2023 Kia EV6 GT AWD
Specs
Class: Compact crossover
Color: Steel Matte Gray
Miles driven: 172
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B+ |
| Power and Performance | A |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | B+ |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 576 horsepower |
| Engine Type | Electric motors |
| Transmission | Automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Battery capacity: 77.4 kWh
EPA-estimate MPGe: 88 city/77 hwy/83 combined
EPA-estimated driving range: 218 miles
Consumer Guide range estimate (ideal conditions): 200+ miles
Snow Performance: N/A
Base price: $61,600 (not including $1375 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($695), cargo mat ($95), floor mats ($175), cargo cover ($150)
Price as tested: $64,090
Quick Hits
The great: Thrilling acceleration, roomy and practical cabin
The good: sporty handling, quiet on the highway
The not so good: Modest range limits road-trip flexibility
Overview
New for the 2022 model year, Kia’s EV6 electric small utility returns for 2024 mostly unchanged. That’s fine with us, at the 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy blends everything that’s good about electric vehicles with everything consumers are looking for in a compact SUV.
For 2024, the EV6 is offered in four trim levels: Light ($43,975), Wind ($50,075), GT-Line ($54,275), and GT ($62,975).
Two batteries are offered, a 54-kWh “standard” battery, and a 74-kWh “long-range” unit. Battery range starts at 218 miles for the high-performance GT, and tops out at 320 miles for the 310 miles for a rear-drive example with the long-range battery. All models come standard with rear-wheel drive, and can be had with AWD, save for the GT, which comes only with AWD.
Horsepower ranges from 167 horsepower on the rear-drive light, to 320 horsepower on most AWD examples. The high-performance GT boasts a monstrous 576 horsepower.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a GT in Steel Matte Gray. Including destination charge and a couple of minor options, our test car came to $64,090.
You can read our full review of the 2022 EV6 GT here, and our impressions of the 2023 here. Today we’d like to share five cool things about the 2024 Kia EV6 GT. Read on…
5 Cool Things About the 2023 Kia EV6 GT
Joy to Drive
This is largely true of all EVs, but especially true of the GV6 in GT trim: the car is a joy to drive. Not only is it quiet, the immediate throttle response reminds you of the best vehicles you’ve spent time with. And, if your old enough, the GV6 may remind you of cars with big V8 engines and simple 3-speed automatic transmissions.
Simply put: The GV6 GT is fast, responsive, and handles well. Upping the joy ante a bit, the car is also responsible, returning all of this driving fun while consuming energy at a slower rate than what we used to call economy cars.
Useful Performance
Immediate throttle response means taking off quickly from a stop, and cutting through traffic with predictable and reassuring precision. Likewise, the GV6 GT powers up highway on-ramps and handles passing maneuvers with incredible ease. If you feel guilty about how much fun this car is to drive, reassure yourself that it also dynamically practical.
Passenger Friendly
Created to be an electric vehicle, EV6 designers took full advantage of not needing to package a gasoline engine, or drive shaft, or exhaust system. The result is a cabin that boasts a flat floor, and lots of airy space.
Despite the EV6’s relatively modest footprint, the electric Kia will host four adults in serious comfort, this without confining footwells or an old-school center hump running through the cabin.
Easy to Charge
With access to the right charger, all Kia EV6 models with charge from a 10-percent state of charge to an 80-percent state in about 18 minutes. Access to an “ultra-fast” 350-kW charger is required. Luckily, the number of charging facilities offering charging at such speeds is on the rise.
Easy to Charge (2)
Kia is one of eight carmakers to uniting to establish a new fast-charging network independent of the systems already in place. The new network, dubbed Ionna, is promised to eventually have in operation 30,000 charging locations, all of which will provide ultra-fast service.
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2024 Kia EV6 GT Pictures
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