2023 EV6 GT - What Makes It Special?

The Kia EV6 is one of the many celebrated models now build on Hyundai/Kia/Genesis's shared EV platform. We have tested an EV6 in the past, a rear-wheel drive Wind trim, and found it quite nice. However, the EV6 GT AWD is a different animal altogether.

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The EV6GT benefits from the AWD dual motor powertrain Kia offers. It provides 545 lb-ft of torque. That is enough to launch the EV6 from 0-6- MPH in just 3.4 seconds. The 576 hp the vehicle makes at its peak output is enough to propel the EV6 GT to 161 MPH. A very high top speed indeed, and twice any legal speed in America on public roadways.

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If you are going to be traveling at such velocities, one needs a few things. First, you need to be kept in place. For this task, Kia turned to sport seats with firm side bolsters. They are covered in yards of microfiber suede, so you are firmly held in place.

Next, you need to be able to stop. Hyundai adds huge discs, 15.0 in. up front and 14.2 in. out back, to help you do so. Hilariously, Kia says they can stop the vehicle from 62 miles per hour in 141 feet, an improvement of just six feet from the standard, much smaller brakes. The brake calipers are also different, of course, and they are painted lime green. Everyone knows green brakes are better.

Turning is also nice in a GT. To this end, Kia fits larger diameter wheels, 21 inches, up from 21 in lesser EV6 cars, and they are lower profile, 40-series instead of 45. Honestly, turning a car that is just under 5,000 pounds is not really a sporty thing, but on public roads, we felt the EV6 did just fine in this regard.

Enable Sport mode on the options paddle, and the Kia EV6 is a rocket. Straight-line performance tops almost all muscle cars available today. If you are looking for a sporty hatchback EV and have a budget in the mid $60Ks, the EV6 GT AWD is well worth a look.

John Goreham is an experienced New England Motor Press Association member and expert vehicle tester. John completed an engineering program with a focus on electric vehicles, followed by two decades of work in high-tech, biopharma, and the automotive supply chain before becoming a news contributor. In addition to his eleven years of work at Torque News, John has published thousands of articles and reviews at American news outlets. He is known for offering unfiltered opinions on vehicle topics. You can follow John on Twitter, and TikTok @ToknCars, and view his credentials at Linkedin

Images by John Goreham.