Road test: 2024 Kia EV6 GT electric car

What is it:

Think of it as an electric Kia Stinger. The Kia EV6 GT is the flagship of Kia’s electric car range, and the fastest vehicle the South Korean brand has produced – so far. 

Price:

From $99,590 plus on-road costs (about $11,000 cheaper than its technically similar sibling the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N). 

Engine:

Two electric motors with peak outputs of 160kW/350Nm (front), 270kW/390Nm (rear) for a combined total of 430kW/740Nm in boost mode (versus the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N peak of 478kW/770Nm).

That’s about 10 per cent less peak power and 4 per cent less peak torque than the Hyundai, however as we discovered the Kia EV6 GT is still phenomenally quick.

Transmission:

Single-speed (as with almost all electric motors). Claimed top speed is 260km/h.

Driving range and battery capacity:

Maximum distance claimed is 424km on a full charge, based on the Kia EV6 GT’s 77.4kWh battery capacity (versus 84kWh battery capacity in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N). 

Our real-world testing was closer to 350 to 400km range using our 130km road loop and driving it modestly. 

On test the average energy use during our time with the Kia EV6 GT ranged from 17 to 20kWh/100km (versus 22 to 24kWh/100km for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N over the same loop).

We suspect the Hyundai’s heavier batteries, grippier tyres and less slippery body shape contributed to the disparity (for the above data we excluded performance tests from energy consumption).

0 to 100km/h (as tested):

The VBox showed a best acceleration time of 3.6 seconds in boost mode, 4.0 seconds in normal mode and 7.1 seconds in eco mode.

While we did extract a 3.45 second time out of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the Kia EV6 GT time of 3.6 seconds in boost mode matches the Hyundai’s time in normal mode.

Emergency braking from 100km/h (as tested):

The VBox showed a braking distance of 38 metres, a touch longer than the emergency braking distance for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (36.4 metres) but still respectable.

The Kia’s front discs are 20mm smaller in diameter and the EV6 GT runs different tyres (Michelin) compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (Pirelli).

Good points:

The Kia EV6 GT is a thoroughly pleasant car to drive and if you’re trying to distinguish it from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N we’d say this.

The Kia EV6 GT is a sports-luxury tourer (with more supple suspension) whereas the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a high-performance electric hot hatch.

Both are comfortable in the daily grind but the Kia has the advantage of a 10 per cent cheaper price and two years of extra warranty (seven years versus Hyundai’s five-year coverage).

The Kia EV6 GT is also very tame in eco mode, where it drives with the ease and mildly brisk-ish pace of a standard Tesla Model 3 or a standard Kia EV6.

But press the Kia EV6 GT boost button and you have 99 per cent of the performance of a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Translation: You can’t lose no matter which car you choose between the Kia EV6 GT and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

Bad points:

Not many to be honest. This is a great car.

Back seat space and back seat head room are a bit tight. 

And it would be awesome if Kia if got its hands on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N shift mode and crazy noises (inside and outside of the car).

Chances are Hyundai will keep this cool tech to itself for a while (if not forever).

What the haters say:

It’s an electric car. It’s a $100,000 Kia.

What the haters don’t understand:

Electric cars can be quick even in their most docile mode. 

Kia has come a long way since your nan’s Kia Rio from the early 2000s.

The Kia EV6 GT marks another massive step up for the brand.

Should you buy one?

If you’re in the market for a classy, fast yet understated electric car with a seven-year warranty, put this at the top of your shopping list.

Also consider:

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Tesla Model 3 Performance (when it eventually returns to showrooms post facelift).