Don’t Let the Kia EV6 GT Electric Car Fool You: It Takes Electric Power to the Next Level
Scotty Reiss
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It’s fast, fun and silently fabulous.
It looks just like its powerful–but not this powerful–identical sibling, the EV6. So, look carefully before signing up for this top-of-the-line GT version. Because it’ll whip you around with its head-spinning torque (545) and horsepower (576). It’ll hold you close with its bolstered, microsuede sport seats (that can accommodate a 5-point racing harness). On the track, you’ll need a helmet.
And it’ll set off your panic response in drift mode. The addition of “GT” to the Kia EV6 GT (not to be confused with the GT-Line, which is a less powerful trim level), priced at $61,400, takes this electric car, and the brand that dreamed and built it, to new heights.
The driver’s seat in the Kia EV 6 GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
This Builds on An Already Impressive EV6
When Kia introduced the EV6 a few years ago, it was already a departure in terms of design and performance. A crossover-sized hatchback, it has one of the fastest internal charging systems allowing it to replenish the battery up to 80% in as little as 18 minutes (depending on the power of the charger).
EV6 models are offered with rear-wheel drive, 225 horsepower and 310 miles of range, or all-wheel drive with 320 horsepower and 282 miles of range (which is what most of its trim models feature). And with wide rear seats, an innovative interior design and lots of luxuries and technology, buyers have been lining up to check out the EV6. Kia executives were even a bit surprised by the level of excitement potential buyers showed when they revealed the GT model at The Quail during Monterey Car Week, a gathering of car collectors and fast-car driving enthusiasts.
Related: The First Ever Kia EV6 is the Electric Car You’ve Been Waiting For
Lime green racing brakes on the Kia EV 6 GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Taking the EV6 to the Next Level: GT
Then came the GT. By increasing the power of both the front and rear motors—power in the front motor more than doubled—Kia was able to increase overall horsepower to 576 and torque output to 545—which is a lot for a compact crossover like this. Then, the brand’s engineers tinkered with the software and drive systems to allow the GT to maximize its power for track driving, or to push the power to the rear tires for true performance driving such as drifting or a drag-strip style launch.
They did what most electric car makers are doing: take the capability of all that power and turn it into a race car. They can do it; why shouldn’t they?
Related: The 2023 Kia Niro Delivers Top-Drawer Tech and the Joy of Electric Driving at a Very Approachable Price
The front end of the Kia EV 6 GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Who This Car is For
- Buyers who want the latest, greatest thing
- Buyers who may consider a Tesla Model Y, Porsche Taycan, Mustang Mach-E GT or Audi e-tron GT
- People who fully intend to drive on a track or take on curvy, hilly, challenging roads
- Drivers who love the instant torque and incredible power that electric cars deliver
- Drivers who want the best of both: Electric power in a performance experience
- Buyers who need a spacious rear seat and cargo area for people and stuff— though, not on the track.
Related: Is An Electric Car Right For You? Why an EV Might a Girl’s Perfect Car
The front seat in the Kia EV 6 GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
What You Need to Know
- The Kia EV6 GT has a 206 mile range, which is about 76 fewer miles to a charge than the Wind and GT line AWD models
- Sport seats are standard and heated but not electric (which can be typical for a sports car) or vented
- Like other EV6 models, it can charge to 80% in about 18 minutes at a DC fast charger
- All-wheel drive is standard
- Lime green accents denote the GT model
- Many luxury details are standard including sport seats, microsuede upholstery, head-up display and premium sound
- This is the priciest EV6 Kia builds
- Kia is very, very proud of its 0-60 performance, which it pegs at 3.4 seconds and boasts is faster than the Tesla Y or Mustang Mach-E GT
Related: Charging an Electric Car is as Easy as 1, 2, 3
No, the helmet is not a prop; we really drove the Kia EV6 GT on the track. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The EV6 GT Track Experience: Performance, Evolved
I was thrilled to be among the first to put this car to the test on the track. But I was also surprised. It was unlike other track experiences in many ways. The EV6 GT, for its light, silent drive, takes more driver adjustment and requires you to be a bit speedier, too. We went out with a pro driver around the road course at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Then, we tried out wheel spin tests on a short course in the parking lot.
At first, the EV6 caught me by surprise on the track. Normally, you’ll have a split second or two to adjust your focus as the car’s engine gathers its power. Not here. The second you stomp the accelerator the EV6 GT takes off. It took me a bit to find my drive line, apexes and turn-in points, even though they are (thankfully) marked with cones. I had to adjust for the time it takes to focus my eyes and my mind because the EV6 responds so fast.
Nicely, the EV6 GT is light and quiet. This required another adjustment in my drive expectations. Normally, on a track you feel the weight of the car under you, and there’s a physicality to the power in your hands. Not here. You can relax back in the seat and let your hands do all the work while the bolster sport seats hold you firm.
Racing seats in the Kia EV 6 GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Learning to Drift and Slide in the Kia EV6 GT
After a few laps around the track, it was time to turn off traction control and let the wheels spin, another anomaly for typically traction-gripping all-wheel drive cars.
This one took me a while to learn, too, though it always does since my instinct as a driver is to not let the wheels spin and keep the car in control. But what fun is that on a course like this?
Matt, my drive coach, instructed me to put the car into Drift Mode by pressing the GT mode button, holding the stability control button to disable it, then pulling both paddles at the same time until the Drift Mode light appears on the dashboard. This means that the car is now fully rear-wheel drive. You’re able to spin the rear tires while turning the front tires for full drifting effect. It took me a few tries, but I got it, and it’s a lot of fun.
Legroom in the rear seat of the Kia EV 6 GT wows. Photo: Scotty Reiss
What This Car Costs
$61,400. That’s it. You can add floor mats for $170, and destination and delivery, a non-negotiable charge, is $1,295. That brings the total MSRP of our test model to $62,865 with everything included.
What do you get for that? Here’s the list:
- Dual motor all-wheel drive
- GT lime green racing brakes
- Head up display
- Onboard generator with V2L capacity
- Kia Drive Wise advanced driver assist and safety systems, which includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist
- Single pane screen with driver information display and multimedia system, collision avoidance
- Wireless phone charger
- Heated front sport bucket seats and heated rear seats
- Premium sound
- 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty
The front end of the Kia EV 6 GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The Kia EV6 GT on the Road: What You Need to Know
The great thing about cars like this—those that take a normal car and beef it up with lots of power but not lots of flashy details— is that they make a great car for daily driving and add power and muscle for the times you want it.
The EV6 GT has seating for five and ample head and leg room in the rear seat. It’s great for adding kids’ car seats. Additionally, there’s a flat rear floor for your dog.
The cargo area is wide and sizable, with enough room for all your gear, strollers, golf clubs or the Costco haul.
On-the-road drivers will love the added power and one-pedal driving that electric cars are so notable for. On a twisty, curvy road, the EV6 GT is even more fun. AWD helps it stick to the curves nicely and has no hesitation picking up speed at just a nudge of the accelerator, even on a hill. In traffic, the car’s adaptive cruise system lets you relax and let the car worry about annoying stop-and-go traffic.
If you’re going for the top-of-the-line EV6, the GT delivers a lot more for just a little more cash ($4,000 more than the GT-Line to be exact). For drivers who want all the performance of a world-class speedster, the Kia EV6 GT delivers beautifully in an under-the-radar less-cash, less-flash way.
Disclosure: I was Kia’s guest for this test drive; all opinions are my own
A rear view of the Kia EV 6 GT. Photo: Scotty Reiss