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The 2021 Tesla Model Y might be the most popular and well-known electric crossover on the market. Contrarily, the 2022 Kia EV6 is a brand new EV that’s attempting to take over. The EV6 comes with so many amazing features; it’s already being called the next best electric SUV. In one crucial way, all-electric driving range, the Tesla Model Y bested the Kia EV6.

2021 Tesla Model Y: EPA estimated all-electric driving range

A red 2021 Tesla Model Y driving down a road, it has a longer EPA-estimated driving range than the new 2022 Kia EV6 crossover.
2021 Tesla Model Y | Tesla

Tesla is the industry’s electric vehicle giant. It got ahead of the game years ago, and everyone is just catching up now. One of the things it mastered early is the long-range battery. Since Tesla enabled its vehicles to travel over 300 miles on a single charge, other automakers have worked to do the same. The Kia EV6 has a very respectable, good all-electric driving range, but it just isn’t enough.

The Tesla Model Y bested the Kia EV6 with its EPA estimated 326 miles of all-electric driving range. The $53,190 Long Range model earns 326 miles on a single charge, compared to the $62,190 Tesla Model Y Performance, which offers 303 miles. Regardless of which model you choose, you’ll be able to get further than most people ever need to without range anxiety.

2022 Kia EV6: EPA estimated all-eletric driving range

2022 Kia EV6 GT setting the stage to kill the Kia Stinger, the Tesla Model Y has a longer EPA estimated driving range.
2022 Kia EV6 GT | Kia

According to a press release from Kia Motors, the EPA estimated range for the EV6 is 310 miles. That is the highest all-electric driving range the crossover can achieve. It’s only possible when the EV6 is equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive. This particular drivetrain setup comes on the top trims; therefore, bottom trims will get a lower range.

For the more affordable EV6 trim levels, the range will drop to 274 and 232 miles. The first number is when the EV6 uses an all-wheel drive and the 77.4 kWh battery. The other is for the 2022 Kia EV6 models with rear-wheel drive and the smaller 58.0 kWh battery.

ModelElectric Driving Range
77.4 kWh battery, RWD310 miles
77.4 kWh battery, AWD274 miles
58.0 kWh battery, RWD232 miles
Specs and information courtesy of Kia Motors.

The 2022 Kia EV6 is more affordable than the Tesla Model Y

The official price structure for the Kia EV6 has not been announced yet. However, KBB made a strong estimate on what the starting price will look like, and it landed at around $45,000. The EV6 First Edition that sold out in one day costs $58,500. That is likely the most expensive model since the automaker only made 1,500 units.

Compared to the Tesla Model Y, it’s a no-brainer. Not only is the Model Y roughly $8,000 more expensive for the cheapest model, but it’s also barely ahead in driving range. A Model Y might be the electric crossover of choice if the all-electric driving range is super important to you. However, a 16-mile driving range difference won’t be very noticeable for most people. What will be evident is all the extra cash it will cost to own a Tesla.

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