The Kia EV6 has been successful over consumers in search of a classy EV providing loads of options, good vary, and an affordable price ticket. Now, with the EV6 GT, the Korean carmaker ups the ante by including supercar efficiency and a brand new drift mode. But there are a couple of sacrifices.
You could be laboring beneath some critical misconceptions, particularly with regards to EVs. Indeed, the primary technology of battery-electric autos may barely get out of their very own means, with sluggish acceleration, minimal vary, cramped interiors, a dearth of options, and typical unusual styling.
The Kia EV6, which launched earlier this yr, is one other matter totally — with good-looking styling, a roomy and well-appointed cabin, as much as 310 miles of vary, and loads of fascinating options.
Now, the Korean automaker is including efficiency to the combo with the 2023 Kia EV6 GT punching out a neck-snapping 576 horsepower.
I spent a day pushing the Korean electrical supercar to its limits on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, whereas additionally trying out the way it dealt with on native roads. While there are a couple of trade-offs, the GT is more likely to win over loads of people who’ve by no means thought of an EV till now.
In quick: There’s an excellent cause why Kia can’t sustain with demand for the brand new EV6 crossover. And efficiency followers will uncover but another excuse with the debut of the 2023 Kia EV6 GT. It’s extra highly effective than the competing Mustang Mach-E GT with Performance Pack, and faster off the road than a Porsche Taycan GTS. But its battery pack drains quick when you’ve bought a lead foot, which makes its fast-charge electrical system all of the extra fascinating.
2023 Kia EV6 GT Review
Something Unexpected This Way Comes
Kia first ventured into the EV market with a battery-powered model of the quirky Soul crossover, later including the Niro. This was the one mannequin in the marketplace out there with a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, in addition to a purely electrical drive choice.
The EV6 is the model’s first devoted battery-electric automobile. It shares the identical underpinnings (just like the E-GMP structure) with sibling manufacturers Hyundai and Genesis.
The EV6 was initially provided with a number of trim packages, beginning with the rear-wheel-drive EV6 Wind and, on the extra premium aspect, the EV6 GT-Line. But it hinted at higher (learn: extra highly effective) issues to come back. It’s about to reach in U.S. showrooms within the type of the all-wheel-drive 2023 Kia EV6 GT.
Previously, Kia centered on what was euphemistically often known as “cheap and cheerful” merchandise. They had been small, no-frills choices with fire-sale costs. Over the a long time, Kia has constantly moved up the market.
The unique Kia EV6 was no slouch, delivering as a lot as 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. But the EV6 GT takes issues to the subsequent stage. That’s very true on the efficiency aspect. The all-electric crossover pushes 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. That makes it not solely probably the most highly effective mannequin Kia has ever provided but additionally places it in a league with devoted efficiency EVs just like the Mustang Mach-E GT and even the Porsche Taycan GTS. Both are slower than the EV6 GT when launching from 0-60.
Kia EV6 GT: A Powertrain Package for Performance Junkies
All that torque comes on quick. That’s one of many key advantages of electrical motors, with a clean, linear really feel that can launch you to 60 in a mere 3.4 seconds. Keep your proper foot firmly on the ground and also you’ll high out at 161 mph.
While all-wheel drive is an choice for mainstream variations of the Kia EV6, it’s customary with the GT, and tuned particularly for max efficiency. With its electronically managed limited-slip differential, the crossover can direct torque wherever it’s most wanted to ship not solely a fast launch but additionally most grip.
That’s additional enhanced by the 21-inch alloy wheels shod in Goodyear Eagle F1 tires.
EV6 GT Drive Modes
The EV6 GT provides a customizable My Drive Mode, a GT Mode triggered by a vibrant yellow button on the underside proper of the steering wheel, and even a Drift Mode.
When drifting, the GT’s digital management system can utterly minimize off energy to the entrance axle. It will then apply entrance energy, as crucial, to maintain the automobile beneath management.
As with increasingly more new battery-electric autos, the EV6 household options adjustable regenerative braking, which recaptures vitality usually misplaced throughout braking and coasting, sending it again to the battery pack to increase vary.
In its most aggressive 1-Pedal mode, a driver will have the ability to modulate the throttle to gradual, and even cease, quite than leaping backwards and forwards from throttle to brake. With the GT, regen turns into much more aggressive — helpful if you’re charging arduous corners on observe or off.
Kia makes certain its top-performance mannequin can cease beneath all situations by upgrading the standard, friction aspect of its brake system. That consists of 14-inch ventilated rotors on the again wheels.
A Trade-Off on Range, But No Compromises on Charging
When you’re drawing energy from a battery, massive motors and aggressive driving require a trade-off in vary. The Wind and GT-Line fashions get a most of 320 miles per cost. The Kia EV6 GT manages a mere 206 miles, based on the EPA. And that’s whereas taking it gradual and straightforward.
Put it out on the observe, or run a sequence of quarter-mile runs — as I did on the dragstrip on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway — and you’ll watch the battery gauge drop quick.
That’s the case with gas-powered sports activities and muscle automobiles, in fact. But, as with most EVs, Kia has a cutoff level at which it successfully detunes the electrical powertrain. That occurs if you drop under a 70% state of cost. It stays moderately fast however only a bit much less aggressive.
The excellent news is which you could energy up the battery quick when you’re close to a DC quick charger.
Like Porsche, the automaker sprang for {an electrical} system that may deal with as a lot as 800 V, in contrast to most different producers who high out at 400. Plug it into probably the most highly effective 350kW chargers and also you’ll soar from a ten% to 80% state of cost in as little as 18 minutes. Even with the extra frequent 150kW charger, the EV6 GT’s 77.4kWh pack will probably be replenished in a still-reasonable 21 minutes.
Of course, utilizing the usual Level 2 dwelling charger, at 240 V, would require an in a single day plug-in to hit 100%.
Driving Impressions
The all-wheel-drive Kia EV6 Wind and GT-Line fashions are moderately enjoyable to drive, with clean, linear acceleration that can get you to 60 in round 6 seconds.
The GT is one other matter totally, reducing launch instances practically in half, at 3.4 seconds. Aside from the Mach-E GT and the Taycan GTS, that even beats the Lamborghini Huracán RWD Spyder, Kia officers had been fast to boast at a latest media drive.
I used to be curious to see if I may match that in my go to to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Admittedly, my reflexes have slowed as I age, however I matched the Kia quantity throughout my quickest run, whereas logging a best-of-the-day quarter-mile in simply over 11.5 seconds. That’s an equally spectacular quantity, crossing the traps at simply over 119 mph. Some colleagues bought right down to the 11.4-second vary and a high velocity of 121 mph.
The GT was additionally spectacular on the speedway’s serpentine street course. It allowed me to hit triple-digit numbers on the lengthy straights whereas sustaining composure going into the corners. The e-LSD and different nanny options, whereas dialed again in GT Mode, got here to life when wanted, conserving the nostril of the Kia crossover pointed exactly the place I wished.
I additionally dialed issues again throughout a couple-hour tour on public roads that took me from the Las Vegas Strip out to the Valley of Fire State Park close to Lake Mead.
Most spectacular was the twin nature of the EV6: a satan on the observe and an angel on native roads.
Some credit score goes to the GT’s responsive steering. But much more spectacular was the electronically managed damping system that will hunker down when pushed in aggression, then loosen simply sufficient to absorb bumps whereas out cruising.
Subtle Tweaks to the Exterior
The GT does add a couple of interesting particulars, like a bigger rear spoiler and diffuser. Also, these 21-inch wheels and tires, and the neon-green brake calipers.
But the general look isn’t that a lot totally different from the extra plebian EV6 trim packages. They all undertake Kia’s “Opposites United” design language first launched on the model’s up to date Stinger mannequin.
The acquainted Kia “tiger nose” grille turns into the brand new “Digital Tiger” design. The GT adopts a novel entrance and rear fascia meant to present it a extra aggressive look and emphasize the crossover’s width.
It’s simple to see the affect of range-extending aerodynamics, from the closed entrance grille to the pop-out door handles.
What you gained’t initially discover is the frunk (entrance trunk) beneath the hood. That’s one of many advantages of the E-GMP platform. It strikes most powertrain parts beneath the load ground, releasing up house usually eaten up by an engine compartment.
A Sophisticated, Roomy Cabin
With no engine up entrance, designers may make different helpful tweaks to the Kia EV6 line, together with the GT. While the crossover could look comparatively compact, it truly has the identical wheelbase because the model’s massive, three-row Telluride at 114.2 inches. And it has a midsize cabin, at 102 cubic ft for passengers and one other 27.7 cubic ft for cargo behind the second row.
There’s good headroom, back and front, a flat load ground, and a full 39 inches of legroom for rear passengers.
While the efficiency mannequin makes trade-offs on vary, it additionally offers up the reminiscence energy seats discovered within the Wind and GT-Line trims.
But the trade-off is value it contemplating the best way the GT’s operated by hand sport seats envelop you, conserving you firmly in place throughout aggressive driving maneuvers. They’re moderately simple to get out and in of and proved fairly comfy after a number of hours of on-road driving.
The total look of the GT’s cabin is minimalist but surprisingly luxurious, with vegan leather-based surfaces and distinctive stripes on the console and higher instrument panel.
But the attention is almost definitely drawn to the dual 12.3-inch digital shows that dominate the IP. Both are reconfigurable and add distinctive gauges and different options programmed particularly for the efficiency mannequin.
While the infotainment touchscreen is used to function many key automobile capabilities, Kia correctly retained some handbook controls — primarily for local weather capabilities and to set quantity.
Plenty of Tech within the 2023 Kia EV6 GT
The twin screens are the obvious high-tech characteristic, however there are many others, together with some provided as customary gear solely on the EV6 GT.
The efficiency crossover will get a hands-free energy liftgate, Qi wi-fi smartphone charging, and an out there Wi-Fi hotspot together with each Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can even pair the automotive to both an Apple or Android smartwatch to trace automobile info, akin to cost standing or to arrange charging.
The EV6 hyperlinks to the Alexa voice assistant. That permits an proprietor to remotely begin heating the cabin on a chilly day whereas the crossover remains to be plugged in, saving vary.
The 2023 Kia EV6 GT additionally will get an ordinary 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, in addition to an augmented-reality head-up show. When utilizing the onboard navigation system it initiatives arrows that seemingly float out entrance of the automobile to point out you exactly the place to make a flip.
The GT additionally will get a full array of superior driver help methods, akin to ahead collision warning with auto-braking, distant sensible parking help, blind spot help, and freeway driving help, amongst others.
The crossover is likely one of the first EVs to supply “Vehicle-to-Load” performance. This helps you to take vitality out of the battery pack, maybe to run a cooler or cooktop at a campsite. Or, if wanted, to maintain a fridge working at dwelling, must you lose energy.
2023 Kia EV6 GT Review Wrap-Up
The 2023 Kia EV6 is a powerful automobile that, in its numerous types, has began successful folks over. Even those that are simply starting to consider going electrical. And, with its supercar efficiency, the EV6 GT is sure to broaden the crossover’s attraction.
The EV6 GT carries a worth premium, although not as a lot as you would possibly anticipate when factoring in all of the options customary on decrease trim ranges. It begins at $61,400, a $4,000 step up from the all-wheel-drive model of the EV6 GT-Line. (Add $1,295 for supply charges.)
It’s an excellent higher deal if you examine it to a number of the different efficiency EVs now in the marketplace. The Tesla Model Y Performance version, for one, begins at $69,990, whereas the Mustang Mach-E GT with Performance Pack is available in at $75,895. While it’s not fairly an apples-to-apples match, the Porsche Taycan GTS begins at $134,100.
Kia claims to have already logged a considerable variety of hand-raisers since asserting plans for the EV6 GT earlier this yr. So, it’s simple to anticipate the efficiency EV will promote out rapidly contemplating the plan requires simply 2,000-2,500 to be shipped to the U.S. subsequent yr.
Kia officers have hinted they may bump these numbers up if the demand is there.
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