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Pros: Superb handling, immense speed, looks good inside and out
Cons: Virtual gearshifts need work, fake noise
Kia EV6 GT Design
The Kia EV6’s familiar, swoopy form – chosen for its aerodynamic prowess, which in turn helps with range and refinement – hasn’t changed much in the four years it has been on sale, and it still looks good from its sleek snout to the cut-off upright of its tail. For 2025, all EV6 models have been facelifted with the ‘Star Map’ front-light signature and a matching full-width light bar at the rear, while the top-dog GT model is denoted by its bespoke 21-inch alloy wheels and the Neon Green brake callipers peeping out from behind them. Five colours are available for the EV6 GT, one of which is a matte-effect blue that’s easy on the eye, but which won’t be that easy to maintain.
Kia EV6 GT Interior
Ergonomically speaking, and in terms of how it is put together, the EV6’s cabin is superb. It has been since launch in 2021, with its twin 12.3-inch digital screens providing a surprisingly usable interface – no doubt helped by the clever bank of switchable controls on the centre console, which can be flicked from infotainment commands to climate-control shortcuts.
For the GT, the Neon Green accents seen on the brakes make a return inside, with the steering wheel, air-vent centres and seats all adorned with the colour. The latter are deeply sculpted bucket chairs up front that are mounted low in the chassis, giving a sporty driving position, and then there’s the GT Mode switch (again in Neon Green) dangling off the left-hand spoke of the steering wheel. Practicality is also excellent in the EV6 GT, thanks to masses of passenger room and a good-sized 480-litre boot, so all round the cabin of the Kia is one of its strongest points.
Kia EV6 GT Performance & Drive
Previously, the Kia EV6 GT had dual electric motors making up to 545hp and a battery pack of 77.4kWh usable energy, complete with an 800-volt electrical architecture. These were enough to propel the 2.1-tonne-plus car from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, with up to 424km of range possible to a charge.
Now, the all-wheel-drive GT has been uprated to 650hp, which doesn’t change the benchmark acceleration stat, but a slightly larger battery pack increases the one-shot capabilities to 450km. Furthermore, the GT now has a system which can simulate the dual-clutch transmission of an internal-combustion car, plus another piece of tech which mimics engine noise to go with it. Further revisions to the suspension, steering, brakes and electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential are all dialled in to help the Kia cope with such high outputs.
The good news is that all these alterations have sharpened what was already a very good high-performance EV in the first place, layering on top of the sheer speed an impressive level of driver involvement and engagement. Lovely steering couples to top-notch damping, allowing a keen owner to really tackle a challenging road with plenty of confidence, safe in the knowledge they’ll have fun in the process. Yet the GT still works nicely as a day-to-day car, with suspension that’s firm but comfortable, and a consummate level of refinement in terms of the suppression of both tyre and wind noise.
The only slight drawbacks are that the new virtual gearshift system doesn’t allow the car to ‘rev’ out far enough – it’s simulated revs, of course, but there’s a limit of just 6,500rpm – and the noise the EV6 GT makes is very obviously fake, rather than a convincing soundtrack that replicates a combustion engine. But that’s where our criticisms of the Kia’s dynamics start and end.
Kia EV6 GT Pricing
The EV6 GT previously cost €85,000 here, but we don’t have a price for the new one as it has not been confirmed for this market. As usual with a Kia, a lengthy list of standard equipment is backed up by the manufacturer’s seven-year, 150,000km warranty.
With its 800-volt architecture, the Kia EV6 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent battery charge at its fastest 258kW DC rate in just 18 minutes, while it’ll also take seven hours 35 minutes to take it from 10-100 per cent at an AC charger putting out 11kW. That time would extend to more like 11 hours on the more typical 7.4kW domestic wallbox.
Carzone Verdict
With more power, more driving range and more advanced chassis technology, the Kia EV6 GT has taken everything that was good about the pre-facelift car and built upon it with a genuinely worthwhile set of enhancements. This is no longer just an EV which is stupendously fast in a straight line, but one which will engage and entertain its driver on the sort of roads where previously, big and heavy EVs would not have excelled. If the car comes to Ireland and the price of the GT is pitched right, it makes for a thoroughly compelling performance-car choice for those who want to go zero-emissions sooner rather than later.