Let’s begin with the Korean electric vehicle. The Kia EV6 is available with two drive-trains: RWD and AWD. The Kia EV6 price starts at Rs 63.47 lakh for the RW Drivetrain, while the AW Drivetrain variant is Rs 68.72 lakh.
On the other hand, the on-road Delhi price of the BMW i4 eDrive40 is Rs 73.91 lakh. It has only one option on offer.
All prices are introductory as of July 2022.
Verdict
So, these are the newcomers in the luxury EV segment. Both EVs are good in their respective ways. The Kia EV6 seems more practical with the type of dimensions it has. However, at the same time, the BMW i4 also won’t disappoint you. The legroom at the rear in the i4 can be a bit compromised, while the EV6 will offer better legroom. But, the only disappointing part of these cars is that the rear passenger will end up sitting in a knees-up position due to the battery packs beneath the floor. So, that can be a bit disappointing for rear passengers during long journeys.
In terms of features, both cars are well-equipped. Whether it’s safety, infotainment or entertainment, these two should put a smile on your face. More or less, the features will vary between the two.
As for the drivability, the BMW i4 seems more promising even in the EV domain, as BMWs are known for being driver-oriented.
To compare the BMW i4 and the Kia EV6 in dimensions, engines, comfort and more, you can select the “compare cars” section under the “cars” category on autoX. After choosing the preferred vehicle, you can check the on-road price in your city.
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