Mat Watson: This new electric car is insanely fast and has some clever tech on board, but a Tesla Model 3 is more fun

This is the new Kia EV6. It’s been given some updates externally, internally and there’s some new tech on board as well, including a very cool feature borrowed from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

I’ve got the bonkers 650hp GT version here, and it can actually mimic the gearchanges of an internal combustion-engined car – just like the Ioniq 5 N. There are plenty of other great features on this car as well; here are five cool things about the Kia EV6 GT, as well as one reason I’d buy a Tesla Model 3 instead.

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Five great things about the new Kia EV6 GT

1. The interior is lovely
2. New traction control system
3. Configurable driving modes
4. Fingerprint ID
5. It’s quick

1. The interior is lovely

I’ve always liked the Kia EV6’s cabin, and for this facelifted version they’ve improved it. The glossy piano black plastic on the centre console is gone, with some much nicer-looking matte grey material in its place, and everything you touch feels nice and posh.

I also like the fact you get physical knobs for the climate control, and the sporty bucket seats in this GT version look great. Interior space is pretty good as well, with plenty of rear passenger space and an abundance of clever storage cubbies.

2. New Traction control system

The fake gears on the new EV6 GT aren’t the only change to make it better to drive, Kia has also updated the traction control system. It’s now housed within the electric motor, rather than being a separate system.

This means it can detect slip and react quicker than before, so you don’t feel any juddering when you lose traction. It also has an electronic limited-slip differential which can do torque vectoring, so it can send power to the wheel with the most grip and slingshot you around a corner.

3. Configurable driving modes

The Kia EV6 GT comes with something called “My Drive Mode” which is very configurable. You can set up things like the power from the motors, the weight of the steering and the stiffness of the suspension, as well as some more advanced adjustments.

You can choose how much traction control you’d like, including an option to just turn it off, and there’s also a setting for how aggressive you’d like your electronic limited-slip differential to be so you can get the back end out around corners. I also like the fact you can quickly switch to your custom driving mode using a button on the steering wheel.

4. Fingerprint ID

This updated Kia EV6 has a fingerprint scanner next to the power button, and you can actually pair your fingerprint to your driver profile. This is especially handy if you share the car with a partner, for example.

When you scan your fingerprint the seats, steering wheel and mirrors will all move to your ideal position straight away, so you don’t even have to remember which preset is yours.

5. It’s quick

Of course the new EV6 GT is quick, it has 650hp after all. But I actually timed it from 0-60mph on a soaking wet road and I was shocked at just how fast it was even in these conditions.

Kia claims this car will do 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds. In normal mode it managed 4.56 seconds, but then I tried GT mode which gives you launch control. It then managed 0-60mph in 3.83 seconds, which is seriously impressive on a slippery surface.

Driving the Kia EV6 GT: why I prefer the Tesla Model 3 Performance

The Kia EV6 is really easy to drive around town. You can set the regenerative braking to slow you to a stop without touching the brake pedal, and the brakes themselves are really smooth and progressive.

The Tesla Model 3 does have a slightly tighter turning circle which may make it easier to manoeuvre, but the EV6 is still nice and relaxing to thread through tight streets.

I actually like to drive this car with its fake gearshifts turned on, because it just adds a dimension to driving which I think is missing from most electric cars. It gives you a level of control.

This is especially apparent out on a country road, because if you floor it in sixth gear then the pickup is slow, just like a petrol car, but if you drop it down to third then it gets much more responsive and you actually hit a rev limiter. It’s really clever.

I do wish the gear changes were a bit more jerky, like a BMW M car in Sport + mode, just to make it feel even more involved.

Then I hit a country road. On paper, this car is brilliant through the bends. There’s loads of grip, the brakes are good and the suspension does a good job of minimising body roll. However, there was just a bit of spark missing.

I think this is mainly down to the steering. It’s accurate, but it’s a bit rubbery and you don’t get much feedback through it. On the whole, a Tesla Model 3 Performance is just more fun to drive quickly on a country road.

So then what’s my final verdict on the Kia EV6 GT? Well I reckon you should shortlist it. The GT isn’t the one I’d buy. I’d save myself around £10,000 by buying a mid-spec version, then use the change to buy something like a second-hand Mazda MX-5 as my weekend fun car.

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