One of the best EVs in the business
The Kia EV6 broke onto the electrified crossover scene for the 2022 model year, and even then, it was one of the top models when it came to range and charging speeds. Since then, Kia's electric crossover has only gotten better, with varying powertrains that can offer extensive ranges or thrilling performance. While competitors, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, offer more contention these days, few EVs can match the Kia EV6 when it comes to long-range road trips.
The 2025 Kia EV6's charging speed makes it a top pick
At its peak, the 2025 Kia EV6 boasts a maximum range of 319 miles, which isn't exactly out of the norm these days. In its most range-competitive variation, for example, the Ford Mustang Mach-E offers a 320-mile range. By range alone, both electric crossovers are excellent picks for family road trips, at least until you take charging speed into consideration. Note that both models have access to Tesla's Supercharger network, eliminating accessibility as a deciding factor for some drivers.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E features a maximum charging speed of 150 kW, which isn't bad at all. With those speeds, you could charge a Mustang Mach-E with a standard 73 kWh battery from 10% to 80% in around 32 minutes at a DC fast charger. Upgrading to the larger battery pushes that charging speed out to around 36 minutes.
The Kia EV6 offers one of the highest charging speeds in the industry, with an 800-volt electrical architecture that can take advantage of a DC fast charger better than nearly every other EV. When connected to a DC fast charger, the Kia EV6 can charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 20 minutes, regardless of whether it comes equipped with the standard or larger battery. As though 20 minutes isn't crazy enough, the top-spec GT trim can see that time reduced to as little as 18 minutes.
While DC fast charging speeds are great for road trips, most drivers will charge their electric crossovers at home or at Level 2 chargers. Thanks to its faster charging speeds, the Kia EV6 with an extended-range battery excels there as well, reaching a full charge in around seven hours. Comparatively, a Ford Mustang Mach-E connected to a level 2 charger can achieve a full charge in around nine hours.
Kia and Ford's EVs are great rivals
Rivalry promotes innovation, of which Kia and Ford are living proof. Both the EV6 and Mustang Mach-E offer a variety of powertrain and battery setups that allow consumers to create a car that fits their needs. As similar as they are, however, there are some differences when it comes to performance.
As the name implies, the Mustang Mach-E offers high performance from the base level, with 264 horsepower and 387 lb-ft of torque serving as the floor. That's a good deal more than the base EV6's 167 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The gap narrows once the dual-motor all-wheel drivetrain comes into play, with the Mustang Mach-E offering 325 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque with a standard range battery. The Kia EV6 sees its performance boosted to 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque with AWD.
The gap between the EVs nearly closes at the top of the range, with the Mustang Mach-E Rally's performance topping out at 480 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. That kind of power launches the electric crossover to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. The Kia EV6 GT is close behind in terms of torque, topping out at 641 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque with launch mode, matching its American competitor's 3.4-second 60 mph time. Without launch mode, the EV6 GT taps 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.
Final thoughts
There's no denying the Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E are rival EVs that offer an excellent combination of range, performance, and standard equipment. With 319- and 320-mile maximum ranges respectively, they're evenly matched in the road trip category. Once you factor in charging speeds, however, the Kia EV6 has a significant advantage. The capability to charge to 80% in 20 minutes or less at a fast charger simply can't be understated. If Ford manages to narrow that gap, the competition between these two EVs would only get more intense.
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This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM