At Kia, one of the best instance of EVs being highly effective efficiency vehicles is the EV6 GT, which I test-drove this week for Torque Information. That is probably the most premium model of this automobile, and it’s a 100% electrical compact SUV. When Kia launched this automobile and I reviewed it in 2022, I stated lastly there’s a first rate competitor to Tesla Mannequin Y.Â
The 2024 Kia EV6 GT is extra than simply an electrical automobile; it is a trendy and highly effective trip that makes electrical driving gratifying. With its modern design, spectacular vary, and thrilling efficiency, the EV6 GT stands out in a crowded market. It provides a cushty and spacious inside, full of superior know-how. Whether or not you are commuting every day or embarking on a highway journey, the EV6 GT delivers a easy and environment friendly driving expertise.
Trims and Pricing
The 2024 Kia EV6 provides a spread of trims to swimsuit totally different wants and budgets: Mild, Wind, GT-Line, and GT. The bottom Mild trim supplies a superb start line with important options, whereas the Wind trim provides extra comfort and know-how. For these looking for a sportier expertise, the GT-Line trim provides upgraded efficiency and styling. On the prime of the lineup, the GT trim delivers exhilarating efficiency with its highly effective electrical motors.
The beginning Mild trim of the 2024 Kia EV6 begins at about $43,975 MSRP, whereas the highest GT trim is priced at $64,090 with choices and dealing with included.
I just like the top-spec 576-hp GT and its highly effective efficiency. Nonetheless, I believe most EV consumers are extra focused on most driving vary over most speediness, which anyway you possibly can’t use on US roads.
The Exterior Design
Probably the most placing options of the 2024 Kia EV6 is its futuristic and modern design. Its aerodynamic form not solely seems spectacular but in addition contributes to its effectivity and vary. The EV6’s daring strains, sharp angles, and distinctive lighting signature give it a very eye-catching look.
Whereas the design stays primarily the identical as the opposite variations, the GT model continues to be distinguished by the particular remedy of its grille in addition to totally different fog lights. On the rear, we additionally be aware a distinction within the decrease a part of the bumper. However it’s particularly from the facet that we discover the distinctive 21-inch rims that home fluorescent inexperienced brake calipers. A shade that can be discovered scattered in a couple of locations within the passenger compartment, notably the central console the place the seats.
Motor, Vary and Battery
The 2024 Kia EV6 provides quite a lot of powertrain choices. The bottom rear-wheel-drive fashions are geared up with a single electrical motor, offering both 167 or 225 horsepower. All-wheel-drive fashions include twin electrical motors, delivering both 320 or a staggering 576 horsepower within the high-performance GT trim. Â
With regards to vary, the rear-wheel-drive fashions can journey as much as 310 miles on a single cost. The all-wheel-drive fashions, whereas providing spectacular efficiency, have a barely shorter vary. Â
The EV6 GT is a real efficiency powerhouse. With its 576 horsepower, it will possibly speed up from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.2 seconds. It additionally options upgraded suspension, brakes, and an digital limited-slip differential for enhanced dealing with and cornering skills.
The 2024 Kia EV6 comes with two battery pack choices. The entry-level Mild mannequin makes use of a smaller 58.0-kWh battery, which limits its vary to 232 miles. All different trims, together with the Wind and GT, are geared up with a bigger 77.4-kWh battery.
Whereas the bigger battery pack provides spectacular vary, it is value noting that the high-performance GT mannequin has the shortest vary of the bunch, estimated at 218 miles. Whereas some drivers could also be involved in regards to the EV6’s vary, Kia addresses this with its extremely quick charging capabilities.
The EV6 helps quick charging, permitting it to cost from 10% to 80% in below 18 minutes utilizing a 350-kW DC quick charger. This interprets to including 70 miles of vary in simply 5 minutes. For house charging, the 11-kW onboard charger can totally cost the battery in about 7 hours when linked to a Stage 2 charger.
Inside and Infotainment
The 2024 Kia EV6 GT provides a trendy and spacious inside. Whereas the design will not be as futuristic as the outside, it nonetheless provides a contemporary and driver-focused cabin. The inside encompasses a modern dashboard with a user-friendly infotainment system, a cushty two-tone steering wheel, and ample storage choices, together with a big bin below the middle console.
Regardless of its modern design, the EV6 provides surprisingly beneficiant passenger area, because of its lengthy wheelbase. Each entrance and rear passengers will recognize the snug seating and ample legroom.
The cargo area can be spectacular, with 28 cubic ft behind the rear seats and 54 cubic ft with the seats folded down. Whereas the entrance trunk is smaller than anticipated, it nonetheless supplies further storage for smaller gadgets.
Concerning the infotainment the 2024 Kia EV6 GT encompasses a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that seamlessly integrates with the 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Whereas the system provides a spread of options, together with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wi-fi smartphone charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, the consumer interface and navigation system might be extra intuitive. The infotainment system can be able to receiving over-the-air updates and responding to voice instructions. For audiophiles, the EV6 provides an non-obligatory Meridian sound system with 14 audio system.
The 2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line vs GT. What is the distinction?
The 2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line and GT are two distinct trims, every providing a novel driving expertise.
EV6 GT-Line:
- Look Package deal: Primarily focuses on beauty upgrades like sporty bumpers and inside trim.
- Powertrain and Chassis: Equivalent to the usual EV6 Wind, providing a cushty and environment friendly trip.
EV6 GT:
- Efficiency Focus: Geared up with a robust dual-motor all-wheel-drive system that delivers 576 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. Â
- Accelerates from 0-60 mph in simply 3.2 seconds.
- Distinctive Styling: Options distinctive design parts like inexperienced brake calipers and 21-inch wheels.
- Sporty Inside: Contains performance-oriented bucket seats.
- Improved Vary: For 2024, the GT mannequin provides a barely elevated vary of 218 miles.
In abstract, the EV6 GT-Line is a good selection for many who prioritize model and effectivity, whereas the EV6 GT is right for drivers looking for exhilarating efficiency and a extra dynamic driving expertise.
Maybe look ahead to the 2025 EV6
It seems like Kia is making ready an EV6 refresh in 2025.Â
For 2025, the Kia EV6 is receiving a major refresh. This replace brings a number of enhancements, each inside and outside.
Exterior:
- Redesigned Entrance Finish: That includes a brand new headlamp design and a reworked entrance bumper.
- Up to date Rear: With tweaked full-width taillights.
- New Wheel Designs: Providing a recent look.
Inside:
- Upgraded Infotainment: A bigger panoramic show with a extra user-friendly interface.
- New Steering Wheel: For a extra fashionable really feel.
- Redesigned Wi-fi Charging Pad: For improved comfort.
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Customary options.
- Fingerprint Authentication System: Non-obligatory for added safety.
Powertrain and Vary:
- Bigger Battery: A brand new 84.0-kWh battery pack replaces the earlier 77.4-kWh unit.
- Elevated Vary: The bigger battery will present a barely longer driving vary.
With these enhancements, the 2025 Kia EV6 guarantees to be much more interesting, providing a trendy design, superior know-how, and improved vary.
Key Opponents of the Kia EV6
Journey and Dealing with
The 2024 Kia EV6, notably the GT trim, is praised for its spectacular trip and dealing with. I wish to spotlight the graceful and cozy trip, even on tough highway surfaces. The suspension is well-tuned, absorbing bumps successfully and offering a balanced trip high quality.
The EV6 GT, specifically, has an distinctive efficiency and dealing with. The highly effective electrical motors ship instantaneous torque, propelling the automobile ahead with unimaginable acceleration. The GT’s superior chassis tuning and digital limited-slip differential contribute to express dealing with and agile cornering.
Whereas the usual EV6 fashions provide a cushty and refined driving expertise, the GT trim takes it to the following degree with its exhilarating efficiency and sporty character.
Total, after test-driving this efficiency crossover for seven days, I can says that the 2024 Kia EV6 GT is a compelling electrical automobile that gives a mix of fashion, efficiency, and practicality. With its placing design, spacious inside, and spectacular vary, the EV6 stands out in a aggressive market. Its highly effective electrical motors ship exhilarating acceleration, whereas its superior know-how and driver-assistance options improve the general driving expertise.
Whether or not you are commuting every day or embarking on a highway journey, the Kia EV6 GT is a incredible selection for these looking for an electrical automobile that gives each efficiency and effectivity.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque Information. He based TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing skilled information and evaluation in regards to the automotive trade. He might be reached at Torque Information Twitter, Fb, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has greater than a decade of experience within the automotive trade with a particular curiosity in Tesla and electrical autos.