The Kia EV6 GT Won the Title of 2023 World Performance Car, and We Can See Why!
Liv Leigh
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After having spent a week with this little beast, I see why the Kia EV6 GT is such a winner.
The Kia EV6 GT is undeniably sexy. Like the regular EV6, sleek, sharp lines point forwards and angular features hint at speed and performance. But the addition of some performance styling and a whisper of neon green tells the true tale. If you absolutely love to drive, then you’re going to want to slip behind the wheel of the Kia EV6 GT.
Don’t expect soft, cushy seats when you open the door. Instead, the GT welcomes you with high-performance, bucket seats with a ton of side bolstering to keep you firmly in place as you whip around curves. And trust me, you’re going to want to (whip around curves I mean). “It feels just like my old Subaru WRX”, exclaimed my husband, when he first peeled off in the EV6. “It’s got all the firm, fun, responsiveness without the hassle of being a manual, gas car,” he added.
Related: Don’t Let the Kia EV6 GT Electric Car Fool You: It Takes Electric Power to the Next Level
Sporty bucket seats and green accents let you know that this GT means business. Photo: Liv Leigh
Everything About the EV6 GT Feels Performance-Oriented
The firm suspension and nimble handling make even a drive to the store fun and playful. And you almost feel obliged to give it the ride it asks for. When you do, you’ll be rewarded with a spirited drive that’s likely to make you smile the whole way through. Grippy wheels and firm suspension make you feel truly connected with the road beneath you and the EV6 responds to every touch with nimble alacrity.
The sporty bucket seats hold you tightly and make playful driving quite comfortable but I imagine they’d be less comfortable for long journeys. They’re also harder to just hop in and out of than the standard EV6 seats. As an amputee and a left leg driver, I found the bucket seats to be a hindrance to driving cross-legged and it made me wish I could switch them out for the regular EV6 seats. The pedal feel was really smooth and comfortable and the transition between acceleration and brake to be seamless. Because of my disability and damage to my left leg, I often find more performance-oriented cars to be almost too responsive at times, but that was not the case with the EV6 GT.
The Kia EV6 GT is a playful joy to drive. Photo: Patrick Anderson
The Kia EV6 GT is Super Fast and Even has Super Fast Charging
Hitting 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, the EV6 GT is remarkably sporty. Be aware that, in exchange for all this power, the Kia EV6 GT only gets 206 miles to a full charge, which is over 100 miles less than the Wind trim of the Kia EV6. But you still get the super fast 800 volt charging systems which means that you have the ability to DC Fast Charge from 10 – 80% in about 18 minutes.
For me the range is a non-issue for the most part. Plug in at night on my home charger and it’s ready to go in the morning. Road trips wouldn’t be a concern either, unless you want to take those trips when the weather is cold, since electric cars can experience quite a bit of range loss in cold weather.
800 volt charging means that you can go from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes. Photo: Liv Leigh
Living With the EV6 GT for a Week was Addictive
It feels like an electric hot rod, it looks stylish, and yet it can still fulfill all your daily needs while making getting groceries into a fun adventure. There is also plenty of room for passengers. It seats 5, has a pretty spacious trunk with a bit of extra room in the sub-floor and a teensy little frunk for your portable charger.
Dual 12.3 inch panoramic screens make it seem almost as though the entire dash is a huge screen available for your use, but it’s not overwhelming. The tech is clean and straightforward and there’s a ton of it to play with, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, neither is available wirelessly, so you do have to plug in to use those systems. It comes loaded with the Kia Drive Wise Driver-Assist Technology with safety features like forward and rear collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, as well as lane following assist and lots more.
Even when Liv and her husband were dressed up in crazy costumes, the EV6 still got attention too! Photo: Patrick Anderson
The Kia EV6 GT is as Fun as You Are
During our time with this car, my husband and I went to an immersive concert by a Colorado band called Itchy-O, and we complied with the show’s theme by dressing creatively. It’s worth noting that, when we parked and stepped out of the EV6, we received an equal number of comments from passers by about the car as we did our outfits. “Did you dress like aliens to match the car?” one person asked enthusiastically. “Sweet ride!” yelled another. The sleek, modern exterior is echoed by the clean, cool interior. Ambient lights highlight sophisticated finishes and a futuristic and open cabin.
I love how the 360 camera view shows the angle of your wheels. Photo: Liv Leigh
6 Things You Will Love About the Kia EV6 GT
- The crazy fast DC Fast Charging speeds
- The powered moon roof with its opaque cover
- The additional GT Drive Mode and Drift Mode for more playful performance and My Drive Mode to customize even further
- The super sporty bucket seats
- The whopping 576 hp horsepower and 546 lb.-ft. of torque.
- The hi-res 360 degree camera that also shows the turn angles of your wheels!
With only 206 miles of range, the Kia EV6 GT might be challenging in colder climates. Photo: Patrick Anderson
An Award-Winning Fit for the Life you Lead
The Kia EV6 GT is a powerful, playful, sporty, fun drive. It is also a car that has the trunk and passenger space to handle your everyday life. I loved my time in it, and if you get the chance, you will love your time in this award-winning ride.
Disclosure: The Kia EV6 GT was provided for this review; all opinions are my own.