2023 Kia EV6 GT First Look Review: The Power To Surprise

Although defined as a compact crossover, the bold Kia EV6 GT exterior design does a decent impression of mimicking a modern hatchback. It's a distinctive prospect with its floating roof design made possible by blacked-out A-pillars. The bulbous fenders hint at the power of the dual electric motors, and the GT version comes with sportier front/rear fascias, neon accents, and 21-inch wheels which are wrapped in Z-rated Goodyear Eagle F1 tires.

The changes to the exterior emphasize the impression of width, and a rear aero spoiler and diffuser are what most other road users will be seeing as the GT hurtles past slower traffic. Other standard exterior features include LED lighting, auto pop-out door handles that sit flush with the body when not in use, a smart power liftgate, and a power tilt/slide sunroof.

The following no-cost Kia EV6 GT colors will be available for the exterior: Yacht Blue and Runway Red. For $495, you can select Snow White Pearl or Aurora Black Pearl, while Steel Matte Gray costs $695.

The dimensions of the Kia EV6 GT closely mirror those of the regular EV6. A 114.2-inch wheelbase is concealed in the body, which has a length of 184.8 inches. The width is 74.4 inches, and the height measures 60.8 inches.

At 4,795 pounds, the electric Kia EV6 GT is not exactly light, but that's no surprise considering that the battery alone weighs 1,052 lbs.

Kia's most powerful production car yet means business. With dual electric motors, the EV6 GT's specs work out to 576 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque combined. The AC synchronous permanent magnet motors propel the GT from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. To put that into perspective, that makes the Kia quicker than both the Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan Evo, a result that was AMCI-certified.

Those gas-powered supercars will eventually pass the Kia as its top speed is 161 mph, but still, it's remarkably fast by EV standards. To underline the all-wheel-drive GT's performance status, it even comes with a Drift Mode that directs power to the rear wheels for some sideways action. Two new sounds form part of the Active Sound Design system to further add to the fun.

The new Kia EV6 GT crossover rides on uprated underpinnings that include a dedicated sport suspension with electronically controlled dampers. Dynamic damping control provides a blend of sporty handling and a composed ride, while the electronic limited-slip differential sends extra torque to the wheels with the most grip.

Equipped with a 77.4-kWh battery and 800V multi-charging architecture, the EV6 GT boasts some of the fastest charging speeds available in any EV. With a compatible 350-kW charger, the GT's battery can be replenished from 10 to 80% state of charge in under 18 minutes. At 50 kW, that time increases to 73 minutes, while normal AC charging at 11 kW takes seven hours and 10 minutes. According to EPA ratings, the EV6 GT will return 85/74/79 MPGe city/highway/combined, while the range is 206 miles on a full charge. That is well short of its Tesla rival and will likely limit the EV6 GT's appeal.

The EV6 GT can also be used as a power source with Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) with the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) providing 1,900 watts to power everything from recreational equipment to electrical appliances and tools.

This is undoubtedly one of the Korean marque's best cabins. The Kia EV6 GT interior environment is both sporty and elegant, and there is plenty of space for occupants, even those in the second row; here, there is 39 inches of legroom.

Vegan suede covers the Kia EV6 GT's seats, and the front chairs are deeply bolstered buckets with green piping and the GT inscription. Neon accents and a striped motif that is found on the upper dashboard and front center armrest are also unique to the range-topping GT, differentiating the inside from lesser EV6s.

This is a generously equipped vehicle chock-full of the latest technologies. There is a 12.3-inch color panoramic curved display cluster and another 12.3-inch touchscreen interface that provides access to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, HD Radio, and SiriusXM.

A premium Meridian sound system includes front/rear tweeters and a subwoofer, and multiple USB ports front and rear mean that everyone can keep their devices charged.

Comfort and convenience items include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless phone charging. Kia hasn't skimped on safety as the GT comes with a full suite of driver assists like front/rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, automatic lane changing, and a surround-view monitor. In total, the GT has 20 standard active Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The Kia EV6 GT's cargo space behind the second row measures 24.4 cubic feet, and this expands to a useful 50.2 cubes when the rear seats are folded.