Kia and its corporate cousin, Hyundai, hit home runs with the release of the EV6 and Ioniq 5 electric vehicles (EVs). The EV6 has earned several awards in its short time on sale, and it’s one of the most unique-looking vehicles today. To boost buyer enthusiasm for the car even more, Kia has taken the cover off its newest EV6 creation, the EV6 GT. The high-performance EV gets extensive upgrades over the standard model to increase power and improve handling.

The new EV6 rides on Hyundai Motor Group’s shared E-GMP platform, and the automaker says it’s the most powerful production vehicle ever to wear a Kia badge. It features a unique drift mode, which sends power to the rear wheels, and the GT trim comes with unique styling to set it apart from the standard model.

Kia designed the EV6 in various design studios around the world. The automaker says it features a long wheelbase and short overhangs to capitalize on interior space. The vehicle’s design language intends to blend styling cues from nature and items from everyday life.

The EV6 GT gets a unique front and rear fascia that help emphasize its width. It rides on 21-inch wheels with neon brake calipers and has an exclusive rear spoiler and diffuser.

The EV6’s E-GMP platform places batteries low under the load floor, which enables a flat surface inside the vehicle for better interior space and comfort. The standard model gets sustainable materials like vegan leather and recycled plastics. The GT adds vegan suede-trimmed upholstery over performance front bucket seats. Interior neon lights add an exclusive pop of color to the GT, and Kia installs ambient lighting on the door panels, center console, and dash.

The EV6 GT comes with a 160-kW front motor and a 270-kW rear motor that combine for 576 hp and 546 pound-feet of torque. Kia says the robust powertrain enables a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 161 mph. For reference, the dual-motor eAWD variant of the regular EV6 sports 320 hp, so the GT is a notable upgrade over the standard model. Kia claims that the EV6 GT out-accelerated the Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder RWD in independent tests performed by AMCI.

To get that power to the ground efficiently, Kia installs an electronic limited-slip differential, which can shift torque between the wheels with the most grip. The GT’s brakes are larger, too, up to 15-inch discs in front and 14.2-inch units in back. Three unique drive modes come for GT buyers: GT Drive, My Drive, and Drift.

The EV6 GT features the same 800-volt fast-charging capabilities as its predecessor. Its range extends to 206 miles, and Kia says the EV can recover 70 percent of its battery capacity in under 18 minutes using a 350-kW charger.

The EV6 GT gets the same standard safety tech as the standard model, which includes 21 advanced driver aids. Some of the standard features include:

The EV6 comes standard with dual 12.3-inch displays. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, along with wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate controls, multiple USB inputs, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an intelligent key system with push-button start.

Kia provides a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system in the EV6 that allows it to power external equipment and charge other EVs. The system can provide up to 1,900 watts of power, but it relies on the EV6’s batteries, so it’s not an unlimited power source.

The Kia EV6 GT competes against the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, Tesla Model Y, and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is likely its closest competitor in size, price, and performance. The Ford starts at $62,000 and offers similar specs. The Tesla Model Y is a more upscale choice, but it’s in high demand and hard to find, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 does not offer a performance trim (yet).

Kia is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of August 19, 2022, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.

Real insights from real owners

© 2022 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.

© 2019 J.D.Power. All rights reserved.