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21 Posts
Looking forward to info. exchanges as things progress:
I had a 90-minute test drive of Kia EV6 GT-Line S RWD (single motor) on 10th October near my home in Fife, Scotland.
First impressions were very good with wide screen dash and pretty good seat adjustment like my I-Pace HSE electric adjust. Seats were suede style finish with artificial leather white edge trims. Not quite as relaxed feeling as with my Jag and no extension under knee area but otherwise quite comfortable and felt they would be good for distance stuff. Driving was mixed motorway and country roads. Liked the wheel mounted "mode" buttons rather than having to locate the "dynamic" button on centre console in Jag. Very impressed with the dash blind spot camera view when left or right indicators were switched on. Head up display was pretty good but felt not quite as good as Jag in that could feel slight eye focus correction in moving between dash or ahead view. Handling was good but not quite as sharp a turn in as in Jag. Had to turn wheel a wee bit more than expected to cut the overrun in first sharp bend! Fine once aware. Suspension also slightly harsher (against Jag "Air" suspension of course) over poor road surface, fine on M'way. Acceleration and braking were smooth and progressive but of course not quite comparable with RWD only version driven. Shouldn't be too far off with AWD version though according to claimed stats (5.2s 0 - 62mph). Wireless phone charging tray in centre rest was also welcome. The mapping display on 12.2 in. screen was slightly smaller scale than I am used to and apparently only updates at annual dealer visit at present but announced recently that service period is 2 years and told that SOTA in development? Quite a lot of learning will be required to get full benefit from layouts available I think, so not long enough to properly form opinions. On switching off could see that touch screen would need a polishing cloth to be kept handy though!
Not what I expected as "Panoramic” roof but happy with opening standard fit (over front seats) sunroof with electric blind and opening.
The full GT model will only be available late next year but suffice to say that I was convinced enough to order an AWD GT-Line S model with heat pump after the test. Advised that any orders placed in October (as opposed to pre-order launch sold out) will be scheduled in January factory run for UK delivery in March 22. Decided to sell my I-Pace HSE now and chance anticipated Kia March delivery date confirmation, expected January when build slot matched to order. As retired, SWMBO will lend her car at times needed! The chosen Kia dealer does not have Jaguar outlet and was quite open in advising that a direct sale from me to a Jaguar dealer. should be quite an improvement on the CAP trade price level even with a little enhancement, that he could offer. My own local supplying Jag dealer offered same as could be offered by Kia dealer and WBAC so not a lot of thought required to accept an increase of £3.5K from “Webuysupercars”. Replacing the Jag apparently entails at least 6 months wait and a lot more cash to go for a new HSE.
The Kia EV6 at offers comparable (or at least "good") handling, comfort, equipment, apparent build quality and dare I say style?
It's not a Jag but given the differences I'm happy to try EV6 for another 3 probable and up to 7 available years of warranty covered motoring with hopefully a happier support experience with software or any other problems should they arise.
I had a 90-minute test drive of Kia EV6 GT-Line S RWD (single motor) on 10th October near my home in Fife, Scotland.
First impressions were very good with wide screen dash and pretty good seat adjustment like my I-Pace HSE electric adjust. Seats were suede style finish with artificial leather white edge trims. Not quite as relaxed feeling as with my Jag and no extension under knee area but otherwise quite comfortable and felt they would be good for distance stuff. Driving was mixed motorway and country roads. Liked the wheel mounted "mode" buttons rather than having to locate the "dynamic" button on centre console in Jag. Very impressed with the dash blind spot camera view when left or right indicators were switched on. Head up display was pretty good but felt not quite as good as Jag in that could feel slight eye focus correction in moving between dash or ahead view. Handling was good but not quite as sharp a turn in as in Jag. Had to turn wheel a wee bit more than expected to cut the overrun in first sharp bend! Fine once aware. Suspension also slightly harsher (against Jag "Air" suspension of course) over poor road surface, fine on M'way. Acceleration and braking were smooth and progressive but of course not quite comparable with RWD only version driven. Shouldn't be too far off with AWD version though according to claimed stats (5.2s 0 - 62mph). Wireless phone charging tray in centre rest was also welcome. The mapping display on 12.2 in. screen was slightly smaller scale than I am used to and apparently only updates at annual dealer visit at present but announced recently that service period is 2 years and told that SOTA in development? Quite a lot of learning will be required to get full benefit from layouts available I think, so not long enough to properly form opinions. On switching off could see that touch screen would need a polishing cloth to be kept handy though!
Not what I expected as "Panoramic” roof but happy with opening standard fit (over front seats) sunroof with electric blind and opening.
The full GT model will only be available late next year but suffice to say that I was convinced enough to order an AWD GT-Line S model with heat pump after the test. Advised that any orders placed in October (as opposed to pre-order launch sold out) will be scheduled in January factory run for UK delivery in March 22. Decided to sell my I-Pace HSE now and chance anticipated Kia March delivery date confirmation, expected January when build slot matched to order. As retired, SWMBO will lend her car at times needed! The chosen Kia dealer does not have Jaguar outlet and was quite open in advising that a direct sale from me to a Jaguar dealer. should be quite an improvement on the CAP trade price level even with a little enhancement, that he could offer. My own local supplying Jag dealer offered same as could be offered by Kia dealer and WBAC so not a lot of thought required to accept an increase of £3.5K from “Webuysupercars”. Replacing the Jag apparently entails at least 6 months wait and a lot more cash to go for a new HSE.
The Kia EV6 at offers comparable (or at least "good") handling, comfort, equipment, apparent build quality and dare I say style?
It's not a Jag but given the differences I'm happy to try EV6 for another 3 probable and up to 7 available years of warranty covered motoring with hopefully a happier support experience with software or any other problems should they arise.