Trims and EV Powertrain
The 2023 Kia EV6 is a five-passenger electric crossover made in four trim levels called Light, Wind, GT-Line, and GT. The Light’s motor makes 167 hp, whereas the upgrade in the Wind and GT-Line churns out 225 hp; both motors produce 258 lb.-ft. of torque. A single electric motor for the rear axle is standard for the first three trims, but the Wind and GT-Line are eligible for an available front-axle motor that enables all-wheel drive performance (this comes standard on the GT). If the Wind and GT-Line are ordered with the additional motor, their output increases to 320 hp and 446 lb.-ft. of torque. The new GT is exceptional, with a powertrain that generates 576 hp and 545 lb.-ft. of torque.
Light
The Light flaunts a stylish exterior that’s composed of automatic LED headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, power-folding heated side mirrors with position memory, elegant door handles that sit flush, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a sound-absorbing windshield, rear privacy glass, proximity keyless entry (Smart Key), and 19-inch wheels.
Inside, the Light has push-button start, five USB ports (one for media and four for charging), a wireless phone charge pad, a drive mode selector, two-zone automatic climate control, power windows with auto-up/down for the front row, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a steering wheel wrapped in vegan leather. Its seats (which are heated in the front row) are upholstered with a combination of fabric and vegan leather; the driver’s seat is power adjustments with position memory, while the 60/40-split second-row seat comes with a folding center armrest.
The Light also gets two 12.3-inch panoramic displays, one that contains driver information and the other for controlling the infotainment features: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system.
Kia appoints the entry-level Light with a set of high-tech active driving aids, too, including forward collision-avoidance assist with moving object and junction turning detection, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, driver attention warning with leading vehicle departure alert, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, navigation-based smart cruise control with stop-and-go, Highway Driving Assist, intelligent speed limit assist, safe exit warning, rear parking sensors, and rear occupant alert.
Wind
The Wind gains gloss-black exterior accents, a power tailgate, an onboard power generator, sound-absorbing front glass, full vegan-leather seating, ventilated front seats with passenger power adjustments, and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system. On top of that, this trim receives front parking sensors and is eligible for some more complex driver-assist technologies: a blind-spot view monitor, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, a 3D surround-view camera, and Remote Smart Parking Assist (automated parking). AWD versions of the Wind also have a heated steering wheel and a range-preserving heat pump.
GT-Line
The even sportier GT-Line draws attention to its specialized exterior styling, auto-extending flush door handles, a sunroof, an augmented reality (AR) head-up display, a HomeLink universal transceiver, multi-color LED accent lighting, a sport-design steering wheel, alloy pedals, metal door-sill scuff plates, and a black headliner. This trim also gets the active driving aids listed as optional for the Wind trim, as well as an improved forward collision system (its additional features are junction crossing detection, side and oncoming lane change assist, and steering assist), smart cruise control with machine learning, and Highway Driving Assist 2 with improved lane change assistance. Like the AWD Wind, the AWD GT-Line gets a heat pump to extend drive range and a heated steering wheel, along with 20-inch wheels.
GT
The AWD-only GT is the culmination of athletic prowess and plushness. It shows off a unique appearance punctuated by 21-inch wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 summer performance tires, plus black suede seat trim with neon accents. It also boasts a GT performance-enhancing drive mode, a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, sporty front bucket seats, and heated rear outboard seats.
