In this comparison, Kia EV6 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed, while the Tesla Model S stays competitive across the board.
Choose the Kia EV6 (2021-2024) if...
Our take
The Kia EV6 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Too close to call
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Long Range
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40,895 (better) | £82,350 |
| Official range | 328 miles | 405 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 490 L | 745 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 18 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 4 sec |
Size Comparison
Length
Width
Height
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,680 mm | 4,979 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,880 mm (better) | 1,964 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,141 mm (better) | 2,189 mm |
| Height | 1,550 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.6 m (better) | 11.8 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 520 mm spare (better) | 436 mm spare |
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L | 745 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1300 L | 1645 L (better) |
| Frunk | 52 L | 150 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,600 kg (better) | 0 kg |
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Kia EV6
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Tesla Model S
| Specification | Kia EV6 Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model S Long Range |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.68m | 4.98m+299mm |
| Width | 1.88m | 1.96m+84mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.14m | 2.19m+48mm |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.45m-105mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.90m | 2.96m+60mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 137mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L | 745L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1300L | 1645L (better) |
| Frunk | 52L | 150L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.6m (better) | 11.8m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 2,162kg |
| Towing Capacity | 1,600kg (better) | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 77.4kWh | 100kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 328 mi | 405 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 239kW | 250kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £40,895 (better) | £82,350 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Saloon |
| Available | 2021–2024 | 2019–2020 |
* 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.
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 328 miles | 405 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 273 miles | 280 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 18 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 239 kW | 250 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 176 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 77.4 kWh | 95 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | NCA |
| Battery architecture | 800V (better) | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Standard (better) |
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 4 sec |
| Power | 168 kW | 345 kW (better) |
| Torque | 350 Nm | 600 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | AWD |
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.
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £16,040 | £21,600 |
| Average used price | £19,440 | £25,000 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 16 listings (better) | 6 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 18.8% over ~6 months | Broadly flat |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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.
Tested 2022
Tested 2022
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Kia EV6Air 77.4kWh | Tesla Model SLong Range |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 7 years | 8 years (better) |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 240,000 km (better) |
Get a quote
Kia EV6
Tesla Model S
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia EV6
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S costs £41,455 more than the Kia EV6. For that premium it adds 77 miles more WLTP range, 255 litres more boot space and 177 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV6 comes out ahead overall.
The Kia EV6 is £41,455 cheaper to buy. The Kia EV6 is cheaper to charge, roughly £160 a year versus £192 for the Tesla Model S, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Kia EV6 comes out roughly £41,615 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 273 miles for the Kia EV6 and 280 miles for the Tesla Model S - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 18 minutes in the Kia EV6 and 30 in the Tesla Model S, so the Kia EV6 loses less time at each stop.
The Kia EV6 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 84 mm narrower than the Tesla Model S. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 520 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV6 and about 436 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model S.
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Kia EV6 and 84% for the Tesla Model S. 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 Tesla Model S has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia EV6.
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Kia EV6 comparisons
More Tesla Model S comparisons
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
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.
GuideA used Tesla Model S buyer’s guide: 85 to 100D, Long Range and Performance explained, which cars have lost the battery warranty, the media unit recall, free Supercharging, owner-reported repairs, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .