5 Cool Things About the 2023 Kia EV6 GT | The Daily Drive

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2023 Kia EV6 GT in Runway Red

2023 Kia EV6 GT AWD

Class: Compact crossover

Color: Supersonic Red

Miles driven: 124

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	B+
Power and Performance	A
Fit and Finish	B+
Fuel Economy	A
Value	B+

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	A
Tall Guy	B+

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	576 horsepower
Engine Type	Electric motors
Transmission	Automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Battery capacity: 77.4 kWh

EPA-estimate MPGe: 85 city/74 hwy/79 combined

EPA-estimated driving range: 206 miles

Consumer Guide range estimate (ideal conditions): 200+ miles

Snow Performance: N/A

Base price: $61,400 (not including $1295 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Carpeted floor mats ($170)

Price as tested: $62,865

Quick Hits

The great: Thrilling acceleration, roomy and practical cabin

The good: sporty handling, quiet on the highway

The not so good: Modest range limits road-trip flexibility

5 Cool Things About the 2023 Kia EV6 GT

As a kid, I read a Consumer Guide review of the 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that left an indelible impression on me. Buried in the review was a spec box which included a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds. The impressive figure came as a result of the Trans Am’s 400-cubic-inch engine and 4-speed manual transmission. While there were at the time faster cars—the Porsche 911 Turbo and a number of exotic Italian cars—the Trans Am played huge in the minds of young would-be car enthusiasts, thanks in large part to the “Screaming Chicken” hold decal and the car’s gorgeous Firebird silhouette.

2023 Kia EV6 GT

I Mention the Trans Am because it occurs to me that the Kia EV6 GT, the sports car of Kia’s EV6 electric-crossover lineup, blasts to 60 mph from a stop in just 3.4 seconds. That’s about half the time it took my beloved Trans Am to perform the same task. Half the time.

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2023 Kia EV6 GT

And, unlike the cramped and extroverted Trans Am, the EV6 GT is a practical, functional, family vehicle packed with the kind of small-crossover virtues that make it worthy of a place in many an American driveway. The EV6 GT is a compelling transportation option for the would-be owner looking for a blend of practicality and nearly guilt-free super-car fun.

The GT rests atop an EV6 lineup that begins with the rear-wheel drive Light, and ascends through Wind, GT-Line, and GT models. Adding AWD runs about $6000 on all trim levels save for the GT on which it is standard.

Compared to the AWD GT-Line, which is mostly a sporty cosmetic upgrade of the midlevel Wind, the GT boasts 256 additional horsepower (for a total of 576), Electronically controlled sport suspension, 21-inch alloy wheels (up from 19-inch units), a limited-slip rear differential, and performance brakes with yellow calipers.

At just $4000 more than all AWD GT-Line, the EV6 GT seems like a bargain. And as it outruns many an exotic sports car, the GT seems like an even better deal. There is a downside, though. All that performance comes at a price: reduced range.

While the AWD GT-line rated by the EPA to travel 252 miles on a fully charged battery, the GT is rated at only 206 miles. Aggressive play—which is sort of the point of this car—will reduce range accordingly. But if you can live with the limited range, we think there’s much to appreciate about the 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Here’s out list of the five coolest attributes of Kia electric rocket:

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It’s Very Fast, Accelerating

2023 Kia EV6 GT

Kia claims the EV6 GT will acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. To put that number into proper perspective, consider that there are precious few Ferrari or Porsche models that will match that performance. Wilder still, Kia’s official acceleration numbers may be conservative, as buff books have reported figures as low as 3.2 seconds.

Regardless of the exact numbers, the EV6 GT is easily among the fastest accelerating vehicles ever evaluated by Consumer Guide. More impressive than the raw power, though, is how effortlessly this electric Kia goes about its business: no noise, no wheel spin, no shudder through the steering wheel.

It’s Very Fast, Charging

Thanks to its corporate 800-volt E-GMP architecture, all EV6 trim levels enjoy super-fast charging, assuming you can find an accommodating charger; super-fast (350 kW) chargers are not yet common. At such a station, EV6 GT will charge from a 10 percent state to 80 percent in just 18 minutes.

Using a typical 220-volt home charger, the EV6 GT can be charged from a fully deplete state to 100 percent in about seven hours.

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It’s Low Compromise

2023 Kia EV6 GT

Despite its super-car performance, the Kia EV6 GT, like every model in the EV6 lineup, is incredibly easy to live with. Indeed, the EV6 GT is a roomy, comfortable, functional small crossover this rides and handles well, and is easy to drive in heavy traffic or around suburban malls. Even the aggressive-looking sport seats are long-trip comfortable. Also, with standard AWD, the GT should hold its own during the most oppressive Snow Belt winter months.

It’s (Reasonably) affordable

At about $63,000, the EV6 isn’t cheap, but given the available performance it is an incredible bargain. How many cars costing less than $100,000 can accommodate an Ikea run and humiliate a Corvette at the same time? Also, if you don’t appreciate breathtaking acceleration, you can also opt for the delightful EV6 GT-Line, which shares many of the GT’s design elements, runs from 0 to 60 mph in about six seconds, and runs about $10,000 less. You can read our review of the EV6 GT Line here.

It’s Exclusive

Kia expects that roughly ten percent of its annual EV6 production will be comprised of the GT. By Kia’s count, that’s about 2000 EV6 GTs a year. If you’re looking for a stealthy, sporty, reasonably affordable electric rocket ship, the EV6 GT deserves a place on your test drive short list.

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