I’m considering the Kia EV6 for my commute. I drive from the suburbs to the city and sometimes take trips to the countryside. I’ve never owned a GT car before but drove the Ioniq 5 RWD entry model before. My concern is that the EV6 GT might be overkill, especially with the recent price drop.
Does the extra power in the GT make it hard to handle, especially for someone who doesn’t speed?
How comfortable is it for passengers on long drives, like a 5-hour trip on the weekend?
The GT is a lot of fun, but because of its size and weight, it can get away from you quickly. I’ve had that happen to me a few times. For example, the professional driver in the Car and Driver video lost control on the track. It’s not the most stable car if things get rough.
As for the seats, the rear ones are okay for trips, but I find the front seats uncomfortable after about an hour. But I’m a larger person, so it might be different for others.
If you don’t need the extra horsepower, which you probably won’t unless you’re all about speed, the GT gives up comfort features to save on weight (e.g. power seats). The GT line still has plenty of power. I had a 502 HP Grand Cherokee SRT, and the EV6 is faster and 500lbs lighter. It’ll still give you a thrill when you take off. I’m 6’1” and find it comfortable, and there’s more room in the back seat than my Jeep, which surprised me. It also has a surprising amount of cargo space. Just yesterday, I had a 6’ x 2’ pet cage in the back with one seat down. This is my first EV and Kia, and I’ve been really happy with it.
If you’re of average size, the seats are comfortable. The car in GT mode is really smooth; it’s heavy but still very agile and responsive. They’ve made improvements in more than just power; the steering, suspension, and chassis rigidity are much better.
I love my GT. I wouldn’t choose any other model.
What I like about the eGMP cars is how different they feel in each driving mode (especially the GT). I use eco mode when I have passengers; it’s the least powerful and softest suspension. Normal mode is fine when I’m by myself—it has a bump in power but still has a soft suspension. If you’re not used to a lot of power, the GT might feel a bit much because of the sharp throttle response and relaxed traction control. But even then, it’s not hard to handle. Personally, I find the seats more comfortable than the Wind model, and my wife didn’t mind them either. It’s comfortable enough for 5 people.
But honestly, unless you really want all the power, the GT-Line is probably better. You get more range, cheaper tires, and better features like ventilated seats. I’d suggest trying both and deciding which one suits you better.
No, in eco and normal modes, the throttle response is quite mild.
Yes, it’s very comfortable. There’s tons of legroom, and the rear seatbacks can recline.
I don’t think anyone’s mentioned this, but the GT only reaches its full 575 horsepower when you’re in GT mode. In sport mode, you get about 460 HP, and in eco mode, it’s only 290. So, you can drive it comfortably most of the time and save the full power for when you really want to go fast or for some fun on an empty road.
@VoltVanguards4
Thanks! I didn’t know that! Those modes sound perfect for me.
CarterWalker1 said:
@VoltVanguards4
Thanks! I didn’t know that! Those modes sound perfect for me.
Don’t rely too much on those modes. Mine can still kick out in eco mode. Normal mode feels safer, but it’s a bit too soft for my liking in the suspension. I use sport mode daily—it’s more predictable, but I came from a car that was a real beast. If this is your first fast car, take it easy at first.
I’d suggest considering the AWD GT-Line instead. It has more comfort features, better range, and enough power in sport mode for most people. I test drove both and chose the GT-Line for those reasons. It’s still the fastest car I’ve had.
The GT is impressive, and it’ll outpace most cars on the road. But the GT-Line will do 95% of what the GT does, and it’s more practical overall. I know plenty of people who love their GTs, and it’s the right model for them. I love the GT’s performance, but for most, it’s too much.
I test drove all the options: the Ioniq 5 (and 6), the EV6 Wind, the GT-Line, and the full GT. For seat comfort, I found the GT seats to be the best, but they might not work for everyone’s body shape. That’s the main thing to focus on when choosing a model.
These cars are a great deal right now. You won’t regret getting one.
I had an issue with the lack of seat memory in the GT compared to the GT-Line. I also find the GT-Line seats more comfortable. Off the track, the GT-Line feels fast enough.
The GT is really for those who want top-tier performance. If that’s not your main focus, the GT-Line is better in every way. Especially if you share the car with others (memory seats are a must for that). The smaller wheels with more tire sidewall also give better range, a better ride, and less chance of damaging the rims.
Kia has so many safety features in the GT, it’s hard to imagine it being dangerous. There are six different drive modes with varying acceleration. Two of them are for GT mode, one of which is drift mode, which allows the rear to break out a bit.
I’ve driven a Lamborghini on a track, and it felt like it was trying to get me killed. The GT feels much safer.
We didn’t go for the GT because the GT-Line seats are much more comfortable, with electric adjustments and memory functions. The GT-Line seats were perfect for my wife and me, considering our height difference. With 300+ horsepower, the GT-Line is plenty quick for a family car.
@Milo
Good to know! The GT Line isn’t available where I am, but I will keep this in mind for future reference.