GM Benchmarking Kia EV6
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General Motors was recently caught benchmarking the Kia EV6, the South Korean brand’s all-electric crossover model set to rival the Chevy Blazer EV.
GM’s Kia EV6 benchmark vehicle was spied circling the GM Proving Ground in Michigan, and appears to the base Wind trim level. The benchmark vehicle was seen with a noticeable communications antenna attached on the passenger’s side of the roof, and is covered in what appears to be Glacier paint.
The latest 2023 Kia EV6 lineup includes several different trim levels and configurations, with both rear-wheel drive models and all-wheel drive models offered. The lineup starts with the Kia EV6 Wind RWD, which is equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery pack with enough juice to cover an EPA-estimated 310 miles. Peak output is rated at 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the onboard charging system incorporates 800V Ultra-Fast DC Charging Capabilities. A set of 19-inch wheels are equipped as standard, while the cabin features vegan leather trim, heated and ventilated seats, and an eight-way power passenger’s seat with two-way power lumbar adjustment. Towing capacity is rated at 2,300 pounds. Pricing for the 2023 Kia EV6 Wind RWD starts at $48,500.
The rest of the Kia EV6 line includes the Wind e-AWD, the GT-Line RWD, the GT-Line e-AWD, and finally, the GT e-AWD. Like the Wind RWD, the GT e-AWD is also equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery, but output is considerably higher at 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. Range-per-charge is estimated at 206 miles. Additional highlights include standard 21-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance tires, an electronic rear limited-slip differential, high-performance brakes, and variable-ratio steering. Pricing for the range-topping 2023 Kia EV6 GT e-AWD starts at $61,400.
Notably, the forthcoming Chevy Blazer EV SS will counter the Kia EV6 GT e-AWD in terms of output, laying down 557 horsepower and 648 pound-feet of torque to hit 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. The Chevy Blazer EV SS will launch in the fall of 2023 and is expected to start at $65,995.
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Funny thing is, Kia just discontinued their base Wind trim level.
Naaa…Kia discontinued the “Air” model in the US. It sold in small numbers and featured a smaller battery pack and a lower output single motor driving the rear wheels.
oh another atmosphere trim level… woops.
Incorrect, it’s not atmosphere. I own the Kia Wind RWD model which is now the base model with a range of 310 miles and it really does charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes, which is almost twice as fast as the Blazer EV does! It is a very quiet ride and smooth, compared to any Tesla or Bolt EV and my old Equinox ICE. And my EV6 Wind does get 310 miles of range which is 10 more miles than the Equinox EV long range and only 10 miles less than the longest range Blazer EV. And it’s peppy enough for me at 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds. I am so glad I swithched from the Bolt EV for the EV6 and did not wait for the behind-the-times slow charging Equinox EV or Blazer EV.
The best thing the EV6 has going for it is fast charging. The RWD standard range model charges up from 20% to 80% in 13 minutes (0-100 = 21 minutes). That might be a boring statistic for ICE owners but it’s not that far from the idealistic 5-minute recharge.
That’s a theoretical figure for fast charging. In the rest of the typical situation, the charging output is not constant, showing a similar charging speed to other electric vehicles.
Yes, your mileage may vary, but real world results also support the EV6. Out of Spec Motoring conducted an endurance race to Las Vegas and found the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (same motor/battery/charging as the EV6) managed to beat the Tesla Model X and even the Model 3. Not what I expected, but the results are impressive.
The best part of the EV6 is not only it’s fast charging, but also it’s quiet and smooth ride. Also, it’s 1-peddle driving comes to a complete stop very smoothly. I know, because I own the EV6 Wind RWD. I’ve heard on Youtube reviews that the Hyundai Ionic 5 has a even quieter and smoother ride than the EV6.
It is not a Blazer EV but a competitor for Equinox EV.
I’m starting to think the automobile shortage is due to GM benchmarking so many vehicles…
Gotta get those prices down. Batteries still very expensive.
That’s setting the bar pretty low. Not surprised, this is GM after all.
I’m waiting for the 500-mile EV. How long will I have to wait?
It’s good to see GM benchmark current market electric vehicles, that way the next generation will certainly be better than today’s cars in 2030. All kidding aside, I’d like to see GM actually release one of their EV’s (in substantial production numbers) within 3 years of product unveiling for a change… I’m getting real tired of GM claim to be a leader in EVs based on products they “unveiled” 3 years ago that are either still un-obtanium or years away from production. We speak of the Blazer and Equinox EV as if they are currently available competitors to the EV6. The fact is, the only “affordable” GM electric vehicle you can even currently purchase are the Bolt and Bolt EUV, which I would classify as anything but a “leader” in EV technology. Pose the question to a current GM customer who’s Bolt has been parked outside in their driveway the last two years…
The Kia EV6GT has 576 HP and reaches 60MPH in 3.5 seconds–so much for the Blazer——-
That’s a “First Edition” not a Wind. Essentially a GT-Line AWD but with the Wind body. 20″ wheels give it away.