Kia EV6 GT Review

Tesla is frightened. As long as cars like the new Kia EV6 GT come to market, the onetime King of the EV mountain has good reason to worry. Best of all, this is not just for the casual EV user. The EV6 GT is just what the automotive enthusiast ordered. It used to be that the enthusiast set couldn’t even be dragged kicking and screaming into an electric vehicle. That was the olden days. A lot has changed since then and Napleton News likes the new path automakers are taking. But it’s not all peaches and cream, here. Read on for more.

Like a slot car…without the slot!

The new Kia EV6 GT is not your average vehicle. By appearance, it’s as though the Kia K5 and the Sorento had a love child. But many people have asked us, “is it a car or an SUV?” We think it’s a slammed Crossover. It has four doors and a hatch with seating for five passengers.

The new EV6 GT is the most powerful Kia production vehicle ever produced. It includes a pair of electric motors that are part of the GT’s e-AWD powertrain. As the name implies, power is sent to all four wheels. The system is centered around a 77.4-kWh Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese battery pack to power the front-mounted 160-kW motor and a rear-mounted 270 kW motor. The pair supply a combined output of 576 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque.

While the maximum speed of the standard EV6 is 117 mph, the Kia EV6 GT can punch through the air at a top speed of 161 mph. Power comes with a cost: the standard EV6 manages 282 miles, while the EV6 GT manages 206 miles. Those miles increase in range as the vehicle gets through a break-in period. For the record, the GT hits mileage marks of 85 city/74 highway with 79 combined. If you are so inclined, the Kia EV6 GT can tow up to 2,300 lbs.

As a bonus, buyers receive 1,000 kWh of free charging via Electrify America charging stations. That’s good for around 12 full charges. On the downside, the EV6 GT does not include a home charging cable, even as an add-on option.

How does the Kia EV6 GT Look?

It’s quite bold looking, this new GT. Our Runway Red sampler included almost everything an enthusiast could ask for. As a result, we’d call it loaded except for the lack of carpeted floor mats which tacked on another $170.

The futuristic look features sleek LED head and daylight running lights in front. A power-bulged hood invokes a performance look, except, well, there’s no engine up front. Rear taillights are part of a graphic light band spanning the width from left to right. The upturned deck finishes with a spoiler.

Body-colored side skirts and an aggressive front fascia help define the front and sides of the GT. Aerodynamic alloy wheels and a rear under-bumper diffuser give a performance air, which is punctuated by “safety yellow” brake calipers. A hidden charging door at the right rear corner is where you plug-in for more energy.

What about the EV6 Cabin?

The EV6 GT’s interior is a combo of useful and futuristic at the same time. A large wrap-around display screen combines the gauges to the left and the infotainment screen to the right. Ventilated black leather seats featured heating and ventilation which came in handy during Florida’s unusually chilly winter.

One thing is missing: the transmission tunnel. Since the EV6 GT incorporates a pair of electric motors, there is no driveshaft running from the front engine bay to the rear axle. That means there’s more space inside. By the numbers, the cabin is huge! At 114.2 inches, Kia boasts the EV6 has the same wheelbase as the best-selling Kia Telluride.

The cargo capacity of the EV6 GT measures in at 24.4 cubic feet behind the 60:40 folding rear seat. Fold them forward to grow that area to 50.2 cubic feet. That’s quite a load from your local warehouse store.

Driving the Kia EV6 GT.

As we recently found out with the less-powerful Kia EV6, riding in the EV6 GT is like cruising in a dinghy without a paddle and life preserver and you are heading towards Niagara Falls. It’s enough to bring on a large dose of range anxiety. As we found with the EV6, the GT does not come with a standard home charging cord. It’s simply not a part of the package. Your local Kia parts department can order you one for $1,100. But check out the Kia Level 2 home charger. At $749, the Level 2 Charger is a bargain, compared to a 120-volt charger.

If you haven’t added a fast charger in your garage, you can take advantage of one at any Electrify America charging station or at your local Walmart, which by now should have several charging stations. It’s the ultimate in multitasking, where you can charge up and get a Walmart Superstore fix at the same time.

Kia’s Go-fast EV.

Acceleration was just as smooth as Kia’s less powerful EV6. Sport mode kicks the GT into high-gear and manages a nice kick back into the seats. The GT offered a definitive sports car feel that many other cars and EVs are missing these days.

The low center of gravity caused by the EV6 GT’s skateboard platform made handling rock steady. It allowed the chassis to perform in a spritely manner, thanks to the 49/51 front-to-rear weight bias. Speaking of spritely, the EV6 GT even includes a drift mode that allows you to kick the tail out at will.

Did we mention now would be a good time to buy stock in a tire manufacturer?! Just kidding (Not kidding.)

Judging by crowd response, the new Kia EV6 GT is already a hit.

Kia EV6 GT Specifications

	2023 Kia EV6 GT
Engine Type	AC Synchronus Permanent Magnet Motor
Horsepower	576 hp
Torque	545 lb-ft
Transmission	1-speed automatic with AWD
Fuel Economy	79 mpg (85 city/74 hwy)
Suspension F/R	Macpherson Strut/ Multilink
Turning Circle	19.6 ft.
Also Available	EV6, EV6 GT-Line models
Specs
Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	10 years/100,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not Tested
Max Seating Capacity	5 passengers
Wheelbase	114.2 inches
Overall Length	184.8 inches
Width	74.4 inches
Height	60.8 inches
Cargo Room (Behind 1st and 2nd row)	50.2/24.4 Cubic Feet
Headroom, Front	36.8 inches
Headroom, 2nd	38.0 inches
Legroom, 1st	42.4 inches
Legroom, 2nd	39.6 inches
Shoulder, 1st	57.8 inches
Shoulder, 2nd	55.6 inches