Nissan Ariya vs Kia EV6 | Which one will you buy?

The rollout of new EV and plug-in hybrid models across different segments is good news for consumers looking for an alternative-fuel vehicle that will fit their needs. And in this video, we are going to look at two of those alternatives. We are talking about the Nissan Ariya and the KIA EV 6. Both cars are amazing in their own right but when you compare them both, it stands to question, which is better.
We will look at its design features, performance, speed, and price tag, and even recommend the car we think is better. So, let's get into it.
Nissan Ariya vs KIA EV 6 overview
We’re not entirely sure how an inanimate object can be ‘honorable’, but that’s the meaning of this electric SUV's name. The Nissan Ariya is the Japanese brand’s second proper electric car and its first new one for more than a decade.
Design Features
Inside, the EV6's design and layout are not as daring as the outside, but the configuration and features look more attractive and futuristic than any other current Kia model. Other touches that stand out are the two-tone, two-spoke steering wheel, the prominent start button on the center console, and the gold accents that are tastefully placed throughout the cockpit.
For Nissan Ariya, even with the odd but curiously alluring metallic brown of the launch cars, the Ariya looks like a handsome package. The large grille and contrasting roof and pillars cleverly hide the bulk of the car, as do the enormous 20-inch wheels with matching wheel arch extensions.
Inside, the Ariya’s flat floor makes for a vast cabin with plenty of space for passengers.
Performance
Available with a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle or an electric motor on both axles, the EV6 can be configured with rear- or all-wheel drive.
While all-wheel-drive models have the larger battery pack and either 320 or 576 total horsepower, the base rear-drive example has a smaller battery and just 167 horsepower. Opting for the bigger battery boosts the rear-drive EV6's total system output to 225 horsepower. Kia has tuned the EV6 with the aim of making it more fun to drive, and it has a larger 77.4kWh battery to give all versions an official range of well over 300 miles. And thanks to its super-fast 235kW charging, you can top up the battery from 10-80% in as little as 18 minutes – quicker than you can charge a Tesla Model Y.
For the Nissan Ariya, Buyers will be able to choose from 63kWh or 87kWh battery packs. The figures refer to the actual usable capacity rather than the overall size. Two-wheel drive versions can be specified with either pack with the 63kWh producing 214 horsepower and the 87kWh delivering 239 horsepower to the front wheels.
All versions will be able to accept a rapid DC charge at speeds of up to 130kW, which is on a par if not fractionally quicker than its rivals with the notable exception of the Tesla Model Y, which can charge at well over 200kW. The 63kWh model will be able to charge from 10-80% in an estimated 31 minutes while the 87kWh version will do the same in around 35 minutes.
Speed
In cheaper RWD form, the Kia EV6 has one 226 horsepower motor driving the rear wheels, giving a performance that’s decent, doing a 0-60 in 6.9 seconds.
The Ariya’s speed, on the other hand, Company officials estimate the acceleration of 0-to-60 in 7.2 seconds. And if that's not enough, Nissan will happily sell you a two-motor 2023 Ariya with E-4orce AWD. Checking this box essentially doubles the power, delivering 389 horsepower and a whopping 443 pound-feet of torque.
Price
Two models will go on sale in the U.S., with a 58 kWh 'Light' model starting at $40,900 and a 'Wind' 77.4 kWh model with a $47,000 starting price — meaning the bigger battery is a $6,100 expense. The Light trim is rear-wheel drive only, while the Wind trim can be upgraded to a dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain for an additional $3,900.
Meanwhile, a sportier GT-Line model will also be available for $51,200. Like the Wind trim, this only gets you rear-wheel drive. Upgrading to all-wheel drive will cost you $4,700 more.
Nissan is targeting pricing between $40,000 and $60,000 for the Ariya depending on powertrain, battery, and content, making this model a clear strike at the heart of today's EV market. On the shallow end, the Ariya's FWD Venture Plus trim starts at $47,125 including a $1,175 destination fee, but if you include its $7,500 federal tax credit, the price goes down to $39,625. The better you want your Ariya, the more expensive it becomes, but it is worth it.
Both cars are good, but in this little comparison, we are going to give it to the KIA EV6. Its features and performance knocked the Nissan Ariya out of the park.
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