2023 Kia EV6 GT challenges strong rivals
It wasn’t too long ago when vehicles from Hyundai and Kia still elicited odd responses from new car buyers. But the related South Korean manufacturers’ vehicles have been value-priced, mechanically impressive and welldesigned automobiles for years.
Further proof arrived when the Hyundai Genesis ended its tenure as a luxury sedan in 2016 and morphed into the stand-alone Genesis G80. With other models, the Genesis brand continues to gather industry awards and top rankings among industry analysts and watchdog publications.
Kia, partially owned by Hyundai, has also had success, including its latest offering, the 2023 Kia EV6 GT. It’s another reason car buyers should consider the once frowned upon carmakers when recommendations are offered. The brands earned three of the top four rankings in 2022 in a three-year ownership reliability study presented by J.D. Power, the Californiabased data analytics company.
One model year ago, Kia unveiled the EV6 crossover lineup in Light, and GT trims. The entry-level Light didn’t sell well with limited features and a margin range and was discontinued.
The flagship EV6 GT had front
and rear electric motors and adaptive suspension defines performance. It powers from 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds and is the lineup’s most expensive offering. The MSRP is $61,400. With its $1,295 destination charge, the tally is $62,695.
For the EV tech junkies, the topline EV6 GT utilizes 60-kW front AC synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor and a 270-kW rear AC synchronous permanent-magnet electric motor for a combined 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. The EPA-estimated range is sub-par 206 miles.
In more common parlance, the EV6 GT is a wonder. Its stylish, sharp-angled, yet contoured exterior is matched with a spacious, welldesigned interior. The manufacturer lists its top speed at 161 miles per hour. It’s a quiet driver, without a common EV trait, a constant whine.
Yes, it’s a Kia. And, yes, any perception of what the South Korean carmaker may have once offered is gone.
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