The Kia EV6 is a very attractive Korean electric car visually, but also technically. It was not for nothing that it was voted car of the year 2022. We had already had the opportunity to test in detail the more civilized version of the EV6 GT at the beginning of the year. We will therefore discuss more in this test the sporty character of the GT version (Grand Touring) by asking a very simple question: is the Kia EV6 GT worth it, and the cost against wiser versions and competition?
Compared to its little sisters, the Kia EV6 GT stands out with a very slightly modified design but, above all, a revised technical part with new larger brakes, more powerful regenerative braking, a more efficient rear engine, and a new suspension now electronically controlled. , a new electronic limited-slip differential, drift mode, and new wider tires.
Let’s take advantage of this test to remind you that Kia has been offering a more affordable, rear-wheel drive version in France for a few weeks, equipped with a small 58 kWh battery. The EV6 GT version takes up the large 77 kWh battery as well as the 4-wheel drive all-wheel drive.
Kia ev6 specs
KIA EV6 GT
| Model | Kia EV6 GT |
|---|---|
| Category | Crossovers |
| Powerful(horses) | 585 horses |
| Powerful(kW) | 430 kW |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 3.5 secondes |
| Level of autonomy | 2 |
| Vitesse max | 260 km/h |
| Apple CarPlay | Oui |
| Android Auto | Oui |
| Main screen size | 12.3 inches |
| Car side sockets | Type 2 Combo (CCS) |
| Length | 4680 mm |
| Height | 1550 mm |
| Length | 1880 mm |
| Entry-level price | 78990 dollars |
This test was carried out during a press trip organized by the manufacturer.
Design
Visually, the differences with the classic EV6 are not necessarily obvious. The car is certainly more aggressive, but it is mainly thanks to the presence of its enormous and magnificent 21-inch rims. The front and rear bumpers have additionally been reworked, and the fluorescent green brake calipers are sure to stand out, as will a new rear diffuser that brings more sportiness to the car’s design. For the rest, the exterior design of the car does not change, and we still find an aggressive line of crossover which will not go unnoticed, with its front end supported by LED lights and its very wide rear.
Inside, the GT ambiance is marked by the presence of suedette bucket seats. These are firm but comfortable. On the other hand, a red card for the absence of electric adjustment. If you are sharing your car, you will then have to manually adjust the seats each time the driver changes. A “feature” worthy of another age that the Korean brand justifies by the impossibility of making the bucket seats electric. Which are, however available in some competing cars.
To accentuate the sporty atmosphere, Kia uses metal inserts stamped with the GT logo as well as fairly discreet green piping. The steering wheel has also evolved and now incorporates two new buttons: one allows you to choose the driving mode (Eco, Normal, and Sport), while the other will switch the car to GT mode.
HABITABILITY
For the rest, we find the same interior as the classic Kia EV6 GT: spacious, functional, and pleasant. There is room for a whole family, except perhaps the middle seat, which is not very comfortable due to a domed backrest. Legroom in the rear is huge, with no center tunnel, despite the driver’s backrest being pushed back to accommodate the driver’s eighty-five meters.
We are, therefore, really in a EV6 GT-type car and not sporty. The idea is to have enough power for reminders or even for a few circuit sessions without compromising on comfort and habitability for daily journeys.
In terms of the trunk, we have a large rear trunk (490 liters) but a very small front trunk (the frunk) of 20 liters because the front engine allows the benefit of all-wheel drive. Indeed, the 2-wheel drive version (with rear-wheel drive) offers a more roomy 52-liter front trunk, as on the previously tested version.
ON-BOARD TECHNOLOGIES
The Kia EV6 GT uses the technological equipment of its less sporty little sisters. We thus find the head-up display in augmented reality, which is more gadget than practical, or the two curved screens of 12.3 inches. The first, behind the steering wheel, acts as an instrument cluster, while the second, in the middle of the dashboard, governs the infotainment.
The system is fluid and rather pleasant to use even if we have known better in the sector. The biggest shortcoming comes from the absence of a route planner, as on the other cars in the range. Specifically, this means that if you enter a distant destination that requires charging stops, the onboard GPS will not take this into account and will not offer you a suitable route with optimized stops.
You will then have to prepare your trip upstream with applications like ABRP or Chargemap, program the route from the Kia Connect application on your smartphone, and send everything to the car… We have experienced better and less stress in terms of planning a trip. Itinerary like at Tesla, Volkswagen, or Mercedes, for example, as we saw in the EQS test.
Indeed, a route planner worthy of the name allows the driver to enter the destination address in the GPS. The latter then calculates the route by proposing the necessary recharge stops, indicating the percentage of battery remaining at the arrival of each stage.
EV6 GT mode does not add any additional technological features to the car. It is thus not possible, like the Tesla Model 3 Performance and its Track Mode, to view and manage the distribution of power, the level of heating of the brakes, or the battery.
We will cease on a positive note by specifying that the Kia EV6 GT is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and has a ventilated wireless charging location.
CONDUCT
During our previous test drive of the Kia EV6, we had a less efficient version in our hands, with 229 hp on the clock all the same. This time, the EV6 GT version and its 585 hp announce a completely different color. And indeed, from the first turns of the wheel and after having pressed the accelerator pedal, the sensations are there: we are literally glued to the seat by the monstrous torque which arrives without warning.
Traction is excellent, and the delirious power of the car manages to reach the wheels without causing them to spin. It must be said that electronic aids are probably no stranger to this. However, we tried the Drift mode, exclusive to the GT version. This deactivates all electronic assistance and sends power to the rear wheels. A very difficult mode to master despite the wet track prepared by Kia for the occasion.
A few quick laps, however, allowed us to appreciate the dynamic behavior of this electric car. Gone are the days when Kia offered cars with questionable design and tasteless driving. Here, the steering is precise, and the braking radical matches the performance of the car. Especially since the regenerative braking is powerful (150 kW), twice as much as on a Tesla Model 3 (about 75 kW) but well below a Porsche Taycan (265 kW).
The Kia EV6 GT is not a sports car, however. It is slightly too high and heavy for exercise, although it still corners flat in curves. However, this was not Kia’s objective, and the bet was, therefore, successful for a GT car.
The suspensions are controlled on the EV6 GT version, unlike the other models in the range, which brings a little more sportiness, but above all, comfort in smoother driving. The car has 21-inch rims, but that doesn’t really show, and road imperfections are filtered out pretty well. We are not in the presence of a firm and low sports type Model 3.
On the open road, the Kia EV6 GT is a delight to drive. Its power and comfort allow you to cruise over long distances without struggling. Air noise is well filtered, contributing to well-being when driving at high speeds. Regenerative braking allows you to come to a standstill (I-Pedal) and, therefore, practice one-pedal driving, leaving the brake pedal completely aside. A little adaptation time is necessary to get used to it because of its power. Note, however, that the latter is adjustable on several levels thanks to the paddles on the steering wheel. Something to delight fans of eco-driving.
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AUTONOMY, BATTERY, AND CHARGING
Having a lot of power is good. But with autonomy, it’s better. unluckily, this is one of the main drawbacks of this Kia EV6 in the GT version. Indeed, it incorporates the same 77.4 kWh battery as its “little” non-GT sister, but with almost double the power. Thus, the theoretical autonomy announced on the WLTP cycle melts, going from 528 to 424 km. It’s still better than the 394 km of the new entry-level version with its small 58 kWh battery, but it’s disappointing on paper.
And in practice, it must be said that the Kia EV6 GT is energy-intensive. This is already the case for the non-GT version, which is not the most efficient in its field, but the additional performance of the GT version and the large 21-inch rims drive the point home. Indeed, the larger the wheel, the higher the fuel consumption.
During our 150 km ride on a mixed route combining town, small country roads, and the highway, we noted a consumption of 21.2 kWh / 100 km. On a 37 km stretch of motorway, traveled at an average speed of 107 km/h (and a maximum of 135 km/h), we noted a high consumption of 24 kWh / 100 km. For comparison, a Tesla Model Y Performance easily falls below 20 kWh / 100 km on the same motorway exercise.
Fortunately, fast charging makes up for the excessive consumption of this EV6 GT. As on its little sisters and its cousin Hyundai Ioniq 5, the 800-volt architecture makes it possible to go from 10 to 80% in just 18 minutes.
We couldn’t check for ourselves, but there shouldn’t be any worries, especially since this GT version introduces a very important new feature: battery preconditioning for fast charging. Indeed, in winter, the first tests of the Kia EV6 GT showed weak charging power due to a battery that was too cold. Preconditioning makes it possible to increase the temperature of the battery in winter when a fast charging station is entered on the GPS and thus take advantage of the maximum power.
According to the load curve published by Fastned, the 239kW of maximum power is maintained until at least 50% load, then decreases gradually. This is better than the Tesla Model Y, which goes from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes. But this is only true on Ionity or Fastned terminals operating at 800 volts.
Finally, as on its little sister, the Kia EV6 GT incorporates (optional) the two-way V2D (Vehicle-to-Device) reverse charging function to deliver 3.6 kW of power to one or more electrical devices. Convenient for camping!
According to the load curve published by Fastned, the 239kW of maximum power is maintained until at least 50% load, then decreases gradually. But this is only true on Ionity or Fastned terminals operating at 800 volts. This is better than the Tesla Model Y, which goes from 10 to 80% in about 30 minutes.
Finally, as on its little sister, the Kia EV6 GT incorporates (optional) the two-way V2D (Vehicle-to-Device) reverse charging function to deliver 3.6 kW of power to one or more electrical devices. Convenient for camping!
PRICE, AVAILABILITY, AND OPTIONS
The Kia EV6 GT is already available to order (but does not yet appear on the Korean manufacturer’s configurator) in France for 78,990 dollars. Production will start in September for the first deliveries in France at the start of 2023. Note that it is not eligible for the ecological bonus because its price exceeds the ceiling of 64,000 dollars.
In front of her, several competitors will prevent her from shining brightly. The first is the Tesla Model Y Performance, sold for 73,990 dollars, with slightly worse sports performance but a much greater range, at 514 km. And above all, trouble-free access to all the Superchargers in the world.
We can also mention the Porsche Taycan, which does not play in the same course with its high access price, at 91,055 euros and performance figures much lower than those of the Korean.
Among the Germans, you have to go for the BMW i4 M50 sedan, which is less spacious, with its 544 horsepower, its autonomy of 505 km, and its close price of 78,750 dollars.
However, the Kia EV6 GT retains for itself, against all its competitors, its 7-year and 150,000 km warranty, which is a real added value. Finally, wouldn’t its biggest rival be the Kia EV6 GT-Line in 4-wheel drive version of 325 hp with its autonomy of 506 or 484 km (in 19 and 20 inches) and its price of 67,790 dollars?
As for the options, we recommend that buyers of the Kia EV6 GT take the heat pump at 1,400 euros (which also includes bidirectional charging) to avoid reducing the autonomy too much in winter due to heating.