The electric vehicle revolution is well underway and there are plenty of great choices out there. Among all-wheel-drive-capable electric SUVs, the 2023 Kia EV6 has you covered if you're looking for style and performance. It benefits from a sleek exterior and sharp handling and delivers as much as 310 miles on a single charge, according to EPA estimates.
For 2023, the much-anticipated high-performance GT model debuts at the top of the EV6 lineup. With 576 horsepower, it's the most powerful production vehicle Kia has ever made, and it should accelerate to 60 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the lineup, last year's base Light trim has been discontinued. That's fine by us since the previous midrange Wind trim is our pick for most people.
Among all-electric SUVs in the class, the 2023 Kia EV6 remains one of our favorites. Notably, it's related to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Both models share much of the same EV hardware, so your choice will probably come down to your styling preference. The Audi Q4 e-tron, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y are also worth checking out. The EV6 has its own set of advantages and drawbacks compared to these alternatives, as highlighted in our Expert Rating below. It's one of the sportier choices of the bunch and is an excellent pick if your tastes trend toward excitement.
The 2023 Kia EV6 is a compact EV that is part crossover and part hatchback. The EV6 is sold in three trim levels: Wind, GT-Line and GT. All models draw power from a 77.4-kWh battery pack with different power outputs and drive configurations. Keep reading for our rundown of the EV6's power, range and features.
The EV6 shares a lot of its platform with the related Hyundai Ioniq 5, with similar figures for power and range. The Ioniq 5 has a more affordable base trim with reduced power and range, while the EV6 offers the high-performance GT. Overall they're very close rivals, but the Ioniq 5 holds an advantage with its more comfortable ride.
Both the EV6 and Mustang Mach-E have distinctive body styles that blend SUV and hatchback elements. The Mach-E has a couple of advantages, such as more cargo room behind its rear seats and longer maximum range in Edmunds' testing. The comparably priced Mach-E Select RWD trim also produces more power than the EV6, but its range is about 60 miles shorter. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
The Audi Q4 e-tron costs almost $5,000 less than the EV6 and brings more luxury and prestige. The base Q4 e-tron isn't as powerful as the EV6 but is enough for most drivers. Range is estimated at 265 miles versus the EV6's max 310 miles but, again, that should be enough for most owners. You don't get as many standard features in the Audi, but you'll have that price advantage to add options.
The Kia EV6 is the automaker's first purpose-built electric vehicle; glowing reviews and interest in its far-out styling means it enjoys virtually sold-out status at dealerships. By all accounts, Kia doesn't need any help selling EV6s. But performance enthusiasts have been waiting for the range-topping GT version that was announced at inception but put on hold while production ramped up.
The EV6 GT uses the same 77.4-kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese battery pack as the standard EV6. But it takes the more powerful rear motor from the EV6 GT-Line and moves it to the front axle, then slaps an even more powerful motor on the rear. The rear motor by itself (362 hp) offers more power than both motors in the GT-Line. That results in a combined power output of 576 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque, those incredible 0-60 mph claims, and a top speed of 161 mph.
The EV6 GT doesn't have a lot to visually distinguish it from the other EV6 models. There's a subtle GT badge on the rear and larger brakes, but it will slip through day-to-day life mostly unnoticed — until you hit the throttle, that is.
It veers into absurdity how fast the GT is. Unlike some other electric vehicles that offer a quick burst of acceleration and then start to peter out once you reach highway speeds, the EV6 GT climbs up past the triple digits in near silence. Speed without the sensation of sound is still something I'm getting used to, and I was thankful for the head-up display that kept my speed prominently displayed on the windshield.
For the most part, the GT's interior mimics the standard EV6's with a few notable upgrades. Sport bucket seats are standard and feature vegan suede upholstery and bright neon green accents. The seats have aggressive bolstering and are a bit on the firm side, so larger passengers may have some trouble getting comfortable. There's also a racy striped motif on top of the dash and center armrest, as well as additional dynamic sounds that are pumped through the speakers to deliver the EV equivalent of engine noise. Thankfully these sounds can also easily be turned off via the multimedia system.
Kia boasts the EV6 GT will come with 20 standard safety features, including forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, an automated parking system, surround-view camera system, a blind-spot camera, rear automatic braking, lane change assistance and evasive steering assistance.
Edmunds saysThe 2023 Kia EV6 GT's power and fun to dollar ratio are hard to match — it's just too bad that it comes at the expense of range.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Kia EV6:
The least-expensive 2023 Kia EV6 is the 2023 Kia EV6 Light 4dr SUV (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $42,600.
Other versions include:
