2023 Kia EV6 GT Review: Porsche Taycan Fast, For Half The Price

Most people consider an EV for its fuel savings, lower cost of ownership, and environmental responsibility, but others crave the neck-snapping electric torque and impressive handling afforded by the low center of gravity. Kia’s new EV6 GT is designed for the latter.

2023 Kia EV6 GT

9.00 / 10

Key Features

High-performance EV
Standard All-Wheel Drive
206 Miles Of Driving Range

Specifications

Model: 2023 Kia EV6 GT
Engine: AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet Motor
Power Output: 576 HP
Torque: 545 LB-FT
Range: 206 Miles
Transmission: Gear Reduction Unit
Driveline: All-Wheel Drive
MSRP: $61,400
MSRP (As Tested): $62,865

Pros

Blistering Acceleration
Sport Cars Maneuvers
Everyday Usability

Cons

A Tinge Of Range Anxiety
Stiffer Ride
Manual Sport Seats

Speeding Things Up With A Kia EV6 GT

The new EV6 GT – the high-performance variant of Kia’s breakthrough electric car - sacrifices some range in exchange for exotic car acceleration; it is quick enough to beat a Porsche Taycan GTS off the line for less than half the price. I reviewed the standard EV6 last year and came away from it just as impressed as everyone else who’s showering it with all sorts of awards. With advanced design, hyper-fast charging capability, and up to 310 miles of range, it’s no wonder the EV6 has been a huge success.

Starting at $50,000, it’s not inexpensive – the Niro EV fills that niche – but it’s available in either rear- or all-wheel drive, generously sized and premium in nature. And the all-wheel drive models are darn quick in their own right. With dual motors, they can rip off a 0-to-60 MPH time in 5.1 seconds. So is there a need, a need for even more speed? Apparently so. Using the same 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery as the Wind and GT-Line, this EV6 GT discharges its power with more fury at a rate of 481 kW, feeding a 270-kW motor at the rear and a 160-kW motor at the front.

This increase in electricity dramatically raises horsepower from 320 to 576 and peak torque from 446 pound-feet to 545. This hastens acceleration to seriously quick 3.4 seconds to reach 60 MPH with a top speed of 161 MPH. Activate the GT drive mode with the green steering wheel switch and the EV6 is optimized for maximum performance; traction control is disabled and the chassis becomes firmer. Flooring the go-pedal on the GT is a mind-warping experience accompanied by a chirp of the tires and your choice of sounds.

The EV6 GT Offers A Heavy But Skillful Drive

Prefer the silence of an EV? Just leave Active Sound Design off and there’s only minimal ambient noise that permeates the cabin. Otherwise, choose from Stylish, Dynamic, or Cyber to curate the desired aural ambiance. I tend to like it when driving for enjoyment but leave it off during typical commutes. And, anytime a car is made to go faster a domino effect begins.

The GT comes with an electronically-controlled, heartier, sport-tuned suspension for improved handling, a limited-slip differential, to further traction when cornering and larger, ventilated disc brakes all around for quicker stops with less fade. Twenty-one-inch, Z-rated, summer-use tires are standard but this week the EV6 is wearing Pirelli performance winter rubber which isn’t fully exploiting the car’s abilities. Yet, despite the GT’s hefty 5,732 pounds – 1,000 of it comprised of the high-voltage battery – this EV6 slithers through curvy roads with the skillfulness of a sizable grand tourer.

There’s a palpable stoutness to this car from the robustly bolstered sport bucket seats to the tight steering; its elevated purpose is immediately felt. Also, pulling both paddle shifters and holding them for three seconds unlocks Drift Mode for some rear-wheel sliding shenanigans. Unlike the non-GT EV6, there is a configurable My Drive mode here but no snow mode. I do appreciate having the drive mode switches easily accessible on the steering wheel.

Neon Green Highlights On The EV6 GT

From an appearance standpoint, the GT model stands out with its subtly different front and rear designs and neon green accents both on the brake calipers and inside the cabin where it adorns the vegan leather seats and its suede inserts. Both front seats are manually operated with height adjustability unlike the power seats in the lesser trims and their high sides make getting in and out a bit of an exercise, but they are quite comfortable and appropriately snug.

The EV6 Is Fast On The Road And Fast At The Charger

At a 350 kW hyper-fast charger, it takes only take 18 minutes to replenish the battery from 10% to 80%. A slower 50 kW fast charger takes 73 minutes to do the same job. You receive a charging credit of 1,000 kWh at Electrify America stations, useable over a three-year period. But if you own an EV6 having a level 2 charger installed at your home is undoubtedly the way to go, especially with the GT.

This model delivers the lowest driving range in the EV6 lineup with an average of 206 miles. That’s down from 282 miles in the Wind AWD and 252 miles in the GT Line AWD. And in this winter weather, a full battery is returning only 180 miles. This is the GT’s biggest bugaboo. At 240 volts this car will charge to 100% in under 9 hours – in other words, overnight.

With that in mind, Kia provides numerous tools to help boost EV confidence and squash range anxiety:

Quick access to a list of nearby chargers with navigation, if necessary
A visual depiction of the geographical driving range
How range is affected by the use of climate controls
And the ability to schedule charging during times of reduced electricity rates

Kia's Typically High Content Level

bucket seats EV6 GT — Drive Time Productions LLC

The EV6’s long Telluride-like wheelbase and underfloor mounted battery create maximum interior space with true three-across rear seating. There’s even a small cubby for a little extra storage under the faux engine cover. The cabin’s motif is futuristically eco-friendly featuring recycled plastics and artificial leather, a floating center console design, and Hyundai-Kia’s familiar but updated touchscreen infotainment system called Kia Connect.

And there are smart features everywhere:

Remote start and remote parking via the key fob - perfect for times when the parking space is a tight squeeze
A hands-free hatch that opens simply by standing next to it
Customizable driving sounds ranging from racy to spacey
An augmented reality head-up display that appears to hover over the hood of the car
And the ability to use the EV6’s on-board power generator to plug in items such as computers and tailgating paraphernalia, either through the outlet under the rear seats or via the provided adapter that turns the charge port into another 110-volt outlet - also capable of charging a fellow EV

Improvements?

What would I change? As you’re probably aware there’s no wireless phone projection with Kia’s best infotainment system so a USB cable is still required for connection (though there is wire management and a wireless charge pad) changing from climate controls to audio controls is accomplished by touching a finger on the digital bar below the center screen – an unusual approach that can lead to inadvertently cranking up the cabin temperature when intending to crank up the tunes - and lastly, when it comes to public charging, automakers like Mercedes get it right in that its EVs are plug-and-charge – no app or credit card needed. Kia should do the same here.