2023 Kia EV6 GT First Drive Review: Kia's 576-hp mack
LAS VEGAS - This is the e-GMP car we've been waiting for. As impressive as the Hyundai trio of the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Genesis GV60 is, we always knew something bigger (and more powerful) was lurking in the future: the 576-hp 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Despite the stunning architecture, unique design, distinctive interiors and the value of many of them, none of them can be called funerary in the traditional sense. They are heavy, a bit soft and of high quality. Now that the EV6 GT is finally here, does it really provide the missing stuff?
If it does, you'll do it stealthily, as it's almost impossible to tell the GT apart from another GT-Line (you can see how that differs visually from the base Windsor trim level here). The body is identical except for slightly different grille inserts and the rear diffuser panel. You get 21-inch wheels and lime green brake calipers, which are monoblock units that accommodate larger rotors (measuring 15 inches in the front and 14.2 inches in the rear). The cabin is similar to the GT Line, although it now has lime green accents and "GT" badging. The steering wheel also has a large green button with "GT" written on it, which selects the most aggressive driving mode. We'll get into that in a minute.
The main difference is the addition of sport bucket seats, which are a massive improvement over the standard EV6 seats in terms of overall support. The big sturdy supports hug you in, but not too tight to be unpleasant for those with larger builds (I'm about 300lbs for reference). They have deeper lower sections that provide better support for the thighs. It is also heated, but, unfortunately, it can only be adjusted manually. That's an issue for a car that costs more than $60,000 and for range-topping Kia, a company that prides itself on stuffing its cars with affordable features. While I might happily trade in power controls for better-shaped seats as I do in a Mustang or Porsche, how upset would it be that the range-topping Kia EV6 lacks a common feature found in the $23,000 Soul?