Compare the2026 Kia EV6VS 2026 Tesla Model 3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the EV6 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The EV6 (except Short Range) offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model 3 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The EV6 has standard 911 Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the EV6 and the Model 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Kia EV6 is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

	EV6	Model 3
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	19.2%	22%
Neck Stress	191 lbs.	230 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	42 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	202/276 lbs.	333/455 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Kia EV6 is safer than the Tesla Model 3:

	EV6	Model 3
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	82	206
Hip Force	367 lbs.	556 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	362	384

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The EV6 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Model 3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the EV6 2 years longer than Tesla covers the Model 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Model 3 ends after only 8 years or 100,000 miles.

There are almost 4 times as many Kia dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the EV6’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is rated below average.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the EV6’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Model 3:

	EV6	Model 3	Model 3 Performance
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	12.6 inches	14 inches

The EV6 stops shorter than the Model 3:

	EV6	Model 3
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the EV6 GT-Line e-AWD’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Model 3 (255/45R20 vs. 235/35R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EV6 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Model 3.

Suspension and Handling

The EV6 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the EV6 flat and controlled during cornering. The Model 3’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the EV6 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Model 3.

Passenger Space

The EV6 has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model 3 (103 vs. 97).

The EV6 has 1.9 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 4.5 inches more rear legroom, .9 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model 3.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the EV6’s rear seats recline. The Model 3’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the EV6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Model 3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Tesla Model 3 is limited to 2200 pounds. The EV6 offers up to a 2300 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the EV6 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model 3.

Ergonomics

The EV6 GT-Line has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The EV6’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Model 3’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The EV6’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model 3 doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the EV6 has standard extendable sun visors. The Model 3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Kia EV6 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Model 3 Premium/Performance.

Compared to the Tesla Model 3’s traditional radio, the Kia EV6 equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

The EV6 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the rear seat, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Model 3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the EV6 as the 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Model 3 has never been chosen.

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