2023 Kia EV6 GT Review and Test Drive
The new, all-electric EV6 GT is the most powerful production Kia ever.
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Review QuickTakes:
For the 2022 model year, Kia introduced the all-new EV6 crossover, the brand's first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) built on Hyundai Motor Group's new EV platform and component set. The five-seat EV6's arrival launched Kia's Plan S strategy, which promises at least two new BEV models every year with the expectation of offering 14 by 2027.
As part of that commitment, the Korean brand is growing the EV6 lineup with the all-new high-performance EV6 GT. The GT takes its place at the top of the EV6 lineup, boasting more horsepower than any other Kia model.
Perry Stern
With dual electric motors pumping 576 hp to all four wheels, the new GT is the most powerful Kia ever and the quickest by far. However, rather than heralding the EV's efficiency and zero emissions, Kia focuses on the GT's ability to accelerate from zero to 60 mph. The automaker claims the EV6 GT is quicker than some exotic sports cars, including Ferrari and Lamborghini models that cost considerably more than the Kia.
Kia offers the 2023 EV6 in three trim levels: EV6 Wind, EV6 GT-Line, and the new EV6 GT. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Wind and GT-Line are also available with dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), which is standard on the GT. Prices range from about $50,000 for the EV6 Wind RWD to the low $60,000s for the new EV6 GT, including the $1,295 destination charge.
Kia invited me to Las Vegas to experience the new EV6 GT, and covered my travel, lodging, and dining expenses. The company supplied a 2023 Kia EV6 GT for evaluation, painted Runway Red. As the top-level trim in the EV6 lineup, the GT has few optional extras. The only option on the vehicle I drove was a set of floor mats. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the EV6 GT test vehicle was $62,865, including the destination charge.
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2023 Kia EV6 GT Review: The Design
With a sloping, sculpted hood that flows nicely into the signature LED running lights, the EV6 has a unique look that helps it stand out from other crossovers on the market. Stylish LED taillights wrap around the corners, connected by a single light bar that spans the car's width. While I expected the EV6 GT would have a sportier body style, the new high-performance variant carries the same sheetmetal as the rest of the lineup.
However, a few styling elements help set the GT apart. The most noticeable are the neon-green brake calipers and unique 21-inch wheels shod with high-performance 255/40R21 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Other subtle differences include a slightly different pattern in the lower grille and a revised rear fascia.
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Inside, the EV6 GT has a high-tech vibe. Kia houses dual 12.3-inch displays, one for the instrumentation and the other for the infotainment system, in a single curved display screen that spans two-thirds of the dashboard. The dashboard features an attractive pattern that gives it depth, as does the center console cover. In addition, the materials and surfaces have a premium feel.
The primary display screen is clear and easy to navigate, but it seems like other controls could be more straightforward. At first glance, the panel below the center display controls the dual-zone climate functions (fan, temperature, and airflow direction) with soft-touch buttons and temperature control knobs, but this panel does double duty.
Pressing the toggle button changes the controls from climate functions to shortcuts to navigation, radio, and media settings. Also, the knob allows access to volume and tuning controls. While I appreciate the good use of space, I still feel it's too easy to select the wrong function, and adjust the volume rather than the temperature.
Perry Stern
The exclusive sports seats are appropriate for the car's high level of performance. Covered in artificial suede with vegan-leather trim and neon-green piping and stitching, the seats feature a chrome accent integrated into the back, emblazoned with "GT." The back and thigh bolsters provide additional support during enthusiastic driving. However, there are some sacrifices. The seats lack power adjustment and ventilation, and they are rather stiff. After spending a day in the GT, I missed the more comfortable seats used in the standard EV6. Currently, the sports seats are the only choice for the EV6 GT.
The only other interior hints that this is the high-performance variant of the EV6 are the neon-green GT button on the steering wheel and the GT badge on the right side of the dashboard.
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The back seat is spacious with good headroom and extensive legroom, thanks to a flat floor that the electric powertrain makes possible. Even the center position features unobstructed legroom, making it usable by a full-size adult. Between the front seatbacks are dual USB ports, a nice feature for rear-seat passengers.
The rear hatch opens wide for easy loading into the cargo area, which features 24.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. The EV6 provides proper crossover utility with plenty of room for multiple pieces of luggage or other gear. The rear seats fold flat in a 60/40 split, bringing the total space to 50.2 cubic feet for added versatility.
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2023 Kia EV6 GT Review: The Technology
In my opinion, the EV6 GT's touchscreen infotainment system is one of the market's more intuitive and easy-to-use. Large icons provide quick access to most features, and there's a dedicated home button at the top of the screen.
Connecting to the system via Bluetooth with my Galaxy S21 Android phone was straightforward. However, operating Android Auto requires a wired connection; wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are unavailable on the EV6. Once connected, Android Auto worked as expected. However, Kia limits the display to just 2/3 of the infotainment screen; the right third showed the audio from my phone, even when I was listening to SiriusXM satellite radio.
While I could set the destination and change the music source and station via voice commands, I found the voice recognition to be less advanced than I've experienced in some higher-end European models. But it worked well, and allowed me to stay focused on driving.
Perry Stern
Kia keeps the large driver display simple, with a prominent presentation of the two most important figures: speed and range to empty. You can configure the center section to provide more information about vehicle operation. Additionally, there's a large head-up display that can show navigation instructions, vehicle speed, and driver-assist functions.
Kia equips the EV6 GT with a long list of active safety equiptment. Highlights include automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear-cross-traffic alert with automated braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, adaptive cruise control, and Safe Exit Assist.
In addition, the Kia also features blind-spot cameras viewed on the driver display when you activate the turn signal, providing a view of the left or right blind spot before changing lanes. This camera system is quite helpful, so much so that I miss it when driving other cars.
One of my favorite EV features is a one-pedal driving option, and the EV6 GT has it. Paddles behind the steering wheel change the level of regenerative braking, with the maximum setting providing enough stopping power to bring the car to a halt without applying the brakes.
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This feature is most enjoyable on a twisty road or track setting. For example, rather than moving back and forth between the brake and accelerator, I could slow the car heading into a corner and then quickly exit the turn simply by lifting off the right pedal and then pressing down again.
The EV6 GT comes with Highway Driving Assist 2, which combines the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist with a new lane-change assist function. The technology maintains a set speed and following distance to the car ahead, keeps the Kia in the center of its lane, and assists with signaled lane changes when it is safe to swap lanes. However, the driver's hands must remain on the wheel for the system to function.
The 2023 Kia EV6 achieved the highest-possible Good score in all crash and accident-avoidance tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), earning the car the Institute's coveted Top Safety Pick+ rating. Note, however, that as I write this review, the rating applies only for the 2022 calendar year. So be sure to check back with the IIHS for updated information as a part of your research process.
At the time of writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had yet to give the EV6 an Overall rating.
Perry Stern
2023 Kia EV6 GT Review: The Drive
Two electric motors power the 2023 Kia EV6 GT, paired with a 77.4-kWh battery pack. A 160-kW (215-hp) unit drives the front wheels, and a 270-kW (362-hp) rear motor supplies power to the rear wheels. The combined output is 576 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque. More than just a higher-powered EV6, the GT features a dedicated sport suspension with electronically controlled dampers, larger front and rear brakes, and a rear electronic limited-slip differential.
Several drive modes are available for the EV6 GT. They include Eco, Normal, Sport, GT, and Drift. These adjust the suspension, limited-slip differential, regenerative braking, and power output. Drivers can select GT mode via the big green button on the steering wheel; it is the only mode that delivers the full 576 hp and the maximum regenerative braking. In addition, there is a Drift mode, perhaps a bid to attract younger driving enthusiasts to the car. Maximum power drops to 320 kW, or 429 hp, once the battery drops below 70% charge. However, even at this level, the car still feels plenty quick.
Perry Stern
Kia claims the EV6 GT will sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, and I have no reason to dispute this figure; the car feels speedy. To provide some perspective, the EV6 GT is slightly quicker to 60 mph – by about a tenth of a second — than the Porsche 911 Carrera S, which costs twice as much and offers less practicality. Kia lists the EV6 GT's top speed at 161 mph.
Merging onto the freeway in the EV6 GT is a thrill because that instantaneous, effortless power delivery never gets old. Highway speed comes up quickly, and it's easy to exceed the legal limit if you're not paying attention. Cruising at higher speeds, the EV6 GT is quiet and stable, with little wind or road noise. There's always power available for passing when needed.
While GT mode is fun, especially on a twisty road, the suspension gets quite stiff, making the ride uncomfortable. The rough ride was especially noticeable when the road needed work; changing to Normal mode smoothed the bumps considerably.
Perry Stern
To better learn the limits of this high-performance EV6 GT without endangering the public, Kia arranged for a drive on a road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Driving in GT mode with maximum power, the stiffest suspension, and the strongest brake regeneration, the EV6 performed admirably.
The stability and traction systems kept the car on track without cutting power, even when pushed hard into the corners. The brakes felt excellent, and they worked as well at the end of my run as they did at the beginning. Steering feedback was also excellent, and power seemed endlessly available.
For a little more fun, I took a few runs on the speedway's dragstrip, with impressive results. Full throttle on the slick surface resulted in a tiny squeal of the tires as they immediately found grip, rocketing me through the quarter-mile in just 11.47 seconds at 118 mph – impressive figures for any vehicle and almost surreal for a Kia crossover.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the EV6 GT's efficiency at 79 MPGe combined. However, the EV6's trip computer shows efficiency as miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Using the EPA's conversion of 33.705 MPGe to 1 mile/kWh, the indicated 2.3 miles/kWh that I saw during my 100-plus-mile drive equates to about 78 MPGe. That's rather impressive for a car this quick and powerful and right in line with the EPA ratings.
When I first got into the EV6 GT at my hotel in Las Vegas, the display showed a 97% charge and 201 miles of range. For context, the EPA estimates the range for this car at 206 miles on a full charge. At the end of the 124-mile drive, the remaining range showed 56 miles, indicating the maximum range would be closer to 180 miles. It's important to note that my evaluation included some spirited driving in GT mode. A more conservative pace would likely bring the range closer to the EPA figure.
Perry Stern
Is the 2023 Kia EV6 GT a Good EV?
As Kia's first dedicated BEV model on the E-GMP platform, the EV6 sets a high bar among electric cars. Offering an attractive blend of efficiency and performance, the stylish EV6 doesn't skimp on interior features or utility, making it an excellent daily driver and a perfect introduction to the benefits of an EV.
The new EV6 GT may give up some of that efficiency, but it delivers outstanding performance, and when connected to an 800-volt DC charging station, the battery can also go from a 10 to 80% charge in less than 18 minutes.
With the new EV6 GT, Kia expands on its EV offering and, more importantly, brings a new level of performance to the Korean brand. Some buyers may need help reconciling a Kia priced above $60,000. Still, with performance figures on par with supercars costing considerably more (and that don't offer Kia's roomy interior and utility), one might consider the EV6 GT a bargain.
Ultimately, the new EV6 GT adds a healthy dose of fun to an already excellent electric crossover offering.
