GT suitability vs other models… anyone tried both?

Looking at the Kia EV6 and trying to figure out if the GT model makes sense for me.

I usually commute from the suburbs to the city for work and sometimes take highway or countryside trips to visit family.

I’ve never owned a GT before but did test drive the Ioniq 5 RWD base model.

With the recent price drops on the GT, I’m really tempted…

  1. Will the GT’s extra power make it hard to handle for someone who drives carefully and doesn’t push the pedal too hard?

  2. Is it comfortable for passengers on long trips, like 5-hour drives on weekends?

If you’re an average size, the seats are comfortable. The GT in GT mode is super smooth, very linear in response. It’s heavy, but for its weight, it handles sharply and feels agile.

I’ve had mine for a while and wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

Kia loaded this thing with safety features, so it’s pretty hard to get thrown off by the power. Plus, you have six different driving modes, each with its own throttle response. Two of them are specifically for GT mode, including a drift mode that lets the rear end slide a bit.

I’ve driven a Lamborghini on a track, and it was wild—felt like it was trying to throw me off at every turn! The GT feels way safer and more grounded by comparison.

We didn’t pick the GT mainly because of the seats. The GT-Line seats are more adjustable, with memory and both heating and ventilation. Living where summers are hot and winters are cold, those features made a difference for us. Plus, with over 300 HP, the GT-Line still feels like plenty of car for a family.

@Thomas
For me, the GT seats are actually way more comfortable, but it all comes down to your body type and how the seats fit you.

@Thomas
Thanks for the insight! My local dealer doesn’t have the GT-Line in stock, but I could wait if it’s worth it.

Connie said:
@Thomas
Thanks for the insight! My local dealer doesn’t have the GT-Line in stock, but I could wait if it’s worth it.

Just got a GT-Line myself, and I’m absolutely thrilled with it. The drive feels so solid!

The GT is a blast, but with the size and weight, it can get away from you if you’re not paying attention. I’ve had it slip a few times on quick turns. Even a pro driver went off the track during a review I saw, so it’s not always stable if you push it.

The rear seats are good for long rides, but the front ones can get uncomfortable after an hour, at least for me. I’m a big guy, so that might play a role, sitting more on the side bolsters than in the seat.

If you don’t need the extra horsepower (which most people don’t), the GT sacrifices some comfort features to save weight, like power seats. The GT-Line is already very powerful. I came from a Grand Cherokee SRT with 502 HP, and the EV6 still feels faster and lighter. The back seat has good space too, which surprised me coming from a Jeep.

This is my first EV and first Kia, and I’ve been super happy with it.

Something worth noting is that the GT only unleashes its full 575 HP in GT mode. Sport mode limits it to 460 HP, and Eco mode gives you about 290 HP. So you can drive it calmly most of the time and reserve GT mode for a track day or an empty stretch of road.

@diallo
Thanks! Didn’t know that. Sounds like a good setup for flexible driving.

One thing I like about the GT (and other eGMP cars) is how different it feels across driving modes.

When I have passengers, I use Eco mode, which softens everything, including the suspension. I usually drive in Normal when it’s just me, which adds a bit more power but keeps it smooth. GT mode is sharp and can be a lot for a new user, but it’s not wildly out of control.

For me, the seats are pretty comfy, and my wife finds them okay for longer trips. But honestly, unless you need max power, the GT-Line is probably better. It has more range, cheaper tires, and ventilated seats. Try both and see which suits you.

I’d really suggest the AWD GT-Line. You get more comfort features, better range, and more than enough power with Sport mode.

I drove both and went with the GT-Line for those reasons. It’s still the fastest car I’ve ever owned.

The GT is a beast and will leave most cars in the dust, but the GT-Line still packs a punch and is probably the right fit for most people.

I moved from an EV6 Plus RWD to the EV6 GT, and the difference in driving is night and day. In Eco or Normal mode, the GT feels like a calm, easygoing ride, but when you switch to GT mode, it turns into a totally different animal—super fast and fun!

I was worried the 21" wheels would be less comfortable than the 19" ones on my old EV6, but they feel similar in Normal mode. The seats also have better support, and since they’re made with Alcantara, they don’t get as sticky in hot weather.

If you’ve never owned a GT model, I’d recommend trying the Wind AWD. It’s still really quick, and you’ll get a bit more range too.

  1. In Eco and Normal, the GT is easy to handle and not jumpy.

  2. It’s comfortable for long trips, with lots of legroom and reclining back seats.

Interesting to hear about the seats without ventilation. I just picked up a 2024 GT, and it does have ventilated seats, even the bucket type. Haven’t seen this in any reviews, so maybe it’s a regional model?

@olivia
Usually, the GT seats don’t come ventilated since they’re shared with a Hyundai N model that didn’t have that feature. Are you sure it’s not a special model or dealer-installed option?

chozen said:
@olivia
Usually, the GT seats don’t come ventilated since they’re shared with a Hyundai N model that didn’t have that feature. Are you sure it’s not a special model or dealer-installed option?

Nope, it’s a factory option here. Plenty of GT models here have them.

Or

You can clearly see the ventilation buttons on the console. Not a dealer mod, just a regional variation!

I don’t own an EV6 GT, but I did drive the AWD Ioniq 5 and EV6, and those were already fast. Unless you’re really into the GT’s performance, I’d suggest test-driving the AWD versions of these models first—they’re powerful and comfortable. Just a heads up, I believe the GT doesn’t have seat cooling while the GT-Line does!

@Michael
Yep, GT seats are heated but not ventilated, and only have manual adjustments.