As India’s EV wave picks up pace, several exciting electric car launches took place in the month of May 2022. The latest being the launch of BMW India’s third, full-electric offering the i4 executive sedan on May 26. Right after the BMW, will come the launch of the much spoken about Kia EV6 on June 2. The unique electric crossover has made headlines as details on the EV get shared in reviews and articles recently. While both these offerings may have very different body styling, they do share similar price brackets, range and several other parameters which are likely to spark comparison between the two luxury EVs.
Larger battery packs and 500+km range:
Both the BMW i4 and Kia EV6 AWD are EVs that are offering 500+km range on a full charge to prospective buyers. At this benchmark, both cars have enough juice to be considered as a complete replacement to an ICE vehicle. While the BMW derives its 590km range (WLTP) from a 80.7kWh battery pack, the Kia claims that the EV6’s 77.5 kWh battery is good for more than 500 kilometers. During our review, we determined a real life range of 400 plus kilometers from the Kia and we will confirm the same for the BMW i4 after our first drive. 
Proper performance figures:
Sporting 300hp+ power figures, both EVs are super-quick, boasting of 0-100km/h times of under 6 seconds. The BMW’s rear axle-mounted motor produces 340 PS and 430 Nm, while the Kia EV6 AWD dual-motors produce 325 PS and 605 Nm. The extra torque could be the difference between EV6’s 5.5 second 0-100 km/h time when compared to the BMW’s 5.7 seconds on paper. Top speed for both the EVs has been electronically limited at 190km/h. 
Dimension:
At 4,783mm the BMW i4 is longer than the Kia EV6, but the Korean EV is larger in every other department on paper. The EV6 is wider than the i4 by 38mm, taller by 102mm and has a 44mm longer wheelbase. In contrast to the i4’s coupe like sloping roofline, the EV6 has a sleek crossover roofline that goes straight.
Interiors and features:
On the inside both luxury EVs are well appointed in terms of ambience and features. The BMW i4 gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment display. On the UI front, the system runs BMW’s latest iDrive 8 interface that supports OTA updates. It also features 360-degree camera, 3-zone climate control, a sunroof, powered front seats, all LED lighting and much more. On the other end, the Kia EV6 has a very modern cabin that also has an ecological edge. The EV6 dashboard uses a lot of recyclable materials without compromising on luxury. The digital cockpit comprises of two 12.3-inch screens, that provide 24-inches of curved display real estate, for driver information and entertainment. It also features 360-degree camera, a sunroof and powered front seats. But the Kia takes it a step further with ventilation integrated in the front seats. 
Safety features and price:
Both luxury cars feature a suite of active and passive safety features. While the i4 is expected to be offered with BMW’s standard Driving Assistance package with camera and radar based systems. The Kia EV6 also comes with a number of ADAS features that help avoid collision such as blind spot detection, lane change assist, park assist and more. Adaptive cruise control will also make driving on highways a lot easier.
At Rs 69.9 lakh for the BMW i4 and an expected launch price of close to Rs 65 lakh for the Kia EV6, these vehicles might be from different segments but are certainly catering to India’s luxury buyer. Both EVs are arriving in India through the CBU route, however, the Kia might be the choice for those looking for more exclusivity as only 100 units are being sold in the first batch.
