2023 Kia EV6 GT AWD: The 576-Horsepower Compact EV

Highlight: The compact EV6 GT rivals many gasoline sports cars, spewing out 576-horsepower.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $62,865 (Base Wind Model: $50,025)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; a tire mobility kit; a tire pressure monitoring system; ABS; an electronic stability control system; a hill-start assist control system; an electronic parking brake; a parking distance warning system; low anchors and tethers for children; a blind spot collision avoidance system; rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist; a lane keeping assist system; a lane following assist system; a driver attention warning system; a smart cruise control system; a rear view camera; a highway driving assist system; a forward collision assist system; and a rear occupant alert system

Standard Equipment (Wind): 19-inch alloy wheels; a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation display system; 168-kW electric motor output; motor driven power steering; a shift-by-wire gear selector; rear wheel drive; LED multi-focus reflector automatic headlights; LED daytime running lights; rear LED combination lamps; an LED high mounted stop lamp; high-gloss black outside power folding mirrors; body-color outside door handles; acoustic film front door window and windshield; privacy glass; a heated tailgate; a roof spoiler; a rear spoiler; a smart power liftgate; a tilt and telescoping steering column; a trip computer; an electric chromic inside rear-view mirror; LED interior lighting; illuminated sun-visor vanity mirrors; an illuminated glove box; cloth roof trimming; LED puddle lamps; carpet flooring; vegan leather seat trim; an 8-way power adjustable driver and passenger seat with 2-way power lumbar support; front and rear adjustable headrests; heated front seats (3-levels); ventilated front seats; an integrated memory seat system; front passenger seat back pockets; reclining second row seats; a vegan leather steering wheel; a dual-zone automatic air-conditioner with a cabin filter; front and rear air conditioning vents; Wi-Fi hotspot compatibility; a wireless phone charger; power driver window; a variety of driving modes; and a push button starter

Standard Equipment (GT): 21-inch alloy wheels; a 430kW electric motor; a heat pump HVAC system; a front and rear electronically controlled suspension; a body color GT design lower fascia bumper; auto pop-out aero flush exterior door handles; a power tilt/slide moonroof; an augmented reality head-up display; an electric chromic inside rear-view mirror; suede seat trimming; a manual driver and passenger seat; and a d-cut heated steering wheel

Options: Carpeted floor mats, GT specific

Other Trim Levels:

GT-Line

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 10-speaker Meridian premium audio system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM radio

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles

Battery Warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles

Horsepower: 576 (GT)

Towing: 2300 lbs

Standard Fuel Mileage:

85e-city/75e-hwy (GT)

135e-city/100e-hwy (Wind)

What’s New: For the 2023 model year, the GT is an all-new addition to the EV6 family.

Why:

GT offers a smoking 576-horsepower

0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds

An engaging driving experience

Offers a drift mode

Styling

An oversized compact which feels more like a midsize vehicle

All-wheel drive

An automatic dual temperature control system with a mode for the driver only – reducing energy usage

A power operated electronic charging door

21-inch alloy wheels with Neon brake calipers

Nearly flat floor adds to the spaciousness of the cabin

A heated steering wheel

Heated front/rear seats

Power sunroof

Power liftgate

Latest safety driving aids

Sports bucket seats

One of the best warranties in the segment

An ability to charge electric bike and other small gadgets for camping or a day trip

A premium audio system

Heads up display system

Firm ride due a tuned sports suspension

Co-pilot assist driving system

A high level of safety of driving aids

A 12-inch digital instrument cluster

Qualifies for a $7,500 EV lease incentive

Automatic open/flush door handles

But:

Could be difficult to find the performance-oriented GT

Hatchback design could impede rear vison

Verdict: Whomever said that electric vehicles had to be dull and boring obviously haven’t been introduced to Kia's all-new EV6 GT. The fully electric vehicle rivals many of today’s muscle cars in terms of power (and style too). In fact, the performance oriented EV6 GT is the Korean brand’s fastest production car. According to Kia engineers, the vehicle zooms from 0 to 60-mph in under 3.4 seconds.

The sporty vehicle, which is based on a rear-wheel-drive platform, rides on 21-inch wheels and has 15-inch and 14-inch front and rear brake calipers, respectively to keep this zero-emission free pocket rocket under control.

The nearest EV competitor to the Kia EV6 GT is Ford’s Mach-E GT. The Kia offers a lower price point and significantly more horsepower. And now that the Kia qualifies for the $7,500 EV lease incentive, its continues to be a bargain.

Outside of the horsepower and the athletic design, which breathes excitement, the EV6 GT we reviewed was outfitted with a host of standard driving aids, a co-pilot assist highway driving system and a premium audio system. Furthermore, the Kia EV had a driving range just a hare over 200 miles. Ford’s Mach-E GT Performance is significantly more, although it has less horsepower.

Overall, we’re smitten with the hot looking EV6 GT AWD. It's definitely at the top of our list in terms of style, power, price, perceived workmanship and driving characteristics.

EV Direct Competition: Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance