As we have been closely keeping track of the different qualities that today's drivers are after, the 2023 EV6 is an accessible blend of everything unique and powerful in today’s market! We were waiting intently here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis for the Forbes team to tell the world what they thought of the EV6 after time spent behind the wheel, and they immediately remarked that it was “one of the most ferocious rides of the year.”
What could be mistaken for a slightly above average and “nerdy” SUV, the EV6 GT model comes loaded and ready for the ride with 575 hungry, but silent horsepower on duty, and 545 lb-ft of torque. If you’re after just a relaxing cruise you can achieve that under any circumstances, but once you figure out that the EV6 does zero to 60 in 3.4 seconds, it is constantly tempting to run through this exhilarating exercise repeatedly. Set to battle with the competition fiercely and confidently, the EV6 faces off against the Chevy Bolt EUV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Audi Q4 e-tron, and the Tesla Model Y.
The Forbes drive testing expert reflected that it's simple to roll in a sensible fashion or with the family around town, and on a typical run or doing errands you don't feel like you must impatiently gun the throttle. But if you hit a pleasantly open stretch or suddenly find yourself outside the city, you can decidedly dial in the “OMG” factor, thanks to the variety of performance types packed into the driving modes. You can select from Eco, Normal, Snow, and Sport, with the GT model also offering Drift, GT, and My Drive modes for extra fun.
Each trim level derives its power from a 77.4-kWh battery pack with various drive configurations and power outputs to keep things optimally juiced and performing at top capacity. The GT’s gleeful and quite inspirational Drift Mode hands over the keys to unlock increased rear wheel drive torque distribution and drifting performance, along with properly administering the 15-inch front larger-diameter disc brakes with quad-piston front calipers. The chassis stiffens up in this mode, and the steering is adjusted for a quicker ratio.
To describe what the drive was generally like, writer Josh Max claims that his first impression was “hasty, silent, and thrilling off the line.” When you accelerate suddenly you are given as much passing ability on the road as you could ever need, and you can excitedly feel as if you may collide with an object or median when you aren’t even close. Even though that’s sheer gravity and momentum doing the talking, we guarantee it’s an enthralling bundle of fun! The controls have a very tight and grippy characteristic, and taking corners allows for a sedan-like feel without much body roll.
The virtual display offers a quick view of how much power is left at any given time, and the glow of the ambient lighting in the center console, door panels, and dashboard evokes everything exciting about interiors that we knew the future of cars would soon be ripe with. With a top speed of 161 mph, a few more of the performance upgrades that make a serious difference are a dedicated sport suspension with electronically controlled dampers and unique front suspension performance components.
The electronic limited-slip differential works overtime by constantly directing torque to the wheels with the most grip. Fun, consistently satisfying, and just a bit edgy, the EV6 is perfect for a longtime fan of Hellcat-powered devices that are solidly sold on Kia’s excellent warranty and track record. This is the powerful and riotous new model with a personality we have eagerly been waiting for: Edmunds.com claimed that the 2023 EV6 is “your pick through and through if your tastes trend toward thrills.”
