
The 2022 Chicago Auto Show is happening through the middle of February 2022, and this time, we got to get in on the party and check out what’s happening. Test drives, Camp Jeep’s new mountain, arcade-like simulations, and previews of upcoming vehicles – there was a lot going on. At the same time, it felt like there could have been…more? Some exhibits were just large dealership showrooms with someone talking with a microphone. Yours truly got to do a couple of test drives for Kia vehicles, so I’ll be sharing my experiences here.
Test Drives: Kia EV6 and K5
I actually had two experiences with the Kia EV6. The first was a ride-along in a small, closed test-track (seen above). After getting into the front passenger seat, the driver for the event took us slowly around a turn before gunning it to show off the power of the Kia EV6. Ladies and gentlemen, this was a Kia EV6 First Edition, featuring dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup with a 77.4 kWh battery that powered a 160kW front motor and a 270kW rear motor. 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds is no joke, and the switch to “Sport” mode really showed the level of control an electric vehicle (EV) can provide thanks to all that torque that can be generated at 0 RPM – capable of up to 538 lb. -ft. of torque. The rest of the drive was the driver talking about all of the features like I was a clueless consumer – hahaha.
Later, I got in line to test two Kia vehicles we’re fans of. I of course had to get behind the wheel of the EV6 to test that power for myself, and it did not disappoint. It was smooth, quiet, and didn’t feel much different from a regular vehicle. The interior is pretty high-tech (seen above), and the varying drive modes really change it up! The Kia EV6 in Sport Mode makes the throttle and the brake system so sensitive that just tapping the pedal can send it soaring down the road or bringing it to a stop.
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