Those who want an EV SUV that breaks the styling mold will naturally want to compare the Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y. Both all-electric SUVs are unique and popular models in this ever-growing segment, but one does pretty much everything better. Whether you compare the Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y styling, specs, or features, there’s more to be found in the Kia EV6, and our guide below will illuminate all the details that make it the better choice. Read on and then visit Jim Ellis Kia Of Kennesaw to test-drive this innovative EV.
Starting with Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y specs, we see more acceleration offered by the EV6. Specifically, the 2024 Kia EV6 can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds2 in its fastest configuration. The EV6 also complements its lightning-like 0-60 times with exclusive top-trim performance features like Drift Mode, which is not offered on the Model Y.
In comparison, the Tesla Model Y SUV’s fastest 0-60 mph time is 3.5 seconds, and that’s without counting the off-the-line rollout, which Tesla subtracts to try to look faster.
But most drivers will be looking for a trim in between the base and top models. In this area, the 2024 Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y comparison is also won by the EV6.
The other two Model Y configurations are the Long Range RWD, which does zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, and the Long Range AWD, which has a 4.8-second 0-60 mph time.
The EV6 has eight trims in total. While its longest-range RWD model is 0.2 seconds behind the base Model Y RWD model1, lower EV6 AWD trims can shoot from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds,1 which is 0.3 seconds faster than the Model Y Long Range AWD trim level. So, with a 0.3-second advantage in AWD trims compared to a 0.2-second disadvantage in RWD trims, we think this round clearly goes to the EV6.
Horsepower and other Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y specs can not be accurately compared, as Tesla tends to hide these numbers on their official model pages. The EV6, though, has up to 576 horsepower.
We think that transparency for specs already inspires more confidence; the EV6 winning the 2023 World Performance Car title2 seals the deal. The Kia EV6 also won the 2024 Car and Driver Editors’ Choice award for Electric SUVs,3 while the Tesla Model Y didn’t even make their list.
Sure, Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y specs offer fun in spades, but as electric SUVs, they have to offer responsible amounts of range.
The Kia EV6 can go for up to an EPA-estimated 310 miles.4 With this 310-mile range,4 it can achieve a 10-80% DC fast-charging time of just 18 minutes,5 which equates to 217 miles recharged in 18 minutes,5 or 12 miles per minute.5
The Model Y has up to an EPA-estimated 320 miles of range.6 Tesla claims that their Supercharger station can replenish the Model Y SUV’s range by 160 miles in 15 minutes,7 which translates to 10.6 miles per minute.7
Crunching the numbers, we see that the EV6 can recharge up to 180 miles of range in 15 minutes.5
So, while the Model Y has 10 more miles of maximum range,4, 6 the Kia EV6 can get 20 more miles of range recharged during a 15-minute charging session.5 We think that puts it ahead in the Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y showdown when it comes to road-trip readiness.
The 2024 Kia EV6 also includes 1,000 kWh of charging credits for the nationwide Electrify America charging network.8 For reference, the largest Kia EV6 battery is 77.4 kWh. So, does Tesla include free charging credits to compete with this? No, and to add insult to injury, they used to offer free Supercharging credits.
| 2024 Kia EV6 | 2024 Tesla Model Y | |
| Drivetrain | RWD or AWD | RWD or AWD |
| Horsepower |
– 167 (RWD) – 225 (RWD) – 320 (AWD) – 576 (AWD) |
Not listed by manufacturer |
| Torque |
– 258 lb-ft (RWD) – 446 lb-ft (AWD) – 545 lb-ft (AWD) |
Not listed by manufacturer |
| 0-60 |
– 6.7 Seconds2 (RWD) – 4.5 Seconds2 (AWD) – 3.2 Seconds2 (AWD) |
– 6.5 Seconds (RWD) – 4.8 Seconds (AWD) – 3.5 Seconds (AWD – rollout subtracted from time) |
| Maximum Range | 310 Miles4 | 320 Miles6 |
| Fast Charging Rate | 10% to 80% in 18 minutes5 (Up to 12 miles per minute5) | Up to 160 miles in 15 minutes7 (10.6 miles per minute7) |
| Free Charging Credits | 1,000 kWh on the Electrify America network8 | None |
So we’ve established that the Kia EV6 can accelerate faster, has a similar range, and can replenish that range faster. But what about the space you’ll access all these specs from? The Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y interior comparison comes next, and it’s where things get more interesting.
The Tesla Model Y interior is genuinely unique, but, in our opinion, not in a good way. Look at pictures of it, and, well, there won’t be much to look at.
The dashboard is a “board” in the truest sense of the word. There are no real details to speak of. The interior is entirely centered around a touch-screen display. There isn’t a gauge cluster, meaning you’ll have to take your eyes away from the road and navigate menus to see any piece of vehicle data. The center console is a plain, rounded unit. The door panels have a few accent lines; that’s about it.
Browse through our new Kia EV6 inventory, and instead of this empty space that leaves you wanting for visual intrigue and familiarity, you’ll get a stylish and intuitive interior that builds on tradition while looking to the future. The Kia EV6 sticks to what works while making it better, as aggressive style lines blend into curvy accents, making every inch a visual delight. All parts of the cabin work with each other to tell a story (rather than leaving the pages blank), and proper data-readout placement makes it an easier experience on the road.
While this part of the Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y comparison can be rather subjective, it’s hard to deny that the Kia EV6 interior has much more design effort put into it than the blank slate that calls itself the Tesla Model Y interior.
Moving on to features across these interiors, the 15-inch touch screen in the Model Y is larger than the 12.3-inch touch-screen in the EV6, but the EV6 also has a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, adding up to 24.6 inches of screen space: that’s 9.6 inches more than the Model Y.
While the Model Y has party tricks like available “Caraoke” through its screen, the EV6 prioritizes features that’ll genuinely be useful to you.
Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y features include standard vegan leather seat trim, power driver’s seat adjustability, heated front seats, automatic climate control, and wireless phone chargers in both models. But, while the Model Y can only get a fixed glass roof that acts like a greenhouse and may make the climate control work overtime, the EV6 has an available sunroof that can open up and let fresh air in.
The calling card feature of Tesla vehicles, Autopilot, is also equaled by the EV6. Highway Driving Assist 2 in the EV6 does pretty much everything that Autopilot can, bringing the Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y safety features comparison to a tie.
The EV6 also includes standard safety features like Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist 1, Driver Attention Warning, Lane-Keeping Assist, and Forward Collision Avoidance with Car, Cyclist, Pedestrian, and Junction Turning Detection, among others.
| 2024 Kia EV6 | 2024 Tesla Model Y | |
| Center Touch-Screen | 12.3 in | 15 in |
| Navigation | Standard | Standard |
| Gauge Cluster | 12.3 in – Fully digital | None |
| Heated Front Seats | Standard | Standard |
| Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Standard | Standard |
| Wireless Phone Charger | Standard | Standard |
| Power Driver’s Seat | Standard | Standard |
| Upgraded Sound System | Meridian Premium Audio – 14 Speakers | Tesla Premium Audio – 13 Speakers |
| Vegan Leather Upholstery | Standard (SynTex trim) | Standard |
| Front USB Ports | 5 | 5 |
| Semi-Autonomous Driving System | Highway Driving Assist 2 | Autopilot |
This part of the 2024 Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y comparison will be short: It’ll be a reflection of the options that Tesla gives you for configuring a Model Y.
The Model Y, specifically, is available in three trim levels, five paint colors, two interior colors, and three accessory options.
The EV6 is a reflection of the driver-oriented spirit of all Kia hybrid and electric vehicles. It prioritizes the fact that different drivers have different needs, offering eight trim levels, eight paint colors, six interior colors, and 10 accessory options.
So, if you want a vehicle with a minimalist interior and minimal options, the Model Y is certainly up to par. However, if you’d prefer a vehicle that can be configured in a way that suits your unique style and needs, the EV6 is the better choice.
There are negligible 2024 Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y differences when it comes to size. These two EVs are similar segment-sharing machines, but the Tesla Model Y is the larger of the two: 2.7 inches longer, 1.6 inches wider (without including mirrors), and 3.2 inches taller than the Kia EV6.
This makes the Model Y less capable of cramming into tight parking spots and less capable of looking like a sleek and stylish sports car.
The EV6 is designed to be thrilling to drive and look at. While its sharp rear end does make it deliver a bit less cargo room than the Model Y, you get a massive return in terms of excitement. Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y interior dimensions reveal that the smaller EV6 also provides more front legroom, plus more shoulder and hip room in every seat compared to the larger Model Y, which shows how this EV can make more out of its smaller size.
| 2024 Kia EV6 | 2024 Tesla Model Y | |
| Length | 184.3 in | 187 in |
| Width (w/o Mirrors) | 74.0 in | 75.6 in |
| Height | 60.8 in | 64 in |
| Front Legroom | 42.4 in | 41.8 in |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.8 in | 56.4 in |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in | 54 in |
| Front Hip Room | 54.9 in | 53.8 in |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.2 in | 50.6 in |
As a final Kia EV6 vs. Tesla Model Y point of comparison, the EV6 has a battery warranty that’s two years longer and one extra year on its basic warranty compared to the Model Y.9, 10
If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably already made up your mind and are ready to learn more about the EV6. We recommend our Kia EV6 vs. EV9 comparison next. After reading more about the Kia EV lineup, visit us to tour the Kia EV6 and take it on a thrilling test drive.
Pros of choosing the EV6:
Cons of choosing the EV6:
The Kia EV6 is better value for your money than the Tesla Model Y in many ways. For starters, it has a cabin with actual interior design rather than blank-slate minimalism. It also can accelerate faster, has an available sunroof while the Model Y only has a non-openable roof, and has many more configuration options to make your car truly your car.
Yes, the Kia EV6 can charge faster than the Tesla Model Y. The EV6 has a 10-80% DC fast-charging time of 18 minutes,5 which is a maximum of 217 miles in 18 minutes,5 or 12 miles per minute.5 The Tesla Model Y can use a Supercharger to replenish 160 miles of range in 15 minutes,7 which translates to 10.6 miles per minute.7
The Kia EV6 warranty compares quite favorably to the Model Y. In particular, the Kia EV6 battery warranty lasts two years longer than the one for the Model Y,9, 10 and its basic warranty lasts a year longer. The Kia warranty program is designed to provide full confidence and competitive coverage. Contact our team for full details on the Kia EV6 warranty.
1This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.caranddriver.com/kia/ev6
2For more World Car Awards information, visit https://www.worldcarawards.com/.
3This information is not verified by the official manufacturer and shall serve solely as unofficial general information. For details, visit: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a46550349/2024-editors-choice/
4Based on EPA estimates on a full battery charge. Actual range will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, charging practice, battery age, weather, temperature, and your vehicle’s condition. Battery capacity will decrease with time and use. For more information on range, please see www.fueleconomy.gov.
5Charge time with 800v DC fast charger. Actual charge will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, charging practice, battery age, weather, temperature and your vehicle’s condition. Battery capacity will decrease with time and use. Frequent use of DC fast charging can negatively impact battery performance and durability, and Kia recommends minimizing use of DC fast charging.
6Estimates only. For more information, please visit the official U.S. government source for all fuel economy at www.fueleconomy.gov
7Range added in 15 minutes is based on constant speed data.
8The Kia Charge Pass program is available on new model year 2024 Kia EV6 electric vehicles purchased from an authorized U.S.-based (excluding Alaska) Kia dealer. The 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging is non-transferable and not available for commercial use, such as ridesharing. Credits must be used within 3 years of vehicle purchase date. Kia Charge Pass Program requires the following: 8-digit Enrollment Code, Electrify America account, app, acceptance of Terms of Use, and enrollment in Kia Charge Pass plan. After user-initiated charge session stops or vehicle reaches full charge or charging otherwise stops, and 10-minute grace period has elapsed, Idle Fees will apply for which the user will be responsible. In the event of suspected fraud or abuse or other unforeseen events, Kia America and/or Electrify America may discontinue or modify the offer at its sole discretion..
9Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.
10Warranties listed on this web page shall not be solely relied upon. Warranties may be subject to specific terms, restrictions, exclusions, and fees. Additional warranty information may be obtained by visiting the official website of the warranty provider. Contact our dealership for complete details.
