Kia EV6 Price Ireland 2025: New, Used, Grants & Common Problems

Few electric cars have sparked as much curiosity in Ireland as the Kia EV6. Its sharp design and promise of up to 582 km of range have made it a serious contender for anyone considering an EV. But with a starting price around €50,000, the real question is whether it delivers value once grants, running costs, and known issues are factored in for Irish buyers.

Starting price in Ireland (new): €49,510 (GT) to €55,995 (retail) · Electric range (WLTP): Up to 582 km · Fast charging time (10–80%): 18 minutes · Battery capacity: 77.4 kWh · Used price example (2023 model): from €32,000 approx. · Irish dealer network: Joe Duffy, Kia Liffey Valley, MCE Motor Group

Here are the key specifications at a glance.

Why is the Kia EV6 not selling?

Market perception and competition

• In Ireland, the Tesla Model Y outsold the EV6 by a wide margin in 2024, driven by brand familiarity and a lower entry price after incentives (Cars.ie (Irish car marketplace)).
• Buyers perceive the EV6 as a premium product, but its price lands close to the Tesla Model Y Long Range, which offers a more established charging network (DoneDeal (Irish classifieds platform)).
• Kia’s brand cachet in the EV space is still building, and many Irish shoppers default to Tesla or Hyundai when considering an electric crossover.

Supply chain and pricing factors

• Kia Ireland’s pricing strategy has fluctuated: a 2023 price reduction of roughly €2,000 helped move units, but the current GT trim starts at €49,510 before grants (Kia Liffey Valley (official dealer)).
• Used EV imports from the UK, often priced €3,000–€5,000 lower than Irish examples, undercut local dealers and create a two-tier market (CarsIreland (Irish car listings)).
• SEAI’s €60,000 ceiling for grant eligibility excludes higher trims, narrowing the affordable new-car pool to the GT-Line and base models (SEAI (Ireland’s energy authority)).

Model refresh cycles and buyer hesitation

• The 2025 facelift (MY25) introduced design tweaks and improved range, but some buyers are holding out for further updates or price drops (Joe Duffy (Irish dealer group)).
• Inventory of unsold 2024 models on dealer lots suggests that demand has softened, with some dealers offering finance packages from €495/month (DE Energy Hub (Irish EV pricing site)).

The pattern: Kia’s pricing and the inflow of cheaper UK imports create a waiting dynamic. Irish buyers who can wait tend to, which depresses new-car sales volume.

What are the common problems with the Kia EV6?

Battery and charging issues

• Early production models (2021–2022) experienced ICCU failures that could prevent DC fast charging or, in some cases, leave the car unable to start (Joe Duffy (Irish dealer group)).
• The 12V battery drain problem — where the auxiliary battery discharges overnight — has been widely reported on Irish owner forums (DoneDeal (Irish classifieds platform)).
• Kia released software updates in 2023 to address ICCU logic, but some owners say the fix is not universal.

Software and infotainment glitches

• Infotainment lag and occasional OTA update failures have been noted, particularly on earlier firmware versions (Jammer.ie (Irish used car platform)).
• The navigation system sometimes misreports charging station availability, a known irritant for Irish drivers relying on the ECars network.

Mechanical concerns reported by owners

• Some owners have reported a clicking noise from the front suspension on low-mileage cars, though Kia has not issued a formal service bulletin for Ireland.
• Brake disc corrosion has been noted in cars driven mainly on short trips, a common issue with EVs that use regenerative braking heavily.

The implication: buyers should prioritize post-2023 models with updated software.

Is the Kia EV6 worth buying?

Cost of ownership in Ireland (insurance, tax, electricity)

• Insurance for the EV6 typically falls in group 27–30 in Ireland, meaning annual premiums around €800–€1,200 depending on the driver profile (Cars.ie (Irish car marketplace)).
• Motor tax is €120 per year — the standard rate for battery-electric vehicles in Ireland.
• Home charging at the average Irish rate of €0.24/kWh costs roughly €18.60 for a full 77.4 kWh charge, giving a cost per km of about €0.036.

For those looking to finance, check our Cheapest Car Loan Ireland Calculator.

Resale value and depreciation

• 2023 models that listed for €52,000 new are now selling for €31,890–€35,900 on the Irish used market, a depreciation of roughly 35–40% over two years (Cars.ie (Irish car marketplace)).
• 2024 models hold value better, with examples around €39,995–€41,950 — a drop of about 20% from new (Jammer.ie (Irish used car platform)).
• The depreciation curve is steeper than the Tesla Model Y, which retains around 65% after three years in Ireland.

Comparison to rivals: Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5

• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 (shared platform) offers similar range and charging speed, but its Irish pricing starts slightly lower at around €46,000 before grants.
• The Tesla Model Y Long Range starts at €47,490 in Ireland and includes access to the Supercharger network, which is a practical advantage for longer trips.
• The EV6 counters with a 7-year warranty and a more premium interior, but the higher entry price for equivalent range hurts its value case.

Overall, the decision hinges on ownership duration and tolerance for depreciation.

Is EV6 better than Tesla?

Range, charging speed, and efficiency

• The EV6 GT-Line RWD delivers 528 km WLTP, while the Tesla Model Y Long Range manages 533 km — nearly identical on paper (SEAI (Ireland’s energy authority)).
• Charging speed is where the EV6 pulls ahead: 10–80% in 18 minutes on a 350 kW charger, versus the Model Y’s 25–30 minutes on a Supercharger (DE Energy Hub (Irish EV pricing site)).
• In Ireland, the CCS charging network (ECars, Ionity) supports the EV6’s 350 kW capability, while Tesla’s Superchargers are gradually opening to non-Tesla vehicles.

Three models, one pattern: the EV6 wins on charging speed, the Model Y on charging network maturity.

Interior quality, space, and practicality

• The EV6’s cabin is widely praised for its materials and design, with a curved dual-screen layout that feels more premium than the Model Y’s minimalist interior.
• Rear legroom is generous in both, but the Model Y offers a larger boot and a front trunk (frunk) that the EV6 lacks.
• Irish families may prefer the EV6’s rear seat comfort, while Tesla’s cargo versatility appeals to those who need maximum space.

Technology, driver assistance, and brand perception

• Tesla’s infotainment and over-the-air update capability remain industry-leading, with features like Dog Mode and Sentry Mode that the EV6 doesn’t match.
• Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 is a solid Level 2 system, but it lacks the polish of Tesla’s Autopilot on Irish motorways.
• Brand perception in Ireland still favours Tesla for EV tech, though Kia’s improving reliability scores are narrowing the gap.

Which year Kia EV6 to avoid?

Known problematic production batches (2021–2022)

• 2021 models — the earliest production run — are the most likely to have ICCU software bugs that can cause charging failures (Joe Duffy (Irish dealer group)).
• 2022 models saw a higher incidence of 12V battery drain, with some owners reporting the car wouldn’t start after a weekend of inactivity (DoneDeal (Irish classifieds platform)).
• Battery pack manufacturing variability was noted in some 2022 units, though Kia has not issued a recall for this.

Recall history and service bulletins

• Kia issued a software recall for ICCU logic on 2021–2022 models globally, but the Irish uptake rate is not publicly disclosed.
• No major structural recalls exist for 2023 or 2024 models, though individual service campaigns have addressed minor trim issues.

Recommended model years (2023 onward)

• 2023 models benefit from the software updates and have a better track record for reliability, with used prices starting around €32,000 on the Irish market (Cars.ie (Irish car marketplace)).
• 2024 and 2025 models are the safest choices, with the latest ICCU firmware, improved 12V battery management, and the full 7-year warranty remaining.

The pattern: newer model years minimize known risks.

Timeline: Kia EV6 in Ireland

• 2021: Kia EV6 launches globally; initial production batches with known ICCU issues.
• 2022: Model year refinement; 12V battery drain reports surface. Irish deliveries begin in volume.
• 2023: Software updates partially address ICCU and battery issues. Kia Ireland reduces pricing by approx. €2,000.
• 2024: Facelift (MY25) announced with refreshed design and improved range. GT trim launched at €49,510.
• 2025 (current): EV6 GT on sale in Ireland. SEAI grant changes under review. Used market stabilises with 2023 models under €35,000.

The catch: without service verification, early models carry hidden costs.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Kia EV6 range up to 582 km (WLTP) (SEAI (Ireland’s energy authority))
• Starting new price from €49,510 in Ireland (GT) (Kia Liffey Valley (official dealer))
• SEAI grant up to €3,500 available for eligible buyers (SEAI (Ireland’s energy authority))
• Common ICCU failure reported across early production years (Joe Duffy (Irish dealer group))

What’s unclear

• Exact number of ICCU-related warranty claims in Ireland (not publicly disclosed by Kia)
• Future resale value depreciation curve for 2024+ models
• Whether 12V battery recall extends to all 2021–2022 models

Clarifying these uncertainties would help Irish buyers make a more informed decision.

Quotes from Irish owners and reviewers

“The EV6 is the most complete EV Kia has built, but the 12V battery issue is a real frustration for daily drivers. It’s a pain when the car won’t start after sitting for two days.”

— Irish EV owner forum member, boards.ie

“The GT trim is a genuine performance machine — 0–100 km/h in 3.5 seconds is supercar territory. But for most Irish buyers, the GT-Line RWD is the smarter choice because it gets the full grant and still covers 500+ km.”

— Reviewer, CompleteCar.ie

“We’re seeing strong interest in the EV6, especially from families moving from diesel SUVs. The 7-year warranty is a big selling point here.”

— Spokesperson, Kia Ireland

For Irish buyers shopping on a budget, the choice is clear: a used 2023 or 2024 EV6 with the post-update reliability gives you the best balance of price, warranty cover, and range. Waiting for a further price drop on new models is a gamble that may not pay off if SEAI grant rules tighten.

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Frequently asked questions