New Kia EV6 vs used Jaguar I-Pace: interiors

Interiors

Driving position, visibility, build quality

Both cars have fundamentally sound driving positions, including pedals that line up neatly with their steering wheels and seats. And thanks to electric adjustment, including for lumbar support, moving those seats (leather in our SE trim Jaguar I-Pace) into the right position for you is a doddle. The Kia EV6 has a nifty extra trick, though: when you’re parked up, you can press a button to transform its front seats into business class-style beds – fantastic if you fancy a snooze while waiting for your car to charge.

Visibility is decent in both cars, too, although their sleek shapes do throw up a few issues. For example, in the I-Pace, forward visibility is good, but thick rear pillars and a shallow rear window (with no rear windscreen wiper) restrict your view of what’s behind. Fortunately, you get a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert as standard.

As for the EV6, it's aggressively angled windscreen pillars don't affect your view out at junctions and roundabouts too badly, and the relatively high driving position gives you a good view straight down the road. However, the huge rear pillars and rising window line compromise over-the-shoulder visibility, so you'll be grateful that all versions have a rear-view camera and reversing sensors to help with parking; the high-spec GT-Line trim tested here adds front sensors.

Interior quality isn’t normally a Jaguar strength, but the I-Pace is very different. Not only is the design suitably swish, but the fixtures and fittings feel robust and built to last. Material quality still isn’t going to worry Audi, but the I-Pace feels like it’s worth even its substantial asking price when new.

The EV6's interior can’t quite match the I-Pace's, but again you might be surprised by how classy it feels. The suede seats are a nice touch, plus everything feels well screwed together, and there are plenty of gloss black and rubberised surfaces to create a suitably upmarket ambience.

Dashboard usability is also hard to fault in the EV6, thanks to big, chunky buttons that are clearly marked and well spaced out. Meanwhile, adjusting the air temperature is a simple matter of twisting a dial – just as it should be. The I-Pace relies more heavily on touch-sensitive controls that may look good in the showroom but are distracting to use on the move. Still, at least you can tweak the temperature and heated seats using one easy-to-find dial.

Infotainment systems

Kia EV6

All versions of the EV6 come with a curved 12.3in touchscreen that's positioned within easy reach and high on the dashboard, where you can see it more easily. All trims have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, too, while our GT-Line model gets wireless phone-charging.

Jaguar I-Pace

The I-Pace has a modern-looking dual-touchscreen layout, with the sat-nav, phone and audio functions all controlled using the 10.0in upper screen, but while the graphics are crisp, it can be sluggish to respond to inputs. Post-2019 cars get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration so you can use your phone’s software instead, plus 4G wi-fi. 

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