Ford Everest VS Kia EV6
Ford Everest
Likes
- Very economical on longer trips
- Easy to drive and handle, despite size
- Great family storage (and stowage) throughout
Dislikes
- Thirsty in the city
- Bit schlumpy off the mark
- Towards the more expensive end compared to rivals
Kia EV6
Likes
Dislikes
Summary
Ford Everest
The updated Ford Everest looks and sounds like a beast. My family nicknamed it Hank, after the blue beast from X-Men, and that about sums up how much fun we have in this seven-seater!
This is the Sport 4WD variant which sits second from the top in the Everest line-up and competes with other large and popular SUVs like the Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Prado.
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So, how does the Everest Sport fair over a week with my family of three?
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 3.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 8.5L/100km |
| Seating | 7 seats |
Kia EV6
Sometimes I think the present is nowhere near as futuristic as I thought it would be when pondering things 20 years ago.
And then there are times when the two cars you’re comparing are an electric Mustang SUV and a 580 horsepower Kia that accelerates faster than a Ferrari Enzo.Â
Yep, this comparison of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Kia EV6 GT is one of those times when we’re reminded how much things have changed and how quickly we need to accept the changes electric cars introduce as the new normal.
Read more about
Supercar-like acceleration, the dilemma of charging and the premium price they command are key EV attributes. But they are still cars. Still the way we get around.
If they’re SUVs like the Mach-E GT and EV6 GT we need to compare more than just their EV credentials. Practicality, driveability, value-for-money, safety and ownership costs are also hugely important.
And this is what we’ve done here, comparing them not just as electric cars but in all the ways you’ll use them, too.Â
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | — |
| Fuel Type | Electric |
| Fuel Efficiency | —L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Ford Everest8.1/10
I enjoyed my time with the Ford Everest Sport 4WD. It’s a great-looking vehicle with the engine specs to support families who like to adventure. It’s also big enough to haul a large family and those added child seat top-tethers in the third row offer flexibility, too.
The ride is a bit rough at times and it's thirsty in the city but it has enough to charm my family of three.
My seven-year old and my husband loved our blue truck and my son doesn’t want to see it go!
Kia EV6/10
The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT wins this comparison with the Kia EV6 GT by a small margin, mainly due to its better practicality, its styling and its lower ownership costs. The Kia EV6 GT is also brilliant in its sporty handling, value-for-money and great battery tech. But if there was one that’s the best all-rounder to live with daily, it’s the Mustang Mach-E GT.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Price and Features | 7 | 8 |
Design | 9 | 8 |
Practicality | 8 | 7 |
Under the bonnet | 9 | 9 |
Efficiency | 8 | 8 |
Driving | 8 | 8 |
Safety | 9 | 9 |
Ownership | 8 | 7 |
TOTAL | 8.3 | 8 |
Design
Ford Everest
The Everest Sport means business. It’s big and brutish-looking with its squared-off shape and a bunch of black accents across the handles, badging, 20-inch wheels and massive grille.
These accents up the beasty factor and I love the look of this SUV. Especially in our test model's 'Blue Lightning' paintwork, which is exclusive to the Sport variant.Â
The cabin continues the exterior's robust look, especially in the dashboard and vertical 12-inch touchscreen multimedia set-up.
The massive honeycomb-like air vents look cool but there’s still something of a workhorse vibe inside thanks to the styling and feel of the black leather-accented upholstery and trims.Â
Everything gives off a strong ‘vinyl’ feel and the soft touchpoints look hard thanks to their plastic-looking grain. But it’s a pleasant cabin to be in and the overall finish still looks high-quality.
Kia EV6
Two more different looking SUVs you could not find. Actually, the EV6 GT barely even looks like an SUV although that’s what Kia calls it and the industry classifies it as such.
Have a look at the images, or better still watch the video we made above, to take in the stark comparison between the styling of these vehicles.
The Mustang Mach-E GT looks reassuringly like a Mustang SUV with its vertical bar tail-lights, the muscular rear haunches, blade headlights, shark nose bonnet and big grille.
Well, it’s not a real grille but if you look closely you’ll see the faint outline of honeycomb mesh behind the semi-transparent plastic.
The Kia EV6 GT looks more like a bloated hatchback than an SUV, but you could argue that’s all an SUV is, anyway, I guess.
Still, it’s a stunning design with its pinched in nose, bulbous and smooth panels, looking low, wide and intimidating like a venomous insect complete with lime green brake calipers.
Despite the obvious exterior differences their dimensions aren’t wildly different as you can see in the table below, only the height sets them apart.
If all you had to go with were these figures I’m sure you’d never imagine they’d belong to two very different looking SUVs. The extra height gives the Mustang GT Mach-E a more upright and boxy design, and this affects practicality as you’ll read about further on. For now let's look at their insides on purely stylistic merits.
Of course they have completely different interiors. The Mustang Mach-E GT has a more macho, serious but sporty cabin with high quality feeling fabrics adorning the dashboard and synthetic leather seats. Only the gigantic portrait media display makes this feel like a modern Ford product.
The EV6 GT’s cabin feels dark, like a cave but one filled with expansive screens and tech. There are intriguing patterns etched into the dashboard and deep seats that wrap around their occupants.
Its innards are as alien as its exterior and I’m here for it. And so are many people. Probably not those who like the Mustang Mach-E GT’s cabin, though.
I think the Mustang Mach-E GT pulls off a better look, especially considering the pressure it’s designers would have been under to create an SUV version of one of the most iconic cars on Earth. Â
Dimensions | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Length | 4743mm | 4695mm |
Height | 1623mm | 1545mm |
Width | 1881mm | 1890mm |
Wheelbase | 2984mm | 2900mm |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 8 |
Practicality
Ford Everest
The biggest issue I have with the cabin’s practicality is getting in and out, which comes down to the 226mm ground clearance. But that is 100 per cent a user issue!
The side-steps and grab handles are a must have and my seven-year old needed them, too. No doubt, you'll be helping younger kids into their seats.
Besides the tall trucky-ness, the cabin in the first two rows feels roomy with ample leg- and headroom for my 168cm height. It's only when you venture into the third row that legroom is compromised for an adult, although access to this row is still very good.
All seats are rather firm and there's not stacks of under-thigh support in any row but the front seats are powered with additional lumbar support as well as heat and ventilation functions which adds dramatically to comfort on a long trip.
Amenities and storage are pretty good in all three rows. The front has two glove boxes, a shallow-ish middle console, phone holder, big storage bins and drink bottle holders in each door, two permanent cupholders and, my personal faves, a pair of retractable cupholders in the dashboard and a sunglasses holder.
In the middle row there are map pockets, drink bottle holders in each door and two retractable cupholders in the fold-down armrest. There aren't any luxury features but the roof-mounted directional air vents and fan control is appreciated by my kid.
The third row gets two shallow and skinny cupholders and the left-hand side also features a long but thin nook, which may be for a tech device. There are also roof-mounted directional air vents and reading lights.
Technology is found in each row and looks good while still being useful. The vertical 12-inch touchscreen multimedia system is easy enough to use but it takes a while to get used to its positioning.
It sits lower than I'd like and isn't angled towards the driver which makes accessing controls that have been embedded in the screen, like seat functions and air-flow direction, a bit of a pain while on the go.
The wireless Apple CarPlay is easy to connect to but dropped out twice during our test. There is also Android Auto for those users and built-in satellite navigation.
The charging options are very good throughout the car with the first rows getting a USB-A and USB-C port. The front also gets a wireless charging pad and a 12-volt socket. While the third row and boot feature a 12-volt socket each.
The boot space is mostly user-friendly but because the boot lip sits quite high it can be annoying to load heavier items in or fit a top-tether strap.
Capacity is good and with the third row in use. You get 259L of storage, which is adequate for a smaller grocery run but that capacity jumps up to 898L when the third row is stored.
There is a small space underneath the floor that could house your manual and log book, if you wanted to free up your glove box. This model has a powered tailgate function.
Kia EV6
Electric vehicles have changed practicality for the better. Not being constrained by big engines, transmissions and driveshafts means the packaging can be designed for good storage and people room.
Flat floors open up space, front boots are handy and even the ability to use their colossal battery to power campsites or other appliances is a big plus.
Below is a table comparing boot sizes and power outlets. On the face of it the EV6 GT appears to have the bigger rear boot but the stacking height is lower than the Mustang Mach-E GT’s taller space.
The EV6 GT also has next to no front boot, while the Mustang Mach-E GT has a large storage space under the bonnet.
As for rear legroom, the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT have plenty of space for me at 189cm to sit behind my driving position and headroom is excellent in both.
Entering and exiting the Mustang Mach-E GT is easier due it’s more traditional SUV shape with tall doors and elevated ride height. The EV6 GT is almost 10cm lower overall and I hit my head swinging into the back seat while doing my legroom test.
Both cars have directional air vents in the second row, cupholders, door pockets and USB ports.
Talking of power outlets, only the EV6 GT has a vehicle-to-load (V2L) power outlet which will take a regular household appliance plug.
It’s a tough call as to which is more practical, and while the Kia has the versatile V2L and plenty of space, the Mustang's front boot and ease of entry and exit makes it the winner here.  Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Seats | 5 | 5 |
Boot capacity (five seats up) | 402L | 480L |
Frunk capacity | 134L | 20L |
Wireless phone charging | Yes | Yes |
USB Ports | 4 | 5 |
V2L socket | 0 | 1 |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 7 |
Price and features
Ford Everest
There are four grades for the Everest range and our model on test this week is the Sport 4WD, which sits second from the top in the line-up. Which means it’s priced from $72,490, before on-road costs, and sits second from the top compared to its rivals.
The most affordable rival is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed 4WD for $60,690 MSRP, then the Isuzu MU-X LS-U $61,400 MSRP and the Toyota LandCruiser Prado VX sits at $76,848 MSRP; all of these models have similar specs and that highly coveted third row for families.
The Sport 4WD model comes with some lovely features, like leather-accented upholstery, powered front seats with heat and ventilation functions, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and built-in satellite navigation.
Technology is rounded out with a 12-inch multimedia touchscreen, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a wireless charging pad.
Other standard features include keyless entry, push-button start, side puddle lamps, full-suite LED lights, front fog lights and DRLs, dual-zone climate control and a full-size spare wheel.
Kia EV6
Electric cars are more expensive than their petrol counterparts and generally will be until the cost of EV batteries comes down. This is what drives the manufacturing price up with the extra cost passed onto the consumer. But the good news is the price is coming down.Â
That news doesn’t really help you much here because the Kia EV6 GT has come down in price and lists for $99,590, before on-road costs. Still, that’s less than the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT which lists for $104,990.
The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT sit at the top of their respective ranges and have large batteries. That’s the reason for the $100K MSRP. They both come with a lot of equipment and you can see a side-by-side comparison of their standard features in the table below.
What stands out is the lack of powered front seats in the EV6 GT, and also the absence of leather upholstery in both cars.
Both still come with heated seats, excellent sound systems and sunroofs - although the Mustang Mach-E’s is a large panoramic glass version, while the Kia’s is smaller and opens.
The EV6 GT’s head-up display is brilliant, while the Mustang Mach-E doesn’t have one.
The Mustang comes with 20-inch alloys which offer a better ride than the EV6 GT’s 21-inch alloys - but more on that in the driving section further down.   Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
MSRP | $104,990 | $99,590 |
Media Display | 15.2-inch | 12.3-inch |
Instrument cluster | 10.2-inch | 12.3-inch |
Head-up display | No | Yes |
Climate control | Dual-zone | dual-zone |
Auto parking | Yes - in-car | Yes - remote |
Keyless entry/push start | Yes | Yes |
Sound system | B&O 10 speakers | Meridian - 14 speakers |
Sat nav | Yes | Yes |
Sunroof | Panoramic | Slide opening |
Privacy glass | Rear side | Rear side |
Upholstery | Artificial leather | Artificial leather |
Seats | Front: Powered/heated | Front: heated; Rear: heated |
Wheel size | 20-inch alloys | 21-inch |
LED Headlights | Yes | Yes |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
7 | 8 |
Under the bonnet
Ford Everest
The Ford Everest Sport on test is the four-wheel drive variant and has a 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel engine that produces a power output of 184kW and 600Nm of torque.
That hefty power supports the 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity this model has, meaning you can have your weekend adventures and haul the family around, too.
Kia EV6
Electric motors make massive amounts of power and torque but the outputs of the Mustang Mach E GT and EV6 GT are beyond 'normal' EVs.
The EV6 GT has a motor driving the rear wheels and another driving the front ones. Together they have a combined output of 430kW and 740Nm with 0-100km/h coming in a brutal 3.5 seconds. That is seriously quick and unnecessary and I love it.
The Mustang Mach E GT also has all-wheel drive thanks to a motor at the front and at the rear but together they make a whopping 358kW and 860Nm, although at 100kg heavier it’s a tad slower to 100km/h with a time of 3.7 seconds. Still these times are quicker than almost any production car from the early 1990s.
Who wins here? I’m calling it evenly matched.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Combined motor output | 358kW/860Nm | 430kW/740Nm |
Drive wheels | AWD | AWD |
0-100km/h | 3.7 seconds | 3.5 seconds |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 9 |
Efficiency
Ford Everest
It's big but is it thirsty? The answer is, sometimes.
The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 8.5L/100km. But after a fair bit of travel, consisting of mostly open-road driving, my real-world average came in at 7.6L/100km, which is amazing for such a massive car.
In fact, I had to triple check my figures to make sure I had calculated it correctly!
During urban trips the on-board read-out sits closer to 15L/100km, which is something to consider if you're an urban dweller.
Based on the official combined cycle number and large 80-litre fuel tank, you should see a theoretical driving range of 941km, which is good for road tripping families.
Kia EV6
There’s so much to tell you here and the table below will help with understanding the capacities, ranges and consumption of the EV6 GT and Mustang Mach-E GT.
The Mustang Mach-E GT has the larger battery and the longer range, but the EV6 GT’s battery has a much faster DC charging rate.
The Kia can make full use of a 350kW fast charger while the Mach-E can’t accept more than 150kW. You can see the charging times in the table.
Energy efficiency is crucial to an EV’s range and in our test we filled the batteries of the Mustang Mach-E GT and EV6 GT to 100 per cent and drove a 180km route made up of CBD traffic, motorways, suburban streets and country roads. Â
At the end of the trip we found both used almost exactly the same amount of electricity at nearly the same rate. The difference being the Mustang had more projected range left because its battery is larger. Â
Who wins? Well, this is really about energy efficiency and we found that both were a good match for electricity consumption. So, let’s call it a tie. You could argue the Mustang Mach-E GT has more range, but the rebuttal would be the EV6 GT’s super-fast charging time.Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Battery capacity | 91kWh | 77.4kWh |
Estimated range | 490km | 424km |
Max DC charging speed | 150kW | 350kW |
DC 10-80 percent charge time | 45 minutes | 18 minutes |
Max AC charging speed | 10.5kW | 10.5kW |
Official combined consumption | 21.2kWh/100km | 20.6kWh/100km |
Distance (energy test)) | 176.5km | 178.0km |
Electricity used | 32.6kWh | 32.18 |
As tested combined consumption | 18.5kWh/100km | 18.1kWh/100km |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 8 |
Driving
Ford Everest
The Everest Sport delivers its power responsively once you’re up to speed. Overtaking or keeping your pace consistent on hills is no issue but this car reminds you of its size when you start moving from a standstill. It’s not quick.
There’s a serious lull between accelerating and actually shooting forward. So, allow more time for roundabouts or crossing traffic.
The steering sits right in the middle – not too firm or loose. Which means it doesn't handle like a truck and has a nice on-road feel.
Coupled with a relatively small 11.8m turning circle it’s quite nimble to manoeuvre and you won’t be daunted by city driving. Â
The ride comfort is a little bit rough but not totally unexpected given its relatively high centre of gravity. You get some consistent vibrations through the seats and the suspension feels bouncy when hitting corners. I still feel confident going over bumps but you will feel them.
Cabin noise is low key most of the time but you can get a fair bit of wind noise at higher speeds. Otherwise, it’s easy to hear and chat between all three rows, which is excellent for a large SUV.
Because of the higher seating position and wide windows, visibility is awesome – another big plus for a big, three-row SUV.
Despite almost being five metres in length (with the tow bar), you don’t notice the size when it comes time to park because the turning circle is good and the 360-degree camera system is also nice and clear. You fill out a space but getting into the space isn’t an issue.
Kia EV6
The way these SUVs feel to drive is as different as their looks. The Mustang Mach-E GT feels more suited to daily driving while the EV6 GT is our pick for the race circuit or sporty blasts on nice country roads with plenty of twists and turns.
Both have drive modes ranging from the hardcore 'Untame' in the Mach-E and 'Sport+' in the EV6 GT to the calmer 'Whisper' and 'Normal' modes in Ford and Kia, respectively.Â
Adjustable suspension in both firms up the ride for better handling and softens it for a more comfortable setting.
The Mustang Mach-E has the more comfortable ride overall compared to the EV6 GT which is very firm in its Sport+ drive mode but still overly hard in the Normal setting thanks to the big wheels and low-profile tyres. That said, the Mach-E GT is prone to jiggling too much over minor bumps.
The EV6 GT and Mustang Mach E GT can accelerate incredibly fast and while it's fun, the ability to move quickly is useful in overtaking and at intersections without traffic lights.Â
Neither the EV6 GT not Mach-E GT offer exceptional ride comfort but the Mustang delivers a better all around driving experience with good visibility, a more elevated driving height and supportive seats.
Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 8 |
Safety
Ford Everest
The Ford Everest comes with a bunch of standard safety systems like blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, lane departure alert, driver monitoring alert, adaptive cruise control, intelligent seatbelt reminders, rear cross-traffic alert plus a 360-degree view camera system with front and rear parking sensors.
The Everest has a total of nine airbags, which is great for the class, including a front centre airbag and curtain airbags that cover all three rows.
It has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022. It scored highly across all four of ANCAP's individual criteria with the child protection score at 93 per cent.
The Everest has AEB with forward collision warning which is operational for pedestrian and cyclist detection from 5.0-80km/h and 4.0-180km/h for car detection.
There are ISOFIX child-seat mounts on the middle row outboard positions and a total of five top-tether anchor points. You can easily fit five child seats, which is great for families with lots of tots.
However, when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed in the middle row, front passenger space has to be adjusted but I still have enough space for my height. Â
Kia EV6
The Mustang Mach-E GT and the EV6 GT have been awarded the maximum five star ANCAP rating but the Kia was tested more recently under 2022 criteria.
Both cars have ISOFIX points for child seats in the outside rear seats, while there are three top tether anchor mounts in the second row, too. The table below compares their advanced safety tech.Â
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
ANCAP rating | 5 (2021) | 5 (2022) |
AEB | Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist | Pedestrian, vehicle, cyclist |
Lane Keeping Assist | Yes | Yes |
Blind Spot Warning | Yes | Yes |
Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Yes with braking | Yes with braking |
Airbags | 7 (no centre airbag) | 6 (no centre airbag) |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
9 | 9 |
Ownership
Ford Everest
The Everest comes with a usual warranty term of five-years/unlimited km and you can pre-purchase servicing for the first four-years or up to 60,000km for $1385 or an average of $347 per service, which is good for the class.
Servicing intervals are at every 12 months or 15,000km, which is also reasonable.
Participating dealers will also provide a complimentary loan car when your vehicle is being serviced.
Roadside assistance is included for the first 12 months, extending up to seven years if you have your car regularly serviced at an authorised Ford dealer.
Kia EV6
The final piece of this comparison puzzle is the ownership costs. The table below highlights the difference in what you’ll pay to service with the Mustang Mach-E GT proving to be the more affordable.Â
The Kia comes with a longer warranty, although Ford’s battery coverage duration is better.
The Mustang Mach-E GT wins here for its more affordable capped price servicing.
| Â | Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
Warranty | Five-year/unlimited km | Seven-year/unlimited km |
Servicing cost total over five years | $780 | $1561 |
Service interval | 12 months/15,000km | 12 months/15,000km |
High-voltage battery warranty | Eight-years/160,000km | Seven-years/150,000km |
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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT | Kia EV6 GT |
8 | 7 |