Making waves in the automotive industry, the Kia EV6 GT has snagged the illustrious title of Road & Track’s 2024 Performance EV of the Year. Competing in a pool of electric vehicles under the $100,000 price point, the EV6 GT surpassed its rivals in a comprehensive evaluation, leaving an indelible mark on electric vehicle performance standards.
Tested and Proven: How the EV6 GT Won
The selection process was far from trivial. Road & Track took six promising EVs on a four-mile trek along Angeles Crest Highway, closed off for this specific evaluation. The contenders were tested for raw speed, cornering agility, braking efficiency, and even emotional response—factors that collectively define a sports car. Additionally, technical aspects such as charging times and energy efficiency played a role in the ultimate decision.
Kia America's COO and EVP, Steven Center, couldn't contain the company's excitement. The award demonstrates that electric vehicles, far from being "silent boxes on wheels," can indeed generate the kind of enthusiasm previously reserved for their gas-powered counterparts. Mike Guy, Road & Track’s Editor-in-Chief, praised Kia for its seamless integration of design, technology, and performance.
A Glimpse Under the Hood: The Powerhouse that is the EV6 GT
Sitting atop Kia's acclaimed E-GMP modular EV platform, the EV6 GT is engineered for thrill-seekers. It houses a dual-motor e-AWD system powered by a 77.4-kWh battery pack. With a front motor rated at 160kW and a rear motor at 270kW, the vehicle delivers a jaw-dropping 576 hp and 546 lb.-ft. of torque.
But the EV6 GT doesn’t stop there; it comes loaded with specialized features. These include electronically controlled dampers for a sportier ride, as well as large ventilated front and rear disc brakes. It's fitted with high-performance Goodyear Eagle F1 tires that grip 21-inch alloy wheels. For drivers wanting to push the envelope even further, there's a "Drift Mode" to allow for increased oversteer.
Speed and charging efficiency form the final pieces of the puzzle. The EV6 GT achieves a 0-60 mph acceleration in just 3.4 seconds and boasts a top speed of 161 mph. For those concerned about charging, it features an 800v fast charging system that powers the battery from 10% to 80% in only 18 minutes. It even offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality for added utility.
