Kia EV6 GT spec battle: Is it really overpriced?

UPDATE, January 2023: Kia EV6 GT driven in Australia

"This isn't even my final form", chuckled the 239kW & 605Nm EV6 GT-Line last year. Now we understand... see our first drive review of the flagship EV6 GT, including a track test, at the link below.

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The story to here

The EV6 GT is the most expensive Kia ever, and not by any small margin.

We had a sneaking suspicion it would be, but when its $99,590 list price was leaked (technically still to be confirmed by Kia), there was uproar in our comments sections.

"One hundred thousand dollars… for a Kia?"

...was the overwhelming response. Not every comment was the same, but the $100K number definitely caused some price shock.

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But with 80 per cent more power than the 2022 Wheels COTY champion, is the EV6 GT really such a bad deal?

We’ve broken down the numbers to see what actually matches it. This isn’t a defence of EV6 GT – we think it’s expensive, too – but rather a look at what else is out there, and how rivals compare.

There’s also scorn being thrown at electric cars more generally for being overpriced, which we reckon is worth addressing in bare numbers.

More subjective factors such as handling, ride quality and driver feedback are, of course, not being addressed here – this is a numbers and space game – so stay tuned for related ICE vs EV comparisons soon.

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Kia EV6 GT specifications

Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Performance

The most obvious rivals? Tesla’s Performance range. The Model 3 especially gives the Kia a run for its money. It’s cheaper than the EV6 GT at $93,325 before on-road costs, with an estimated delivery date of February 2023.

It lacks the EV6’s Drift Mode, Australian-tuned suspension and adaptive dampers, however, at 1836kg – around 300kg lighter than EV6 GT – Tesla says the Model 3 performance will hit 100km/h in 3.3 seconds and go on to a top speed of 261km/h.

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Tesla doesn’t claim outputs (though EV Database estimates 377kW/650Nm), but the AWD Model 3’s rapid acceleration, 250kW DC charging capability and 547km WLTP range are pretty enticing.

Meanwhile the Model Y Performance’s $98,425 before on-roads price is just a whisker under the EV6’s. It gets to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds, so a little slower than the EV6 GT.

For those comfortable with the digital experience, both Tesla’s 15.0-inch screens with built downloadable games, Netflix, YouTube, satellite navigation and excellent sound systems will certainly appeal. The EV6’s more conventional twin 12.3-inch screens still offer plenty of features, though.

(Stevo adds: Some might argue the Tesla price is justified through it being a more premium car, but, well... no, it's not.)

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EV6 GT vs combustion cars

At Wheels, we aren’t EV apologists, but the fact is you simply can’t get a new, combustion-powered car that’s as fast in a straight line for similar money – as the table below proves.

Of course, this is an on-paper comparison not taking into account the touch, feel, emotional response and overall driving experience that premium manufacturers take great care in crafting. So perhaps we’ll have to line up a comparison with the EV6 GT and some combustion rivals, too.

*Kia Australia is yet to confirm the leaked EV6 GT list price

And if you want to go much faster in a straight line than a Kia or Tesla, maintaining space for four and the Labrador, then a Porsche Taycan will do it, but you’ll need to go for the 500kW Turbo, which starts at $283,000 before on-road costs and options.