Entry-level Kia EV6 Light returns for 2023 but with a catch

Kia dropped the entry-level EV6 Light for 2023 at the same time as it raised EV6 MSRPs $1,000 across the board. The EV6 Light came with a 58-kWh battery, an electric motor making 167 horsepower sent to the rear wheels good for 232 miles of range. The lineup revamp took the base price for the popular battery-electric crossover from $42,695 to $49,795, the additional money buying the EV6 Wind. The Wind packed a 77.4-kWh battery, a 225-hp motor, and 310 miles of range. Back then, Kia told Cars Direct the more expensive entry trim gave buyers "greater range and sought-after standard features." Since then, legacy makers like Volkswagen and new makers like VinFast have offered less expensive trims with less range, and a price war recently broke out that's still got product planners playing with their abaci.

So it wasn't outrageous to hear that Cars Direct got hold of a Kia dealer bulletin this month suggesting the EV6 Light would return to the fold for the 2023 model year. Kia eventually confirmed the news, telling the outlet, "Kia is following the market and other EVs sellers such as VW are offering shorter range models in relatively limited volume. Kia is doing the same in the Western Region only. Customers who don’t require the longer range appreciate the value."

The trim hasn't made it to Kia's retail site, but it's already on sale at dealers limited to the west region. Available markets are Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada Oregon, Utah, and Washington.