The 2023 Kia EV6 GT Is Held Again By The A World That Is not Totally Prepared For EVs

I used to be actually excited to spend a while with the Kia EV6 GT. I learn all of the specs. 576 horsepower. 545 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 in lower than 3.5 seconds. It’s the quickest automotive I’ve ever pushed, however none of that issues. The one factor that issues is I couldn’t drive it with out an excessive sense of dread. I knew that each single time I pushed the accelerator all the way in which down, large chunks of driving vary could be wiped away, and it might not be a simple job to replenish these misplaced miles.

Nowhere I used to be going had chargers, and in the event that they did then they have been gradual or damaged. My house in New York Metropolis doesn’t have chargers, and if I charged at my dad and mom’ home in New Jersey, I’d simply be plugging a very highly effective EV into a daily wall outlet. It’s brutal out right here, of us.

Full Disclosure: Kia was form sufficient to lend me a 2023 EV6 GT with a largely charged-up battery to mess around with for an extended weekend.

All Out In The EV6 GTPhoto: Andy Kalmowitz / Jalopnik

There are three completely different energy ranges on the subject of the EV6: a 225 horsepower RWD mannequin, a 320 horsepower all-wheel-drive mannequin and the GT’s 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. If you’re shopping for the GT you clearly care about efficiency above all else, however sadly, my performance-oriented driving in the EV6 GT was restricted to some twisty corners and a handful of off-the-line pulls. There was additionally a little bit little bit of tail-happiness that occurred on the 86th Avenue Transverse going by means of Central Park, however I can’t converse on that.

For many of my time in the EV6 GT, I used to be plumped squarely in Eco Mode making an attempt to get as a lot out of this automotive’s vary as attainable. It stunk. (The state of affairs, not the automotive.) Even in Eco, the EV6 is a superb automotive. That’s to be anticipated, as its platform mates, the Hyundai Ioniq5 and 6, are additionally nice automobiles. None of that actually issues, although, once you’re fearful about attending to your subsequent cease with some juice left within the battery.

This isn’t a performance-driving evaluate of the EV6 GT. That’s too dangerous, however circumstances simply didn’t enable it to occur. We’ve talked concerning the GT previously, so if that’s what you’re in search of, then head on over to my colleague’s evaluate.

A Vary Of Points

Different EV6 have driving ranges between 252 and 310 miles, relying on how they’re spec’d. Regardless of the way you get your EV6, all of them include the identical 77.4 kWh battery. The GT, with its extra highly effective twin motor setup, has to make do with simply 206 miles of vary. That’s a quantity that I really feel is a little bit bit, let’s say, beneficiant. You’re going to must be taking it fairly simple within the aforementioned Eco mode to hit it. Even so, that offers you about 190ish miles of usable vary earlier than nervousness begins to set in. That’s wonderful should you’ve bought a daily commute, don’t do a ton of different driving and also you’ve bought a house charger. In the event you purchased an EV6, a house charger is non-negotiable. You’re getting one.

Right here’s the rub, although. For a sticker value of $62,865, I used to be anticipating a little bit bit – you recognize – extra. I get it has two huge, highly effective motors, however dammit man. This factor was exhausting. I’ve pushed different EVs earlier than – ones with higher vary and worse efficiency – they usually present a much more fulfilling expertise as a result of I wasn’t stressed the entire time.

A part of that stress additionally comes right down to the loud-as-shit Goodyear Eagle efficiency tires fitted factor. The highway noise took away nearly the entire peace-and-quiet folks often get in EVs. They supply ok grip for this 5,700-pound behemoth round a nook, however at what value?

What this comes right down to is the concept that if you’re going to hook 576 hp value of motors to a battery pack that – within the base automotive – solely must retailer energy for a single engine with 225 horsepower – you’re going to have a foul time. I’m not an engineer, however should you’re going so as to add all that energy, add a little bit little bit of battery capability to assist deal with it. I do know that’s most likely an engineering nightmare, however that isn’t my drawback to cope with.

In the event you take away the vary subject – and what causes them – you’re left with a daily EV6 – the automotive it’s best to really purchase.

Fake It’s A Common EV6

I believe I’ve achieved sufficient ranting, so let’s take a while to have a look at the EV6 GT as a automotive, separate from its vary in GT trim, the EV6 is a superb automotive.

Identical to its Ioniq5 and 6 stablemates, the EV6 is simply concerning the class of the small EV phase. Sitting within the automotive’s cockpit and utilizing its electronics is a much more nice expertise than in one thing like a Tesla Mannequin 3 or Y. The inside has a beautiful mix of that ultra-futuristic vibe you might have considered trying from an electrical car with a wholesome dose of familiarity. Nearly the whole lot is strictly the place you’d anticipate it to be, and should you’ve spent any time in an inner combustion-powered Hyundai or Kia, you’ll really feel proper at house. The entire thing feels very effectively put collectively, even in my press automotive with almost 7,000 miles on the clock. (That will as effectively be 1,000,000 common miles).

The one factor that units the GT aside from different EV6s inside are the sport bucket seats. They appear nice, they usually’re comfortable, however in case you are a little bit chubby within the thigh space, you could possibly really feel a bit squeezed. It’s a small value to pay for efficiency, I suppose.

It comes with some nice little options like blind spot flip sign cameras – which all automobiles ought to have – and the floating middle console which implies you’ll be able to put an inordinate quantity of shit within the entrance passenger space. It’s great. On the subject of measurement, I used to be capable of get a complete Ikea mattress and drawers into this factor with none subject, though it’s not very huge. That’s one profit of getting an electrical automotive – automakers can maximize the house inside.

Step exterior the EV6, and it’s nonetheless a pleasing expertise. This automotive appears to be like cool, full cease. It is probably not to everybody’s style, however I dig it, man. Up entrance, it’s fairly standard, however few automobiles look this cool from the again – particularly with that rear lightbar.

The GT provides you neat-looking 21-inch wheels and lime-green brake calipers. It units the automotive aside, and it lets of us know you’ve bought one thing particular.

Returning To Actuality In The EV6 GT

The automotive’s vary points forestall it from being the particular car it must be, and that’s simply too dangerous. In the event you’re okay with the vary or can cost at house and at work, this automotive is for you. However, should you’re not after 3.5-second 0-60 occasions that eat away at chunks of your battery life, then you shouldn’t purchase the EV6 GT.

All that being mentioned, don’t let my basic distaste for the GT cease you from shopping for a daily EV6, Ioniq5 or Ioniq6. These are all great automobiles, ones that’ll make you content even when they don’t soften your face in a straight line. The EV6 GT had an opportunity to be one thing nice, however as an alternative, it simply made me lengthy for a extra wise electrical automotive.

In the event you’ve actually bought your coronary heart set on the EV6 GT, simply ensure you’ve additionally budgeted for  house charger.