 | Positives: Original and attractive styling, rocket sled quick, excellent sport seats, modern and roomy interior. |
 | Negatives: Lack of steering feel, range sacrifices have to be made in the name of power. |
 | Bottom Line: The EV6 GT is one of the most surprising vehicles to come along in a while, and not just because it's a Kia. Stylish, quick as hell, sporty, and well-made, it's a bargain at its asking price. |
Driving Experience
There's no question that the EV6 GT is a rapid EV. The mere fact that it can go toe-to-toe against the Porsche Taycan in a sprint to 60 is a testament to its power. It's also a comfortable daily driver that feels composed and solid. It's hard to believe Kia, of all manufacturers, makes a performance EV.
Ride Quality: The ride is firm but not jarring in any way. The chassis feels solid, and the shock absorption is good.
Acceleration: Mash the throttle, and prepare to be thrown back instantaneously. The 0-60 time is 3.2 seconds, which is seriously quick. Power is immediate, and it just keeps pulling hard all the way.
Braking: The regen brakes are very good and don't feel spongy or disconnected. They do a great job of bringing the near 5k-pound car to a stop quickly.
Steering: Despite the fact that the steering is numb, there is some effort and solid precision when putting it into a turn.
Handling: Handling is taut for a car this heavy, and we have the low center of gravity and the sports suspension to thank for that.
Technology
The infotainment system in the EV6 GT looks great. There are two big 12-inch screens mated in a single frame and includes a configurable digital instrument cluster and the infotainment/navigation touchscreen in the dash. Its looks fit the EV6 GT well, but it's not the most responsive system. Included are over-the-air updates, voice control, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Infotainment System: We find that although the system looks really good with easy-to-read menus and intuitive operation, the responsiveness is a bit delayed. It's not as quick as Ford, GM, Mazda, or BMW.
Controls: The controls are very good in the EV6 GT. The rotary gearshift works great, as do the steering wheel controls. The climate/audio/nav swappable touch controls take some getting used to, but they're pretty ingenious in their operation. It's a great way to save space, and it's better than most touch control versions we've used.
Styling
It's hard to find fault on the inside or the outside of the EV6 GT. It looks like nothing else on the road, and that's a good thing. It's more of a racy wagon than a crossover, and the curves and cuts are in all the right places. It doesn't look substantially different from the standard EV6, with the exception of the colored brake calipers, bigger wheels, lower fascia changes, and the sport-oriented cabin. It's one of our favorite designs of the year.
Front: The EV6 GT looks wide and aggressive from the front with bulging hood outlines, a meaner lower fascia than the base EV6 and those menacing headlights. The black mirror caps match well with the grille and lower fascia mesh.
Rear: The combination of a racy roof spoiler, LED-trimmed ducktail deck spoiler, deeply sculpted liftgate, and a different lower fascia make the EV6 GT look amazingly exotic from the back end. It reminds us of a modern version of a coachbuilt Alfa Romeo Zagato.
Profile: The proportions are great here, and the sloped roofline is brilliantly executed. The curvaceous fenders, flush door handles, and that upswept rocker panel that transitions to the taillights are excellently done.
Cabin: The modern interior is stunning. From the beautiful steering wheel, linear dash, floating center console, and the sport seats give the EV6 GT a fresh look that befits a modern, quick EV.
Comfort
The interior of the EV6 GT is wonderful. The seats in both rows are top-notch, as is the space, and the ergonomics and materials are truly well done. We think it's one of the best cabins for the money. You can also temporarily ignore the insane power the EV6 GT brings when you realize how much comfort it provides for a family of five.
Front Seats: We loved these seats. Not only are the slathered in comfy and handsome suede, but they're perfectly cushioned and supportive. Bolstering is tremendously good without being suffocating. We don't care if they're manual seats because they're really easy to use.
Rear Seats: There's a smidge over 39 inches of rear legroom, which is huge. That's bigger than many SUVs, and the floor is nicely flat thanks to the lack of a transmission tunnel. The seats are comfortable, and even the middle position is adult-friendly.
NVH (noise/vibration/harshness): the EV6 GT is solid, quiet, and free of most road noise and wind noise. We didn't witness any squeaks or rattles, either.
Visibility: The good seating position and sloping hood provide excellent visibility out the front. Only the rear sides are difficult because of the thick C-pillars.
Climate: The climate system was very good and provided warm air almost immediately. The heated seats also work very well.
Safety
The EV6 is one of the safest EVs on the road, and that's been proven in crash testing. It pretty much nails every category and that's a very good thing for families. It also has a great set of standard safety tech.
IIHS Rating: It earned the Top Safety Pick+ with "good" in every crash test and "superior" in Crash avoidance & mitigation. It even earned a "good" in the stringent headlight category.
NHTSA Rating: Not fully tested. It did earn five stars out of five in the Frontal and Side Crash tests.
Standard Tech: The EV6 GT comes with a slew of tech that includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist & Lane Following Assist, Parking Distance Warning - Forward / Reverse, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist - Reverse, Safe Exit Assist & Highway Driving Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist, Surround View Monitor & Blind-Spot View Monitor, and an Augmented-Reality Head-Up Display.
Optional Tech: None.
Storage/Cargo
The EV6 GT isn't just supercar fast, but it's also family-friendly when it comes to storage and cargo. The cabin is rife with small storage item options that are easy to use and reach, and the boot has a ton of space, complemented by a small frunk.
Storage Space: The lower shelf in the center console is great for small bags, the armrest is capacious, and the cupholders and phone charging tray between the seats are super-convenient. The door pockets in both rows aren't especially long, but they're fairly deep.
Cargo Room: There are also 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 54 cubes with the rear seats folded flat. It's a solid amount of room. It's not as capacious as the Tesla Model Y, but it is larger than the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.
Fuel Economy
Despite the fact that the range is reduced due to the dual motor setup, there's still a lot to like about the car's efficiency. We were able to get 65 combined MPGe but only because we were a bit heavy-footed. Our range was compromised by cold weather, which was not a surprise.
Observed: 65 MPGe / 167 miles miles of range on a full charge.
Distance Driven: 167 miles.
Audio
The Meridian premium sound system comes standard on the EV6 GT, and it sounds great. The bass and clarity are top-notch, and the sound in the cabin is rich and undistorted even at high volumes. We love the fact that it doesn't cost a dime extra.
Final Thoughts
The EV6 GT is really one of the most impressive vehicles we've driven this year. Not only is it great to look at, but it's also a hoot to drive. You can go up against much flashier cars, sports cars, and even supercars, and the temptation to do so is great. It's also an excellent family car if you're willing to give up some range.
Buying Guides 
