The US version of the EV6 doesn't get the adaptive headlights (aka matrix headlights) that the European EV6's get because they weren't legal in the US until last month so I'm guessing that's why the headlights aren't great. Some of us are hoping that the 2023 US model will get them.

 

Some of us are hoping that the 2023 US model will get them.

If you watched the reveal of the Fisker Ocean, Henrik talked about the long production process of mass market vehicles. He said it typically takes 4-4.5 years for new products to make it into the vehicles. Sadly that's just the reality.

So I wouldn't hold your breath. They won't make it until the first refresh of the EV6, if i had to guess.

 

Yes, I agree.
The lights need to be adjusted up a few small turns.

But they also need to be swept to the left a few turns.
Driver side about 3-4 1/4 turns, and Passenger side about 2-3 1/4 turns.

 

They could have at least gave us projector led' in stead of reflective.

 

I thought the lights were terrible in a 2 day loaner (in the UK) I had back in November - the matrix function is at best clumsy and dim-witted, at worst way too slow to react and hence potentially dangerous. The active led (ie matrix) headlights i have on my XC90 are orders of magnitude better so careful what you wish for here guys, you will not be impressed

 

I think the active matrix LEDs in mine are OK. The only dim-witted bit I don't like is the delay in going back to full when they have been dimmed. They certainly don't seem to be slow to react when a car is approaching and I've never been flashed for blinding an oncoming driver.
Compared to other cars with active matrix LEDs that I've driven, the main difference seems to be there are fewer active LEDs so the switching patterns are a bit coarser.

 

 

America, always late for everything.

 

Funny, I was thinking the same thing the last time I visited the USA. When I was a kid (back in the 80s) America was the golden land, so far ahead of Europe, and everything was so exciting. Now…not so sure. But I guess this isn’t the right forum for that discussion!

 

I thought the headlights (not matrix) were bad too - but then my dealer adjusted them up a tad. Now they are fine and I’m never getting flashed.

The headlights on the EV6 doesn’t spread the light well, so if they are just a tiny bit too low it can make a big difference.

 

Can someone please show with a picture how to adjust them?

 

I am away from my car right now. But will take pictures when I get back to the office.

In the meantime, open your hood and look to the right and the left just behind your headlamps in the engine compartment.

Stand facing the car and look directly down,, and you'll see two holes about 2" apart from each other.
One shows U<>D, up/down.
the other shows L<>R
left-right.
The passenger side Left-Right orientation is correct. The driver side, is actually backwards.
(But when you are facing the car making your adjustment, the direction is correct.)
I actually wanted to sweep the lights to the right.

Make sure you're watching the wall,, So as to see what direction the light is heading.
Turn slowly, do not force it.

☆ At night, and in a safe location, ,,

Find a flat level surface to park on and back up about 25 to 30 ft and you will be able to adjust your headlamps that way.

You will also need at least an 20 to 25 inch long or longer, Phillips head screwdriver that will pass through that hole,, do not force it through the holes just put it through until it stops or bottoms out and then you can rotate the screwdriver and that will turn the Cog.


The left and right adjustment,,
Has a black plastic cap over the backside of it, you will be able to see if you shine a flashlight through.
You can remove that cap with a pic or something that will pull it off,, it's on tight, but it will come off, work it away from frt towards the windshield.

Then you can adjust your left<>right movements.

 

Glad to hear I'm not alone. First night drive I thought, "I can't see crap out there." New $60k car I'll get the dealer to adjust them. Should be free.

 

Glad to hear I'm not alone. First night drive I thought, "I can't see crap out there." New $60k car I'll get the dealer to adjust them. Should be free.

Take your business elsewhere if it isn’t.

 

As promised,
Here is a Picture of the adjustment holes location for the None Jewel style head lamps in the U.S.

I adjusted the driver side,, more to the left, so I could see more of the road to my left,, but not so much as to put the beam directly into oncoming traffic.
For the passenger side,
I compensated for those moves, and Swept the passenger side beam, slightly to the left.

In my view, the passenger side beam was showing more of the right-hand curb or road area, then I needed or preferred.
Where I have them adjusted now is way more usable and cuts down on eye fatigue.

 

I wanted to also throw out there that there were protective caps over the sideways adjusters for my headlights. Proof they just slapped them in the car and didnt bother. After getting everything lined up they are soooo much better.

 

I have 4000 miles as since march 12th. I adjusted mine again on another road trip. They are getting better with each adjustment.

 

I agree with you, I am used to driving vehicles which much better lights too.

They are not the best I have seen, but are pretty good.

 

Before I took delivery of my EV6, I saw this post and was concerned. I really wanted an improvement over the headlights in my current vehicle, a 2016 BMW 228ix. I was very pleasantly surprised and the Kia's headlights were much much brighter than my BMWs. I'm not sure what other's are experiencing, but I am quite happy with the EV6's headlights.

 

Did your 228ix have LED headlights? Usually coming from halogens or HIDs, LEDs would look much brighter.

 

I am glad to see others are having the same issue with the headlights as it is very difficult to see to drive with the headlights projection being a very short distance. It’s dangerous. Oncoming headlights shone right in your eyes and it’s virtually very low visibility for safe driving. I’m getting mine adjusted tonight thankfully. Has anyone had any issues with the heads up display getting very bright at night which must be a sensor issue? Hoping that’s all it is. Mine flashed on and off brightly at night driving when the weather was rainy. Made it almost impossible to see.

 

FYI, UK "Air" (base model) headlights also rubbish, I hoped they were out of alignment but dealer checked & said they were in spec. :0(

Probably the worst thing about a really good car.

UK "Air" probably = US "wind" (but they wouldn't use that name here!)

 

All models in the US and Canada get the same multi-reflector headlights as your Air model. We don’t have projector headlights on the GT-Line models like you do.

 

Has anyone driven these in snow yet? The snow builds up in the bays/fronts of the highlights, not sure why they did this for these. Perfect place for snow to pack in.

Builds up and stick to this yellow zone. how it intended here.

 

Ya know....some of us still drive 12 year old domestic sedans. Makes the EV6 headlights seem like star wars technology...😁

 

A Phillips works. If you look down behind the hole, you’ll see where it engages the teeth of a wheel that moves to raise the lens. If you don’t see movement, screwdriver may be too short. I used a 12” one. Put a mark on the top of screwdriver so you can count the rotations you make. I settled at 1.5 with my previous Genesis and 1 w/EV6. Take a drive and see if you get flashed by other drivers (no comments from the peanut gallery). Then add a half rotation at a time until you’re happy. Small increments make a difference.

 

Are you turning the screwdriver or moving it back and forth? Does that make sense?

 

You're Absolutely Welcome!

The Bottom line is,,, The lights seem Filtered/Less Bright than they could be.
Maybe they are trying to help range by cutting back on wattage from the lights.
But I can say this,, once adjusted to your liking,
You will find acceptability in the projection pattern.

 

The best pattern that seems to be the Sweet Spot for me is,>> having the driver side beam aimed dead straight on forward ( I / ) and the passenger side beam similar but angled to the right, or aimed wider to the lane to the right. / But not too far as to pick up the curb, but enough to brighten the lane to your right a bit.
So as to have a wider spread beam.

 

Absolutely right! We needed to drive down a dark country road for miles last week. They are some of the worst we have experienced. People know what’s good and what’s not. Our 5 Series headlights
are tremendous. They bathe the area, far and wide. We won’t be taking the EV6 out at night.

 

I just don't understand why they couldn't just add the Matrix LED Projector headlights. It doesn't make sense, and in today's world cars at this price point are not using LED Reflector Headlamps.

 

Until February this year, LED matrix headlights were illegal in the US. I don't know if they can be retrofitted to models manufactured before this date, or even if Kia have fitted them now.

In the UK, I think only the GT-line S and the GT are fitted with Matrix LED headlights.

In a similar vein regarding US lighting regulations, in 2000, an earlier car of mine was the first production car to have LED tail lights as standard. These were illegal in the US so the car wouldn't get type approval.

In 2003, the manufacturer wanted to re-enter the US market so they were forced to change the tail lights to incandescent bulbs. In the process of making the bulbs fit, the predominant styling feature of the car was destroyed to accommodate out-dated US regulations.

 

Forget Matrix LED, the car should have at least come with normal projector based LED lights rather than reflector housings. My former 2018 Honda civic had better lighting using it's OEM halogen projector housing with retrofit LED bulbs.

 

Improved headlights boost 2023 Kia EV6 to Top Safety Pick+ award

Better headlights boost the electric small SUV to Top Safety Pick+.

www.iihs.org

 

This makes me happy for the 2023 EV6 owners…the rest of us…we are stuck (for now).

 

I wouldn't want Kia's cheap implementation of matrix headlights anyway

Compared to the EU id4

I'd much rather that they didn't cheap out with reflector LEDs and put in projectors. Charge me an extra 50-100 bucks. Fine. Whatever.