I used to be actually excited to spend a while with the Kia EV6 GT. I learn all of the specs. 576 horsepower. 545 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 in lower than 3.5 seconds. It’s the quickest automobile I’ve ever pushed, however none of that issues. The one factor that issues is I couldn’t drive it with out an excessive sense of dread. I knew that each single time I pushed the accelerator all the way in which down, enormous chunks of driving vary can be wiped away, and it could not be a straightforward activity to replenish these misplaced miles.
Nowhere I used to be going had chargers, and in the event that they did then they had been gradual or damaged. My residence in New York Metropolis doesn’t have chargers, and if I charged at my dad and mom’ home in New Jersey, I’d simply be plugging a extremely highly effective EV into a daily wall outlet. It’s brutal out right here, of us.
Full Disclosure: Kia was form sufficient to lend me a 2023 EV6 GT with a largely charged-up battery to mess around with for a protracted weekend.
All Out In The EV6 GTPhoto: Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik
There are three totally different energy ranges in relation to the EV6: a 225 horsepower RWD mannequin, a 320 horsepower all-wheel-drive mannequin and the GT’s 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. If you’re shopping for the GT you clearly care about efficiency above all else, however sadly, my performance-oriented driving in the EV6 GT was restricted to some twisty corners and a handful of off-the-line pulls. There was additionally somewhat little bit of tail-happiness that occurred on the 86th Road Transverse going by means of Central Park, however I can’t converse on that.
For many of my time in the EV6 GT, I used to be plumped squarely in Eco Mode making an attempt to get as a lot out of this automobile’s vary as attainable. It stunk. (The state of affairs, not the automobile.) Even in Eco, the EV6 is a good automobile. That’s to be anticipated, as its platform mates, the Hyundai Ioniq5 and 6, are additionally nice vehicles. None of that basically issues, although, while you’re apprehensive about attending to your subsequent cease with some juice left within the battery.
This isn’t a performance-driving overview of the EV6 GT. That’s too unhealthy, however circumstances simply didn’t permit it to occur. We’ve talked in regards to the GT up to now, so if that’s what you’re in search of, then head on over to my colleague’s overview.
A Vary Of Points
Different EV6 have driving ranges between 252 and 310 miles, relying on how they’re spec’d. Regardless of the way you get your EV6, all of them include the identical 77.4 kWh battery. The GT, with its extra highly effective twin motor setup, has to make do with simply 206 miles of vary. That’s a quantity that I really feel is somewhat bit, let’s say, beneficiant. You’re going to need to be taking it fairly simple within the aforementioned Eco mode to hit it. Even so, that provides you about 190ish miles of usable vary earlier than nervousness begins to set in. That’s nice in case you’ve acquired a daily commute, don’t do a ton of different driving and also you’ve acquired a house charger. If you happen to purchased an EV6, a house charger is non-negotiable. You’re getting one.
Right here’s the rub, although. For a sticker value of $62,865, I used to be anticipating somewhat bit – you already know – extra. I get it has two massive, highly effective motors, however dammit man. This factor was exhausting. I’ve pushed different EVs earlier than – ones with higher vary and worse efficiency – they usually present a much more pleasing expertise as a result of I wasn’t stressed the entire time.
A part of that stress additionally comes right down to the loud-as-shit Goodyear Eagle efficiency tires fitted factor. The street noise took away virtually the entire peace-and-quiet folks normally get in EVs. They supply ok grip for this 5,700-pound behemoth round a nook, however at what value?
What this comes right down to is the concept that if you’ll hook 576 hp price of motors to a battery pack that – within the base automobile – solely must retailer energy for a single engine with 225 horsepower – you’re going to have a nasty time. I’m not an engineer, however in case you’re going so as to add all that energy, add somewhat little bit of battery capability to assist address it. I do know that’s in all probability an engineering nightmare, however that isn’t my downside to take care of.
If you happen to take away the vary subject – and what causes them – you’re left with a daily EV6 – the automobile you must truly purchase.
Fake It’s A Common EV6
I feel I’ve carried out sufficient ranting, so let’s take a while to take a look at the EV6 GT as a automobile, separate from its vary in GT trim, the EV6 is a good automobile.
Identical to its Ioniq5 and 6 stablemates, the EV6 is simply in regards to the class of the small EV section. Sitting within the automobile’s cockpit and utilizing its electronics is a much more nice expertise than in one thing like a Tesla Mannequin 3 or Y. The inside has a stunning mix of that ultra-futuristic vibe you might have considered trying from an electrical automobile with a wholesome dose of familiarity. Nearly every little thing is strictly the place you’d anticipate it to be, and in case you’ve spent any time in an inside combustion-powered Hyundai or Kia, you’ll really feel proper at house. The entire thing feels very nicely put collectively, even in my press automobile with almost 7,000 miles on the clock. (Which will as nicely be 1,000,000 common miles).
The one factor that units the GT aside from different EV6s inside are the sport bucket seats. They give the impression of being nice, they usually’re comfortable, however in case you are somewhat chubby within the thigh space, you might really feel a bit squeezed. It’s a small value to pay for efficiency, I suppose.
It comes with some nice little options like blind spot flip sign cameras – which all vehicles ought to have – and the floating middle console which implies you may put an inordinate quantity of shit within the entrance passenger space. It’s fantastic. On the subject of dimension, I used to be capable of get a whole Ikea mattress and drawers into this factor with none subject, though it’s not very massive. That’s one profit of getting an electrical automobile – automakers can maximize the area inside.
Step exterior the EV6, and it’s nonetheless a pleasing expertise. This automobile appears to be like cool, full cease. It might not be to everybody’s style, however I dig it, man. Up entrance, it’s fairly standard, however few vehicles look this cool from the again – particularly with that rear lightbar.
The GT offers you neat-looking 21-inch wheels and lime-green brake calipers. It units the automobile aside, and it lets of us know you’ve acquired one thing particular.
Returning To Actuality In The EV6 GT
The automobile’s vary points stop it from being the particular automobile it must be, and that’s simply too unhealthy. If you happen to’re okay with the vary or can cost at house and at work, this automobile is for you. However, in case you’re not after 3.5-second 0-60 occasions that eat away at chunks of your battery life, then you shouldn’t purchase the EV6 GT.
All that being mentioned, don’t let my common distaste for the GT cease you from shopping for a daily EV6, Ioniq5 or Ioniq6. These are all fantastic vehicles, ones that’ll make you cheerful even when they don’t soften your face in a straight line. The EV6 GT had an opportunity to be one thing nice, however as an alternative, it simply made me lengthy for a extra smart electrical automobile.
If you happen to’ve actually acquired your coronary heart set on the EV6 GT, simply be sure you’ve additionally budgeted for a superb house charger.
2023 Kia EV6 GT AWD Specs
Transmission/Drive
Computerized