Kia is forging into one of the hearts of the burgeoning electric vehicle market with the EV6 compact crossover.

Kia’s first EV on a dedicated platform comes in a base standard range version starting at $42,115 and moves up the pricing ladder to a GT-Line dual-motor priced at $57,115. Both prices include shipping.

The base Light trim comes with a 58-kilowatt-hour battery pack rated at 232 miles of range on the EPA testing cycle. The midrange Wind and top GT-Line trims come with a 77.4-kWh battery pack with up to 310 miles of range.

The EV6 is available in all 50 states at launch.

It is similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and shares Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP electric platform. Competitors include the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID4.

We’ve gathered some early reviews from the automotive media.

“Having already sampled the standard-battery, rear-drive EV6 overseas, we focused our drive time on the big-battery, all-wheel-drive version of the EV6. Its 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque is delivered smoothly, linearly, and immediately — not so different from other similarly powerful EVs, but still thrilling. The EV6 rapidly reaches any speed within the range of posted limits; Kia estimates a 5.1-second 0-60-mph time, likely conservative given the 4.4-second sprint our test team recorded from an equally powerful Ioniq 5.

“The accelerator pedal’s directness makes shifting the car’s balance intuitive. It is easy to get the EV6 to squat down on its rear tires and leap out of corners. Toggling through Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes changes the pedal’s responses, from intentionally lazy in Eco to almost alarmingly aggressive in Sport. Those modes also change the torque balance between the front and rear drive motors, minimizing the front’s involvement in Eco to maximize range and adjusting the split dynamically in Sport to optimize traction.

“Don’t mistake those paddles on the steering wheel for shifters — they’re toggles that allow the driver to choose the level of regenerative braking. The driver can completely switch off the regenerative effect (like engine braking), allowing the EV6 to keep momentum when the accelerator is lifted. When fully armed, the regenerative function allows for one-pedal driving — which Kia calls I-Pedal — by slowing the vehicle strongly, even on downhill gradients. In I-Pedal or any of the three levels below it, the driver can choose their desired braking effect while putting charge back into the battery.”

— Alex Leanse, Motor Trend

“The EV6 rides on a front strut, rear five-link suspension that’s tuned on the firm side but soaks up the most jarring jolts from the road surface. Single-motor rear-wheel-drive versions ride a bit better overall, we noted from first drive impressions. Four-wheel disc brakes (vented in front) work in conjunction with regenerative braking (using the motors to regain energy), blending them flawlessly as you get to the final few feet of a stop. The EV6 has a lot of poise and agility in tight corners, despite a curb weight that can pass 4,600 lb in some versions, but don’t expect a sports-car feel or much communication from the steering wheel.

“Normal, Eco, Sport, and Snow driving modes are offered, as well as six different settings for regenerative braking — selectable with steering-wheel paddles — ranging from a L0 coast mode to an aggressive L4 mode, as well as an I-Pedal setting for one-pedal driving and an Auto mode that adjusts regen to factors like surrounding traffic. Eco mode runs the climate control at a more conservative setting, and Sport mode sharpens accelerator response.”

— Bengt Halvorson, The Car Connection

“Kia paid particular attention to the charging experience; the EV6’s 800-volt system boasts some of the fastest theoretical charging speeds on the road today. At a 350-kW DC fast charging station, the Kia can add up to 180 miles of range in around 15 minutes and hustle through a 20-80% charge in around 20 minutes. At a slower 50-kW DC station, a full charge takes a little over an hour, while an 11-kW Level 2 home or public station takes between 6 and 7 hours. Every EV6 includes 1,000 kWh of complimentary charging at Electrify America stations, and some quick back-of-the-napkin math figures that to be around 3,500 miles of free best-case-scenario range.

“I only wish the EV6’s charging port was located near the front, rather than its current spot above the rear bumper. In my experience, it’s usually easier to pull nose first into most charging stations — particularly in lots with angled parking — but that’s mostly nitpicking. The EV6’s charging port is also bidirectional. With the aid of the included vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging adapter, users are able to plug in 110-volt accessories and appliances for mobile or emergency power. Kia gives the example of powering a home refrigerator for more than 300 hours (almost two weeks) in the event of an extended blackout. There’s also a second 110-volt outlet beneath the rear seats. Owners can set a discharge limit on the V2L output, ensuring there’s enough range to get home at the end of a day tailgating.”

— Antuan Goodwin, Road Show by CNET

“Just like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 has two big side-by-side displays, but using them for the first time is a little bit jarring. The left display is filled with graphics that look like a gaming PC when in sport mode (which is likely ‘most of the time’) and isn’t information rich. It is a little less cluttered in other modes. The center display is a bit better, especially when CarPlay and Android Auto are introduced.

“Kia had us use their own mapping software for the trip, and I found it to be harder to follow than Android or iOS options. These UX factors are things that will likely grow on EV6 owners, but hopefully Kia will also do some OTA updates.

“One thing I loved is the automatic side cameras when turn signals were invoked as well as surround-view when backing out of a parking space. Also, it is always nice to have CarPlay and Android Auto. But probably the thing as a Tesla driver I like most was the heads-up display. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and Kia’s isn’t, but damn if it doesn’t make driving a whole lot easier.”

— Seth Weintraub, Electrek

“We like the comfortable seats, which are covered in grippy black microfiber with light gray accent stripes. There is a clever USB port on the seatbacks for the rear passengers, who enjoy plenty of room themselves. The floating center console houses the start/stop button, a round gear selector, and a wireless phone charger. Two screens, the center one touch sensitive, stretch in front of the driver. The steering wheel is a futuristic two-spoke design. This interior does not try to emulate conventional cars, instead underscoring that the EV6 is something different.

“It’s worth taking the time to toggle through the different styles for the digital instrumentation, to adjust the space-age artificial sound or turn it off, and to familiarize yourself with the driving modes and recuperation settings. The Meridian audio system sounds great. However, we were not impressed by the look and performance of the navigation system nor with the menu structure of the infotainment system.”

— Jens Meiners, Car and Driver

“On the road, the EV6 is an absolute charmer. It’s smooth, refined, and quiet, minus a bit of road noise from that larger rolling stock. There’s a six-step regenerative braking system with the most aggressive “i-mode” bringing the car to a full stop and an advanced suite of active safety equipment — including an updated Highway Driving Assist — that allows for minimal driver interference on especially boring stretches of road.

“Unlike its corporate cousin the Hyundai Ioniq 5, though, the Kia EV6 handles twisty roads with more poise. It has a wonderful steering feel — perfectly weighted, quick but not twitchy, and easygoing in Eco and Normal modes — and a suspension tuned specifically for sportier driving.”

— Jeff Perez, Motor1.com

“As an EV enthusiast who enjoys the rocket-ship launches from a Tesla Model S Plaid or Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance vehicle, I want to get thrown back in the seat. The mapping of the go-pedal delivering the EV6’s 320 horses was tame in comparison. The EV6 is not slow, but it cautiously unfurls power to, once again, protect all-important range.

“EVs come automatically with a high torque that most drivers of gas cars will find remarkable. So, Kia doesn’t deliver wallops of acceleration, instead allowing the exterior design to convey sportiness. The jet-fighter audio track piped into the cabin during rapid acceleration completes the impression.”

— Bradley Berman, Autoweek