With 576 hp and a beginning worth of simply $61,400 the EV6 GT is poised to steal lots of gross sales from rivals
by Stephen Rivers
12 hours in the past
by Stephen Rivers
Earlier this yr, we had one of many very first cracks at driving the then-all-new Kia EV6. We known as it the brand new electrical car benchmark even supposing the highest trim stage, the GT, nonetheless hadn’t arrived. Now, because the yr attracts to a detailed, the flagship trim stage is prepared for the general public and arriving at dealerships nationwide as you learn this.
Not like the remainder of the EV6 lineup, the GT includes a new 362 hp (270 kW) motor on the rear axle and the 214 hp motor that’s on the again of the GT-Line trim is now on the entrance axle of the GT. Together, the pair makes a mixed complete of 576 hp (429 kW) and 545 lb-ft (738 Nm) of torque.
To search out out if it actually was definitely worth the lengthy wait, we went to Las Vegas and examined the Kia EV6 GT on public roads, on a highway course, and on the drag strip. Right here’s what we’ve discovered about probably the most highly effective manufacturing automotive to ever put on a Kia badge.
| Fast Info | |
|---|---|
| › Mannequin: | 2023 Kia EV6 GT |
| › Beginning MSRP: | $61,400 |
| › Dimensions: | 184.3 in. (4,681mm) L x 74.0 in. (1,880mm) W x 60.8 (1,544mm) H |
| › Energy: | AWD – 576 hp (429 kW) and 545 lb-ft (738 Nm) Torque |
| › 0-60mph (96km/h): | 3.4 seconds |
| › High Velocity | 161 mph (259 km/h) |
| › Vary: | 206 Miles (331 km) |
| › On Sale: | Now |
Refined Velocity Aesthetics
We’ve talked earlier than about simply how polarizing the design of the EV6 will be. The EV6 GT is prone to create comparable emotions on every finish of the spectrum as a result of it’s not a lot completely different. In reality, that lack of clear discernible distinction from the traditional EV6 is perhaps a trigger for rejoicing or derision all by itself relying on whom you ask.
Similar to the remainder of the EV6 lineup, the GT includes a purposeful decrease grille, a reasonably tall experience peak, and a darkish physique line close to the bottom that elevates to satisfy the rear decklid spoiler. The 3D headlight and tail mild remedies look nice in particular person and the holy roof-mounted spoiler on the rear is a cool contact that must be seen up near be appreciated.
First Drive: The 2022 Kia EV6 Is The New EV Benchmark
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Nonetheless, we surprise if Kia has carried out sufficient to make individuals conscious of simply how particular this automotive is. The one exterior useless giveaway, apart from the small GT badge within the again, is the inexperienced brake calipers at every nook. That identify, GT, may not be daring sufficient both as on-line searches will present that this automotive and the GT-Line get confused by individuals far and wide. Maybe Kia will enable homeowners to spec completely different coloured calipers sooner or later however for now, it gained’t say.
A Sporty Inside
The within of the EV6 GT isn’t far afield from the remainder of the lineup both. There are some notable modifications which might be nearly all constructive. Kia has added spectacular inexperienced stitching to match the inexperienced calipers and the inexperienced GT button on the steering wheel. The capacitive contact buttons on the finish of the middle console have been swapped out in favor of bodily push buttons and that’s a giant plus. Gone are the times of unintentionally enabling them together with your wrist whilst you work with the local weather management.
Spatially, the EV6 GT loses none of its inside cabin capability in comparison with the remainder of the lineup. The headroom is nice within the entrance seats and never unhealthy within the again. Taller drivers will battle within the rear seats and neglect about utilizing this factor with a helmet on within the entrance. I needed to lean approach again to have my head straight up within the observe testing parts of the drive. Nonetheless, it’s a really snug automotive when it comes to area. Within the again seat, I had greater than sufficient room to stretch out.
Cargo area is nice too. Whereas the EV6 may appear to be a tall sedan, it has a cavernous boot. With the seats in place, it options 24.4 cubic ft within the again. Drop these seats down and that determine expands to 50.2 cubic ft.
The one ache level within the GT is the entrance seating state of affairs. We love the added bolstering and their basic form. They’re unbelievable on a observe. Nonetheless, we surprise what number of consumers will probably be content material with giving up lumbar assist, air flow, and energy adjustability in comparison with the buckets within the GT-Line. It’s a tradeoff that we’d fortunately make however it might be good for Kia to a minimum of supply a unique seat for people who need the luxuries.
Tech Enabling A number of Automobiles In One
Kia doesn’t add a lot in the way in which of particular tech to the EV6 GT in comparison with the remainder of the lineup. Twin 12.3-inch screens make up the infotainment system and the motive force info show whereas a heads-up show makes use of augmented actuality to enhance the driving expertise. The place the GT stands out from its different stablemates is with regard to driving modes, of which it has 5.
Flip the automotive on and it’ll be in ‘Regular’ mode by default. On this setting, the EV6 GT makes 429 hp (320 kW). Push the mode button and it’ll soar into Eco mode the place energy will get dialed all the way down to 286 hp (214 kW). Hit it once more and also you’ll get Sport mode. Energy goes again to the place it was in Regular mode however the steering and suspension get tighter for a extra direct really feel.
Press the inexperienced GT button on the underside right-hand facet of the steering wheel and also you’ll get the full-fat 576 hp (429 kW) expertise full with even tighter steering and suspension conduct in addition to particular sport-oriented settings for the digital limited-slip differential and the digital stability management. Traction management takes a vacation in GT mode. Lastly, there’s ‘My Drive’ mode which permits the person to choose and select which settings from which options they’d want.
Excessive-Efficiency Lowers Vary To 206 Miles
Gearheads have been buying and selling efficiency for vary for many years and that’s the identical within the EV6 GT. As a substitute of the 252-mile (406 km) vary discovered within the GT-Line trim, the GT, with the identical 77.4 kWh battery pack drops down to only 206 miles (332 km) when full. That’s nonetheless greater than the common driver will want throughout a standard day but it surely’s low sufficient that we wager some will probably be delay merely due to that.
After all, Kia’s reply to these involved about vary is that it might probably cost a lot sooner than the competitors. It says that the EV6 GT will go from 10 p.c to 80 in simply 18 minutes when hooked as much as a DC quick charger. That’s a lot sooner than Tesla or Ford can accomplish. Each EV6 GT additionally comes with 1,000 kWh of quick charging from Electrify America.
We will verify that it’ll get near that vary when you’re not beating on it always. Our complete journey for the day was round 150 miles and we had about 25 remaining once we pulled into the storage at our closing vacation spot. Certain, that’s down about 30 miles from its vary estimate however that quantity isn’t factoring within the type of abuse that we threw at it. It’s value noting that beneath 70 p.c state of cost, the EV6 GT loses efficiency on a curve. Close to the tip of the day, it was noticeably slower than firstly.
How Quick Is It?
The entire level of the EV6 GT is to be an outright efficiency flagship and to that finish, it accomplishes the duty fairly properly. Consider it this manner, the Lamborghini Urus is a five-seat tremendous SUV that may do 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and dispatch 1 / 4 of a mile in 11.3 seconds. The $61,400 EV6 GT is available in about $164,000 lower than the Lambo and may practically match these efficiency figures.
Kia says that the EV6 GT might be sooner than its official 3.4-second 0-60 time and whereas we couldn’t verify that, we do know much more about the way it handles itself on a race observe. For a complete afternoon, we had the possibility to drive the EV6 GT on each the surface highway course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and in addition on ‘The Strip’, the compound’s full quarter-mile drag strip. It was not a boring day.
In the beginning, on The Strip, the EV6 GT is a bit stunning, and maybe not in the way in which one may assume. The insane instantaneous torque supplied by high-performance EVs remains to be spectacular, certain, but it surely’s misplaced a little bit of its novelty now that so many automakers have an providing that may do that very same trick. The EV6 GT isn’t the quickest or most excessive, although it’s most likely top-of-the-line bang-for-your-buck EV drag racers in the marketplace right now.
Extra: What Do You Need To Know About The 575HP 2023 Kia EV6 GT?
It was unflappable in our drag race testing. Move after move resulted in mid-11-second occasions with the most effective of the bunch dipped to 11.469. We didn’t have an opportunity to check it beneath a 70 p.c state of cost however all the way down to about 80 p.c, it was nonetheless pulling as if it had been topped up. That’s significantly sooner than a Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency, a Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, and the Jaguar I-Tempo.
It’s additionally extra resilient as every of these three rivals tends to expertise a much bigger efficiency drop-off extra rapidly. Our first move resulted in an ET of 12.1 seconds at 116.94 mph (188.2 km/h). Each different run was a minimum of an 11.535 if not barely faster. Our final run of the day was 11.534 at 118.43 mph (190.6 km/h). Smoking supercars within the EV6 GT is as straightforward as hitting the GT button and mashing the go pedal.
How Was It On The Las Vegas Motor Speedway?
Whereas setting practically equivalent occasions on the drag strip was a simple affair within the EV6 GT, laying down comparable lap occasions on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway exterior highway course was a unique story. The GT makes use of regenerative braking as much as .6-Gs and dietary supplements braking efficiency with the precise 15-inch entrance and 14.2-inch rear brake discs. On observe, modulating that stability took some getting used to.
Stomp on these brakes earlier than a flip and the EV6 GT produces satisfying and highly effective efficiency. It’s nearly too delicate on the preliminary tip-in. Overcook a flip and try some path braking although and it’s a lot more durable to dial in. On high of that, the EV6 isn’t a lightweight automotive. It suggestions the scales at a hefty 4,795 kilos (2,175 kg). All of that mass and the considerably steep studying curve of the braking system implies that a number of laps are wanted to get a correct really feel for creating clear laps within the GT.
What’s nice about it although is that from the second you pull out of the pit lane, it’s enjoyable and largely approachable. The steering suggestions is nice and the one understeer we skilled was as the results of pushing speeds too excessive too deeply into corners. Gradual issues all the way down to the appropriate entry pace and the EV6 GT responds with balanced turn-in and clean steady cornering conduct.
Kia has arrange the GT with its personal bespoke suspension system, electronically managed adaptive dampers, revised spring charges, and re-tuned steering. All of these items assist the GT keep stability at excessive speeds which is nice as a result of it’s going to fortunately pull exhausting above 120 mph (193 km/h). We will’t say that for all of the efficiency EV crossovers on the market.
As soon as snug, you’ll be able to carry just a little extra pace by means of turns by handing over just a little early. The automotive rotates properly after which the true enjoyable begins. It’s supremely good at exiting corners with gusto. After all, it ought to be due to electrical motors and AWD however not like a few of its rivals, the EV6 GT doesn’t dampen the enjoyable when it detects a little bit of wheel spin. It permits the motive force to place the hammer down and that provides to the engagement. Smoky energy slides aren’t out of the query both thanks partly to an digital limited-slip rear differential.
Mastering the efficiency functionality of the EV6 GT on a highway course takes time and follow. It’s nonetheless approachable, similar to the EV6 GT-Line, but it surely’s quick sufficient that drivers have to present it extra respect. We love that stability.
On The Street
What the EV6 GT does on the observe is one factor however we don’t essentially count on to see these items popping up at observe days throughout the nation anytime quickly. The place most will probably be used is on the highway and to that finish, it’s vital to acknowledge that the efficiency functionality of this automotive has introduced with it some actual compromises when it comes to on a regular basis consolation.
Very similar to we discovered within the regular EV6, the final driving expertise may be very refined. The experience although, even in Eco mode is a bit rougher than in the remainder of the lineup. We predict that comes all the way down to plenty of parts together with the 21-inch wheels, the low-profile tires, the GT-specific suspension parts, and perhaps extra. Consequently, it’s just a little louder within the cabin too.
We recommend setting it up in customized ‘My Drive’ mode with every little thing dialed to 11 besides the suspension. Depart that in regular mode. It’s nonetheless sharp and enjoyable to drive but it surely’ll punish you much less when the highway isn’t good. In line with executives at Kia, that’s the way in which that former head of R&D Albert Biermann likes to arrange the EV6 GT.
They known as this automotive his swan music and it’s straightforward to see why. Biermann deserves his fair proportion of credit score for taking Kia from the place it was a few decade in the past and lifted it up into the area the place it now resides from a efficiency standpoint. The N line-up, the Stinger GT, and this EV6 GT all obtained the inexperienced mild partly due to Biermann.
Rivals
The Mustang Mach-E GT might be the closest direct competitor to the EV6 GT however there are tradeoffs on each ends. At its quickest, the Mach-E GT remains to be a few second slower than the Kia in a quarter-mile drag race. Round a observe, the hole is even wider because the Kia advantages from extra energy and a decrease middle of gravity. By way of practicality, the Mustang wins due to additional cargo area and a extra snug experience. On the similar time, the Ford prices extra and costs slower.
Tesla may stack the Mannequin Y Efficiency or Mannequin 3 Efficiency in opposition to the EV6 too. Every of the three has one thing to brag about in comparison with the opposite two. The EV6 GT is cheaper ($61k vs $63+). It’s extra spacious and sensible than the Mannequin 3 however not as fast nor does it have as a lot vary. The Kia additionally doesn’t deal with in addition to a Mannequin 3 Efficiency. It’s sooner than a Mannequin Y Efficiency and less expensive however once more, misses out on the vary equation.
Staking Its Flag In The Floor
Kia didn’t have to construct the EV6 GT. It may’ve continued to concentrate on the quite a few different initiatives that it has within the works. As a substitute, it introduced us probably the most highly effective and best-performing Kia in historical past. No, it’s not an ideal automotive, and Kia might want to proceed refining it to maintain it among the many finest within the enterprise however for now, it’s a real flagship efficiency mannequin that’s additionally a reliable household automotive. It’s just a little rawer and it requires actual ability to hustle it round a observe. It’s additionally priced low sufficient that we critically count on plenty of Ford and Tesla consumers to make the leap to Kia.
