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2024 Kia EV6 GT: Review and 5 Cool Things

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2024 Kia EV6 GT

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2024 Kia EV6 GT

2023 Kia EV6 GT AWD

Specs

Class: Compact crossover

Color: Steel Matte Gray

Miles driven: 172

CG Report Card
Room and ComfortB+
Power and PerformanceA
Fit and FinishB+
Fuel EconomyA
ValueB+
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 GuyA
Tall GuyB+
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 Specs576 horsepower
Engine TypeElectric motors
Transmission Automatic
Drive WheelsAWD

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

2024 Kia EV6 GT

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

2024 Kia EV6 GT

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

2024 Kia EV6 GT

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

2024 Kia EV6 GT

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)

2024 Kia EV6 GT

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.

2024 Kia EV6 GT

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