The Kia EV6 is a great vehicle. I've been a fan since my first review of it a year and a half (ish) ago. That was the Wind RWD model.
This time, it's the GT-Line RWD. The hyphen and the word "Line" are key here. There is also a Kia EV6 GT, a 576-horsepower AWD version which I haven't driven yet.
And, interestingly enough---the Wind RWD and the GT-Line RWD are functionally identical.
Both have 225 horsepower with an EPA-estimated range of 310 miles per charge. I saw an average of four miles per kilowatt-hour in my week with the GT-Line RWD, which, multiplied by the 77.4 kWh battery, works out to 309.6 miles---very close to the EPA figure.
They both feature Kia's 800-volt DC fast charge port that can, assuming a DC fast charger is performing well, recharge the car from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes.
As I've bemoaned in my last few EV reviews, chargers performing to spec are an increasingly rare occurrence. This 350kw fast charger near me maxed out at 129kw (the photo was taken as it began its slowdown)---taking 29 minutes to charge from 20% to 81%.
That's still a pretty fast charge---but the car itself can do better. Again, we're being let down at a crucial moment by our charging infrastructure.
Essentially, the GT-Line is a trim package---one rung up the EV6 RWD ladder from the Wind.
There are five exterior color choices to the Wind's eight, three unique interior upholstery choices, all two-tone, including a combination vegan Syn-Tex and suede, to the Wind's two monochrome options, a standard blind-spot view monitor, surround-view monitor, and smart parking assist that are extra cost on the Wind.
There's also a sunroof, forward-collision avoidance assistance features, smart cruise control and highway driving assistance, a sport-design steering wheel and a Homelink garage door opener not available on the Wind, a black cloth headliner (the Wind's is gray), ambient lighting, a head-up display, body-color lower cladding, and automatically-extending flush door handles.
The GT-Line's base price, including destination, is $54,225. And that brings a chunk of standard equipment beyond what we've already talked about---navigation, a Meridian premium audio system, wireless charging, remote start, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, driver's seat memory, 19-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights.
Our tester had only three extra-cost options---the GT-Line White Seat Package ($195), a cargo mat and luggage board ($95) and carpeted floor mats ($175), so the as-tested price of the 2023 Kia EV6 GT-Line is $54,690.
Because of specific content provisions in the new EV tax credit, the IONIQ 5 is no longer eligible for $7,500 in credits. Meaning, barring negotiating with the dealer, the price is the price.
There's one loophole, as Inside EVs reported: Lease it. In a lease, the credit goes to the dealer, who can apply it to the lease deal and pass the savings on to the lessee.
Price and the lack of incentives aside, the EV6 is one of the best EVs on the market and well worth considering.
