The 2025 Kia EV6 GT arrives with a potent 641bhp and an eye-catching design, yet it grapples with an identity crisis, struggling to fully embody the thrilling characteristics expected of a high-performance electric vehicle. Despite its shared lineage with the acclaimed Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the EV6 GT falls short in crucial areas of driver engagement and dynamic finesse. Its robust power output ensures blistering acceleration, capable of matching exotic sports cars. However, the vehicle's chassis, along with its simplified virtual gear shift and less immersive sound generation, prevents it from delivering the visceral and interactive experience found in its Hyundai counterpart. While offering a more accessible price point and a mature aesthetic, the EV6 GT ultimately leaves enthusiasts yearning for a more cohesive and exhilarating package.
The updated 2025 Kia EV6 GT showcases a significant power increase, now matching the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's 641 horsepower and boasting a substantial torque output. This enhanced power, however, doesn't translate into improved acceleration or top speed, suggesting the vehicle's existing tire and weight limitations are already at their maximum. While it incorporates a virtual gear shift, a feature lauded in the Ioniq 5 N, the EV6 GT's implementation is less refined, offering fewer simulated speeds and a less engaging auditory experience. The decision to soften the suspension, aiming for a better cruising experience, inadvertently compromises its performance car credentials, leading to a ride that is neither fully sporty nor entirely comfortable. This duality highlights a fundamental dilemma in the EV6 GT's design, preventing it from truly shining as a performance-oriented EV.
Performance and Engagement: A Conflicted Identity
The 2025 Kia EV6 GT, while possessing formidable straight-line acceleration, struggles to deliver a truly captivating and engaging driving experience. Its powerful dual-motor setup ensures rapid acceleration, a testament to its raw power. However, the vehicle's chassis and overall dynamic tuning feel somewhat disconnected from its prodigious output. Unlike its platform sibling, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which is lauded for its sophisticated torque vectoring, advanced simulated gearbox, and dynamic sound profiles, the EV6 GT offers a more subdued and less interactive experience. This disparity leaves the EV6 GT feeling less like a driver's car and more like a very fast, albeit somewhat unrefined, electric cruiser.
The updated EV6 GT's increased power, now matching the Ioniq 5 N, does not translate into a tangible improvement in acceleration figures, indicating potential limitations in its chassis's ability to fully utilize the added grunt. Furthermore, its virtual gear shift system, while present, lacks the customizable and immersive qualities of the Hyundai's, offering fewer simulated speeds and a less exciting engine note. This suggests a hesitancy from Kia to fully commit to the performance-enhancing simulated features that make the Ioniq 5 N so compelling. The car's suspension setup, described as softer for cruising but still too firm for comfort, epitomizes this internal conflict. It fails to achieve a harmonious balance, leaving the vehicle in a perplexing middle ground where it neither excels as a comfortable tourer nor as a sharp performance machine. This fundamental lack of engagement, coupled with its range limitations compared to standard EV6 models, raises questions about its overall value proposition as a dedicated performance EV.
Value and Aesthetics: The EV6 GT's Niche Appeal
Despite its dynamic shortcomings, the 2025 Kia EV6 GT manages to carve out a niche appeal through its competitive pricing and distinctive aesthetic. Positioned at a lower cost than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, it presents a financially more accessible entry point into the realm of high-performance electric vehicles. Beyond the economic advantage, the EV6 GT boasts a design that is both sophisticated and visually appealing, offering a more mature and refined appearance compared to the Ioniq 5 N's more aggressive and flamboyant styling. This combination of affordability and elegant design may sway buyers who prioritize a blend of potent performance with a less overt, more understated presence on the road.
The EV6 GT's pricing advantage of approximately £5,000 against the Ioniq 5 N is a significant draw, making its substantial power output more attainable for a broader audience. Its design language, characterized by sleek lines and a grown-up aesthetic, stands in stark contrast to the Ioniq 5 N's more "yobbish" and youthful appearance. This makes the EV6 GT a more suitable choice for individuals who desire an electric vehicle with formidable power but prefer a more subtle and elegant visual statement. However, this appeal largely hinges on these two factors, as for virtually every other aspect—be it driver engagement, technological innovation in performance features, or overall dynamic prowess—the Ioniq 5 N consistently surpasses or matches the EV6 GT. Ultimately, while the Kia EV6 GT presents a compelling package in terms of power, price, and visual appeal, its inability to fully leverage its performance potential through immersive driving dynamics positions it as a car that is tantalizingly close to greatness, yet still a step behind its more engaging sibling.