The 2023 Kia EV6 GT is shockingly quick however will most likely stay a distinct segment vendor
September 9, 2023 at 10:50
Ten years in the past, it might have been unimaginable that in 2023, Kia can be promoting an all-electric SUV in Australia with a beginning value of AU$99,590 ($64,491) earlier than on-road prices however that’s the day and age we’re dwelling in.
In 2013, Kia’s SUV vary in Australia consisted of the Sportage and the Sorento. The Sportage topped out at AU$39,490 ($25,572) whereas the flagship Sorento may very well be picked up from AU$50,390 ($32,631). Even accounting for inflation, these costs solely rise by roughly AU$9,000 (~$5,800) and AU$12,000 (~$7,770) respectively and for a lot of shoppers, the thought of spending over AU$70,000 (~$45,000) or AU$80,000 (~$51,800) for a Kia nonetheless sounds absurd in 2023. So, can Kia justify promoting its newest and best crossover/SUV, the Kia EV6 GT, for over $100,000?
To assist us reply this query, we had been not too long ago handed the keys to the brand new EV6 GT to reside with for every week.
A Kia that makes little logical sense
CarScoops’ personal Stephen Rivers first skilled the EV6 GT at its North American launch in December 2022, driving it each on public roads, at a race monitor, and on a drag strip. Nevertheless, Aussies have needed to wait somewhat longer for it to reach on native shores and whereas it solely not too long ago touched down, it’s positively been well worth the wait.
The specs of the Kia EV6 GT are one thing that may very well be marveled at for hours. The automotive producer has fitted it with a everlasting magnet synchronous motor on the entrance axle with 160 kW (214 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) whereas a beefier motor on the rear axle offers an additional 270 kW (362 hp) and 390 Nm (288 lb-ft). Mixed, the EV6 GT delivers a stupendous 430 kW (576 hp) and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque. To place these figures into perspective, a flagship Kia Sorento from 2013 had a 3.5-liter V6 with 204 kW (274 hp) and 335 Nm (247 lb-ft). The EV6 GT is double the value nevertheless it does have double the facility.
Offering these motors with their juice is identical 77.4 kWh battery pack discovered throughout a bunch of different Hyundai Motor Group fashions, together with all different EV6 variants in addition to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The E-GMP platform is a sophisticated 800-volt structure and helps 350 kW charging, which means the EV6 GT’s battery may be topped up from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes. In idea, that’s. Extra on that somewhat later.
Learn: The Kia EV6 GT Is Obtainable With A Low cost Of Up To $9,500
There’s a lot extra to love in regards to the EV6 GT. For instance, it will possibly tow as much as 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) braked and has McPherson struts up entrance with a double ball joint design. Kia has additionally overhauled the automotive’s braking system with new 380 mm (14.9-inch) entrance discs, 360 mm (14.1-inch) rear discs, and large inexperienced brake calipers (which look somewhat odd with none branding). As with different E-GMP merchandise, it additionally helps vehicle-to-load capabilities and is supplied with at least 32 Energetic Security options as described by Kia.
Among the many most necessary lively security options embody autonomous emergency braking with automotive, pedestrian, bicycle owner, and junction turning, lane retaining help, lane following help, clever pace restrict help, and excessive beam help. The 2 different EV6 fashions offered in Australia, the Air and GT-Line, are equally as well-equipped however the Air does miss out on Protected Exit Help, Parking Collision Avoidance Help – Reverse, Encompass View Monitor with 3D Mode, and a Blind Spot View Monitor.
A particular cabin
The cabin of the EV6 GT is an actual spotlight, though among the options stunned us somewhat once we first picked up the keys. The largest differentiating function between the EV6 GT and all different variations is the bucket seats up entrance. These seats look suspiciously just like the ‘N Gentle Seats’ launched for the Hyundai i30 N a few years in the past and supply wonderful ranges of lateral assist. They’re trimmed in black leather-based and a suede-like materials and are available normal with shiny inexperienced distinction stitching.
Discovering seats as sporty and uncompromising as these might displease some patrons. Whereas they’re wonderful for sporty driving, they don’t seem to be significantly well-suited to lengthy drives. Moreover, they’re solely manually adjustable and whereas they do supply a heated operate, there is no such thing as a ventilated operate as with essentially the most conventional seats of the EV6 GT-Line. They’re a tick for sportiness however a cross for consolation.
A collection of different alterations are discovered inside. For instance, the suede-like materials of the seats has been carried by means of to the door panels whereas inexperienced distinction stitching can be discovered on the steering wheel. A shiny inexperienced ‘GT’ button has additionally been added to the wheel. Any more, we’ll consult with it because the ‘Enjoyable’ button as a result of that’s actually what it’s.
Learn: Kia EV6 Underneath Investigation For Loss Of Energy
Many of the remainder of the EV6 GT’s inside is an identical to the usual mannequin. This implies there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment show, an excellent head-up show, and an especially spacious second row. On your legs, that’s. The low roof of all EV6 fashions means rear headroom has been compromised for these over 6-foot and even with the brand new entrance bucket seats of their lowest place, headroom isn’t nice for tall drivers.
One factor we discovered somewhat odd is that whereas there are many USB-C charging ports all through, the port it’s essential plug your cellphone into for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a USB-A port, prompting me to purchase a USB-A to USB-C adapter so I may use it. Space for storing is nice with 480 liters (16.9 cubic-feet) on the again which grows to 1,260 liters (44.4 cubic-feet) as soon as the rear seats are dropped. A small frunk underneath the hood gives an extra 20 liters (0.7 cubic-feet) of house.
Thoughts-warping efficiency
Driving a 2,185 kg (4,739 lbs) Kia SUV with 430 kW is simply as absurd as it’s possible you’ll anticipate. That is the kind of automobile that has no enterprise being as fast as it’s and the breadth of its efficiency skills are actually fairly exceptional. We are able to’t start to think about how a lot better the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will probably be.
There are 4 completely different driving modes supplied within the EV6 GT: Eco, Regular, Sport, and GT. In Eco and Regular modes, complete energy output is capped at simply 214 kW (287 hp) and whereas that’s not a lot for a automobile of this dimension, it’s enough. It’s within the Sport, GT, and the considerably secretive Most Energy Output Mode that the EV6 GT comes alive.
In Sport, the EV6 GT delivers 320 kW (429 hp), sufficient to launch the automotive off the road at a depraved tempo. GT mode then unleashes the complete 430 kW and transforms the EV6 GT from a strong performer to at least one that can warp your notion of actuality. Kia says it wants simply 3.5 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) and whereas we didn’t have the chance to time a run, it feels simply as quick as Kia would have you ever consider. It’ll rapidly fling your head again into the headrest and continues to tug strongly effectively past authorized speeds. It’s value noting, nevertheless, that peak energy is barely obtainable if the battery is at over 70% cost. The battery additionally must be heat. In most climates, this isn’t a problem however for these dwelling in chilly areas, Kia has hidden a Most Energy Output Mannequin within the infotainment system that optimizes battery temperature to maximise efficiency.
It shouldn’t come as a shock to anybody that the EV6 GT is fast in a straight line. What impressed us most was the way it handles.
Good cornering prowess however not good
All Kia EV6 GT fashions offered in Australia come fitted with 21-inch wheels and 255/40 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in any respect 4 corners, a welcome improve from the Goodyear Eagle F1 of U.S.-spec fashions. These tires do an excellent job of retaining the EV6 GT caught to the pavement by means of turns. We had been significantly impressed with the immediacy of the automotive’s turn-in and the arrogance it provides you mid-corner. You do need to watch out with the throttle, nevertheless.
In contrast to the traction management system of the Mannequin 3 Efficiency that we drove a number of years in the past that delivered tenacious ranges of grip in all circumstances (together with rain), the traction system of the EV6 GT may be simply overwhelmed. Even with traction management enabled, the tires will simply spin up on damp surfaces if you happen to’re somewhat too keen with the throttle in GT mannequin. Dare to disable the traction management and also you’ll be leaving thick black strains in every single place you go. Kia has additionally given the EV6 GT a devoted ‘Drift’ mode that will increase the quantity of energy going to the rear wheels. It’s utterly unusable wherever apart from on a racetrack or on a non-public highway nevertheless it’s one thing good to inform your mates on the bar, I suppose.
Whereas driving the EV6 GT alongside a mountain highway, I used to be blown away by how a automobile this huge and this heavy can deal with this effectively. Kia Australia’s native engineering workforce has tweaked the suspension set-up to higher swimsuit native roads and it really works wonders, retaining the experience snug whereas sustaining the poise and sharpness of the worldwide mannequin. Physique roll has been stored to a minimal and the brakes are very good, bringing this beast to a cease time and time once more with no noticeable fade.
Nevertheless, driving the EV6 GT rapidly and confidently is troublesome. Whereas it’s vastly succesful, you may always really feel the torque vectoring system shuffling energy between the wheels in the course of corners, making it somewhat unpredictable and unnerving.
Good charging however disappointing vary
Then there’s the charging. As we talked about on the prime of the evaluation, the EV6 GT helps 350 kW charging however in the true world, it truly tops out at a peak of 233 kW and that’s the determine wanted to go from 10-80% in 18 minutes. We had been solely capable of pull a constant 160 kW when charging the EV6 GT from under 20% to over 90% with the speeds slowing all the way down to nearer 65kW after it reached 80% cost. After all, this isn’t a problem for many patrons who may have a house charger put in nevertheless it’s value retaining in thoughts for lengthy journeys.
The vary of the EV6 GT is disappointing. In Australia, it’s marketed with a mixed vary of 424 km (263 miles) however that might be extraordinarily troublesome to realize. Within the U.S., it’s listed as having 331 km (206 miles) of vary and primarily based on our week with the automotive, that appears to be proper on the cash. After all, that determine will lower if you happen to begin to push the efficiency which is extraordinarily simple to do. Consumers with a heavy proper foot will probably be fortunate to realize 300 km (186 miles) between expenses.
Is the Kia EV6 GT value AU$100,000? When you think about the practicality it gives, the exceptional ranges of efficiency, and the putting appears to be like, it makes all of the sense on this planet. We simply want it had extra vary and felt somewhat extra refined when cornering.
