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 solely 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 best way down, big chunks of driving vary can be wiped away, and it will not be a simple job to replenish these misplaced miles.
Nowhere I used to be going had chargers, and in the event that they did then they have been sluggish or damaged. My condominium in New York City doesn’t have chargers, and if I charged at my mother and father’ home in New Jersey, I’d simply be plugging a extremely highly effective EV into an everyday 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 principally charged-up battery to mess around with for an extended weekend.
All Out In The EV6 GTPhoto: Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik
There are three completely 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 a little bit little bit of tail-happiness that occurred on the 86th Street Transverse going by way of Central Park, however I cannot communicate on that.
For most of my time in the EV6 GT, I used to be plumped squarely in Eco Mode attempting to get as a lot out of this automobile’s vary as doable. It stunk. (The scenario, 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 automobiles. None of that basically issues, although, once you’re nervous about attending to your subsequent cease with some juice left within the battery.
This just isn’t a performance-driving evaluate 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 previously, so if that’s what you’re on the lookout for, then head on over to my colleague’s evaluate.
A Range Of Issues
Other EV6 have driving ranges between 252 and 310 miles, relying on how they’re spec’d. No matter 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 a little bit 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 superb if you happen to’ve obtained an everyday commute, don’t do a ton of different driving and also you’ve obtained a house charger. If to procure an EV6, a house charger is non-negotiable. You’re getting one.
Here’s the rub, although. For a sticker worth of $62,865, I used to be anticipating a little bit bit – – 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 fulfilling expertise as a result of I wasn’t wired the entire time.
Part of that stress additionally comes all the way down to the loud-as-shit Goodyear Eagle efficiency tires fitted factor. The highway noise took away virtually the entire peace-and-quiet folks often get in EVs. They present adequate grip for this 5,700-pound behemoth round a nook, however at what value?
What this comes all the way down to is the concept that if you will 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 foul time. I’m not an engineer, however if you happen to’re going so as to add all that energy, add a little bit little bit of battery capability to assist address it. I do know that’s most likely an engineering nightmare, however that isn’t my downside to cope with.
If you’re taking away the vary problem – and what causes them – you’re left with an everyday EV6 – the automobile you need to truly purchase.
Pretend It’s A Regular EV6
I feel I’ve carried out sufficient ranting, so let’s take a while to have a look at the EV6 GT as a automobile, separate from its vary in GT trim, the EV6 is a good automobile.
Just like 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 Model 3 or Y. The inside has a beautiful mix of that ultra-futuristic vibe it’s your decision from an electrical car with a wholesome dose of familiarity. Just about every part is strictly the place you’d count on it to be, and if you happen to’ve spent any time in an inner combustion-powered Hyundai or Kia, you’ll really feel proper at house. The entire factor feels very properly put collectively, even in my press automobile with practically 7,000 miles on the clock. (That could as properly be 1,000,000 common miles).
The solely factor that units the GT other than different EV6s inside are the sport bucket seats. They look nice, they usually’re cozy, however if you’re a little bit chubby within the thigh space, you could possibly really feel a bit squeezed. It’s a small worth to pay for efficiency, I assume.
It comes with some nice little options like blind spot flip sign cameras – which all automobiles ought to have – and the floating heart console which suggests you possibly can put an inordinate quantity of shit within the entrance passenger space. It’s great. On the subject of dimension, I used to be capable of get a complete Ikea mattress and drawers into this factor with none problem, despite the fact that it’s not very massive. That’s one profit of getting an electrical automobile – automakers can maximize the house inside.
Step exterior the EV6, and it’s nonetheless a nice expertise. This automobile appears to be like cool, full cease. It is probably not to everybody’s style, however I dig it, man. Up entrance, it’s fairly typical, however few automobiles look this cool from the again – particularly with that rear lightbar.
The GT provides you neat-looking 21-inch wheels and lime-green brake calipers. It units the automobile aside, and it lets of us know you’ve obtained one thing particular.
Returning To Reality In The EV6 GT
The automobile’s vary points stop it from being the particular car it ought to be, and that’s simply too unhealthy. If you’re okay with the vary or can cost at house and at work, this automobile is for you. But, if you happen to’re not after 3.5-second 0-60 instances 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 basic distaste for the GT cease you from shopping for an everyday EV6, Ioniq5 or Ioniq6. Those are all great automobiles, 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 a substitute, it simply made me lengthy for a extra smart electrical automobile.
If you’ve actually obtained 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
Automatic
Source: jalopnik.com