Modern cars, with all their electronics, have lost some characteristics that used to delight many enthusiasts. For example, the manual transmission (find out here who’s brought it back in electric) or the ability to drift, which disappeared with the handbrake. The Kia EV6 GT is an electric car designed to bring these features back to an extremely high-tech and contemporary car.
It shares only the name and looks with other EV6 models, but it’s an entirely different car. It’s an alternative that, although not for everyone, is much more affordable than most “hyped-up” electric cars on the market. And in many ways, it’s also more fun – and not just thanks to its 585 horsepower and 740 Nm of torque.
Kia EV6 GT: our tops&flops
The Kia EV6 GT is simply stunning. Beautiful to look at, with an aesthetic that I thought might tire after three years but still feels modern – a real aerodynamic flow well represented. Plus, it’s finely finished, with a quality that surpasses many pricier rivals. And it drives excellently: 585 horsepower from two electric motors produces thrilling acceleration and an impressive road presence. You can feel its weight, especially when braking, and while the brake setup looks substantial, it’s not built for extended sporty driving on the track like its cousin, the Ioniq 5 N. But Drift Mode makes everything even more fun. The only downside is the range – just over 400 km (far less if you’re always pushing it) – though the 800-volt system with 15-minute charging helps offset this.
What We Like
- Thrilling acceleration
- Comprehensive, purist setup
- Quick charging
What We Don’t Like
- Range could be higher
- Brakes aren’t too sporty
- Outdated infotainment
Prices in Scandinavia
Kia EV6 GT, breathtaking to drive
Step into the car, buckle up, enjoy the unexpected comfort of the sporty seats with integrated headrests, and press the GT button. Hard to miss in its lime green against dark gray interiors. Then, disable the ESC – it’s time to drift (but only where space allows).
Of course, you need the skill, and your tires will suffer, even though they’re the excellent Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, specially designed for it. But yes, the car can actually do it, thanks to the e-LSD, the electronic limited-slip differential, which allows the car to lose grip only with these parameters. It’s impressive how it seems to dance lightly, more like a butterfly than an elephant, despite weighing over 2.1 tons.
While it wasn’t built as a track car like the Ioniq 5 N, with its extreme customization, the Kia EV6 GT – launched well before as the first sporty expression on the e-GMP platform – shows heavy input from its engineers. For instance, the front suspension is 9% softer, and the rear is 11% stiffer. The car is 5 mm lower, with dedicated, electronically controlled suspension and semi-active damper management.
The steering tuning is also new, stiffer yet balanced and more precise. The braking system has larger discs, growing from the base EV6’s 345 mm to 380 mm at the front and 360 mm at the rear, proudly visible through the slim “Z”-spoke wheels with lime green accents.
More Grand Tourer than sports car
The rear section has received the most technical upgrades. Along with the suspension, the rear motor’s power has been increased. While the front motor remains at 218 hp, the rear one rises to 367 hp, bringing total power to 585 hp. The power is always felt – only slightly tamed in Eco mode – but in GT mode, you’ll notice the car’s “nervous” transformation, with immediate pedal response and an incredible 3.5-second sprint to a top speed of 260 km/h, a figure reserved for only a few electric cars.
Switching off Drift Mode, you can also appreciate the impeccable road grip. It remains more of a grand tourer, a road-going sports car, and less of a track car, as the high driving position and brakes aren’t designed for prolonged sporty driving sessions.
Likewise, its weight shows a disadvantage on tight corners, where the stiffer setup reduces stability. In short, it’s more of a toy (and what a toy!).
Sharp, but with an angrier look
Aesthetically, the Kia EV6 GT retains the sleek silhouette of the base model with sportier details highlighting its dynamic DNA. The custom front grille gives it a fiercer look, and the revised rear bumper, combined with 21-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin tires (255/40 ZR 21), makes it truly special.
The interior matches its sporty character, with microfiber sport seats with acid green accents, a sporty steering wheel, and illuminated dashboard details. Yet, even with its stiffer, sportier setup, it remains practical: there’s a 3.5 kW outlet for laptops or other devices under the rear seat, and a small frunk for storing the charging cable.
On the tech side, the Kia EV6 GT features a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and an equally large touchscreen, though it still lacks wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as it uses the older infotainment system. The facelift should add the newer system seen on the EV9 and EV3, with wireless smartphone integration.
Kia’s Highway Drive Assist II makes long highway trips safe and comfortable.
Charging saves the day
Talking about range, it has the same 77.4 kWh battery as the GT-Line version, soon to be replaced by an 84 kWh unit.
With all this power, the WLTP-rated range is 424 km, which is unrealistic if you’re always in GT mode, though you get closer to it in Normal mode. In Eco, you could even touch 500 km in the city.
While highway range at 130 km/h reaches about 280 km, the 800-volt system is a great ally, recovering 80% charge in just over 15 minutes, enabling long trips with few compromises.
