KIA EV6

There are facelifts - you know, subtle design changes, maybe some new tech- and then there are 'facelifts' that are actually comprehensive revisions.

- FELIX PAGE

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This is very much one of the former sort. The Kia EV6's face has indeed been lifted (full-width light bar, redesigned headlights, tweaked splitter), but that's your best bet for immediately distinguishing the latest version of this big-selling family EV from the original, aside from the new wheel designs, colour options and even less obviously fettled rear end.

The technical highlight of this update is an increase in usable battery capacity from 77.4kWh to 84kWh, giving the most efficient EV6 a commendable official range of 361 miles and making it comfortably one of the longest-ranged electric crossovers on sale.

Charging speed is up a touch, too, from a 239kW maximum to 258kW, theoretically allowing a 10-80% top-up in just 18 minutes.

A welcome upgrade indeed, but more immediately obvious to the casual observer are the tweaks to the cabin, made in pursuit of enhanced utility and quality.

Criticism of the EV6's interior has hardly been uproarious, but we can celebrate the banishment of the centre console's cheap-looking gloss black plastic in favour of a smart new matt finish and the introduction (at last) of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: this space-age, minimalist cockpit need no longer be blighted by a trailing phone cable. The steering wheel is now electronically adjustable, too, and there's a fingerprint scanner that can be used to set your preferred seating position and climate settings.