Kia America announced Wednesday that the 2023 Kia EV6 will start at $49,795, including a $1,295 destination charge. That effectively raises the price of entry to the automaker's flagship electric vehicle by $7,100 over the 2022 model. Previously, the Light base trim started at $42,695 including destination, though that model has now been discontinued and replaced by the Wind RWD trim.
While there's no denying the eye-popping price hike due to Kia playing Musical Chairs with the EV6 base models, a massive range increase accompanies the new higher price. The former entry-level EV6 offered a range of just 232 miles on a single charge, while the new Wind RWD model can travel up to 310 miles. That's a 78-mile range increase—or roughly $91 for every mile of range gained. Is that enough to justify Kia's hike? You be the judge.
![](https://cdn.oriwave.net/atc/data/19653_2023_EV6.jpg)
It is worth noting that the overall move doesn't sit well with current events, given that EVs are still notoriously expensive compared to their combustion counterparts. Any affordable-ish electric car like the EV6 was a welcome change, yet today we have one less model than we did yesterday. The EV6 also doesn't qualify for the $7,500 tax credit due to the current Inflation Reduction Act guidelines, so it slowly but surely starts to paint a pricey picture for potential owners.
Kia spokesman James Hope toldThe Autance the base model of the 2022 EV6 was axed due to "strong sales and consumer demand."
![](https://cdn.oriwave.net/atc/data/Screen-Shot-2022-11-09-at-12.48.25-PM.png)
If you're looking for higher-end models, including the 576-horsepower GT trim, a $1,000 increase applies to all 2023 models of the sleek EV. In exchange, buyers will get 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging at Electrify America charging stations.
Got a tip? Email us at [email protected]