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Ford Explorer vs Kia EV6 (2021-2024)
At a glance
In this comparison, Ford Explorer leads on city driving, while the Kia EV6 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
Choose the Kia EV6 (2021-2024) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Kia EV6 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Ford
6.1
Kia
6.1
Too close to call
Motorway RangeKia
Ford
3.5
Kia
7.6
FamilyKia
Ford
6.7
Kia
7.2
ChargingKia
Ford
4.6
Kia
8.3
Cost Per MileKia
Ford
3.5
Kia
6.3
City DrivingFord
Ford
5.4
Kia
3.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,185 (better) | £40,895 |
| Official range | 273 miles | 328 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 470 L | 490 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min | 18 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Ford Explorer
Kia EV6
Length
Ford Explorer4,468mm-212mm
Kia EV64,680mm
Width
Ford Explorer1,872mm-8mm
Kia EV61,880mm
Height
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Kia EV61,550mm-80mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,468 mm | 4,680 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,872 mm (better) | 1,880 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,063 mm (better) | 2,141 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m (better) | 11.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 528 mm spare (better) | 520 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 916 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L | 490 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1460 L (better) | 1300 L |
| Frunk | Not available | 52 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,000 kg | 1,600 kg (better) |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |  Kia EV6 Air 77.4kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.68m+212mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.88m+8mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | 2.14m+78mm |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.55m-80mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.90m+133mm |
| Ground Clearance | 193mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L | 490L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1460L (better) | 1300L |
| Frunk | Not available | 52L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 916mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m (better) | 11.6m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,908kg | Not available |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000kg | 1,600kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 77.4kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi | 328 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW | 239kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,185 (better) | £40,895 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,685 (-£1,500) | £40,895 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2021–2024 |
* Kia EV6: Heat pump: optional on GT-Line and GT-Line S, standard on GT, not offered on the entry car at launch.
* Kia EV6: Headline WLTP figure for this drive type; versions on larger wheels are rated lower.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles | 328 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 183 miles | 273 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min | 18 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW | 239 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 164 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh | 77.4 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NCMA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 800V (better) |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | Not available |
| Power | 140 kW | 168 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm | 350 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Kia EV6
Air 77.4kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Kia EV6 Air 77.4kWh
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users64%
Safety Assist87%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years (better) | 7 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet, comfortable ride and the planted, enjoyable handling, often rated above the VW ID.4.
- Efficiency is a strong point: owners report around 3.4 to 4 miles per kWh, 300+ miles from a full charge in mild weather and about 200 in winter.
- Rear-seat space is generous, and the interior is felt to be a step up from other Fords.
Watch out for
- A few owners report electrical faults soon after delivery (warning lights, a failed instrument display, a car that would only select neutral), with long waits for a diagnosis.
- Several owners report slow repairs, parts waits and difficulty getting a courtesy car, and some dealers were unfamiliar with the car.
- The heat pump and head-up display are extra-cost options.
Owner tips
- Precondition the car before cold-weather journeys to keep efficiency up.
- Check the car thoroughly on collection, including paint and every warning light, before accepting it.
Kia EV6
Air 77.4kWh
Owners love
- Very fast rapid charging, with owners regularly seeing 200 kW or more on ultra-rapid chargers
- Comfortable, quiet and refined on long journeys
- Distinctive design that owners still like years on
Watch out for
- Failures of the ICCU (the unit that charges the 12V battery) are the biggest theme, covered by a UK recall, sometimes with long waits for parts
- 12V battery problems, often linked to the ICCU, can leave the car unable to start
- Mixed experiences of Kia dealers, with slow parts and patchy communication
Owner tips
- Check the ICCU recall has been done and ask whether the unit was replaced
- Ask whether the 12V battery has been tested or replaced
Buying options
Get a quote
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia EV6
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Ford Explorer
No active listings.
Kia EV6
- £23,2642023Car360View
- £28,4002023EV ExpertsView
- £28,9002023EV ExpertsView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia EV6 worth the extra £5,710 over the Ford Explorer?
The Kia EV6 costs £5,710 more than the Ford Explorer. For that premium it adds 55 miles more WLTP range and 134 kW faster peak rapid charging. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV6 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV6?
The Ford Explorer is £5,710 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Ford Explorer comes out roughly £5,630 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Ford Explorer and Kia EV6 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 183 miles for the Ford Explorer and 273 miles for the Kia EV6 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV6 goes roughly 90 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 18-25 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV6?
The two are within 8 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer and about 520 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV6. The Ford Explorer also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV6?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Ford Explorer and 89% for the Kia EV6. That gives the Kia EV6 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. The Ford Explorer has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia EV6.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Ford Explorer comparisons
More Kia EV6 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Ford Explorer and Kia EV6 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV6 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV6 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV6 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV6 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV6 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Ford Explorer EV (2024 on): Standard or Extended Range, RWD or AWD, Recalls & What to Pay
A used electric Ford Explorer buyer’s guide: Standard and Extended Range, RWD and AWD explained, the 2026 battery change, recalls, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Guide
Buying a Used Kia EV6 (2021-2024): Which Version, the ICCU Recall, Range & What to Check
A used Kia EV6 buyer’s guide: Air vs GT-Line vs GT-Line S vs GT, RWD or AWD, the ICCU recall and 12V battery, heat pump or not, Kia’s 7-year warranty, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .