2024 Kia EV6 0-60 Times & Specs

By: Max F. Arellano / April 10, 2024

The Kia EV6 0-60 time ranges from a hum-drum 7.5 seconds in its entry-level trim, to a blistering 3.2 seconds with the GT trim.

That makes the GT not only the fastest EV SUV on the market, but the fastest car Kia has ever produced.

Kia EV6 0-60 Time by Trim Level

Aside from welcoming the GT model to its lineup in 2023, the EV6 has seen no significant updates since its initial launch in 2022. Therefore, you can expect the same performance for 2024 as we see in these previously tested EV6's:

The EV6 features 2 different battery packs, which can be had with either an all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.

The aforementioned GT is the fastest car in the lineup with its 3.2 second 0-60 time. It's hard to overstate how impressive this figure is. To help put it in perspective, here are some big hitters that the GT outperforms:

 
• Mustang Shelby 500
 
• Camaro ZL1 1LE
 
• Corvette Stringray 1LT
 
• Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye

Hard to believe that an unassuming brand like Kia is putting up numbers like these, especially in an SUV. Then again, Kia has been on a roll lately, with both the K5 and Stinger receiving widespread acclaim.

Moving on, we have the GT-Line and Wind, which share the same battery pack as the GT but do not output nearly as much power. They're available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.

With AWD, this configuration generally achieves a 0-60 time around 4.5 seconds, exceptional for a mid-level EV. Opt for RWD and power is significantly diminished as only one electric motor gets used, which helps explain the relatively lackluster 6.5 second 0-60 time.

Lastly, there is the Light trim, which uses the smaller 58-kWh battery pack and is offered with rear-wheel drive. This specific trim has not been tested, however Kia estimates its 0-60 time to be 8.0 seconds.

Judging by how conservative Kia's estimates were with the other cars in the lineup, the 0-60 time for this trim is more likely to be around 7.5 seconds.

Kia EV6 0-60 Time vs Rivals

Recently we looked at how another EV SUV, the Nissan Ariya, stacked up to its competitors with regard to 0-60 times. It didn't do to well. The same can not be said for the EV6 however, which offers one of the most performant lineups in the segment.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Fastest trim in the Mustang Mach-E lineup is the GT Performance edition, which gets to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.

The mid-level Premium trim takes 4.9 seconds, with the slowest standard trim taking 6 seconds.

Choosing a definitive leader between these two is challenging. The Mach-E's entry-level options provide a more favorable price-to-performance ratio compared to those of the EV6. However, the situation reverses at the upper end of the spectrum, where the EV6 outperforms the Mach-E's Performance GT variant, and does so at a price that's $5,000 less.

Meanwhile in the middle, the GT-Line with AWD outperforms the Mach-E Premium, but is more expensive.

In essence, determining which vehicle delivers more value for your money depends on the specific segment of the lineup you're considering.

I will say that it is somewhat embarrassing for a car that carries the legendary Mustang badge to be upstaged by a bland looking Kia. 

Volkswagen ID.4

Next up we have the ID.4, which offers only 1 battery pack option. The AWD variant accelerates to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the rear-wheel drive variant is a full second slower.

This means both of the ID.4's offerings fit between the RWD GT-Line and the AWD GT-Line, in terms of performance.

They are both cheaper than their EV6 counterparts, making either of them an attractive alternative. However, if you value performance, the GT still smokes the ID.4's fastest offering by over a second and a half.

Nissan Ariya

Similar to the ID.4, the fastest Ariya has a 5 second 0-60 time. The rear-wheel drive variant of this same trim falls off hard, with a leisurely 7.5 second 0-60 time.

Both of these options are slower than the GT-Line, which demonstrates that Nissan wasn't very serious about offering competitive performance with this lineup.

Nissan's top-of-the-line Ariya Platinum+ e-4orce costs virtually the same as the GT as well, so its not like the lack of performance translates to cost savings.

Tesla Model Y

The Model Y has 3 different options, the entry-level Standard Range with RWD, the mid-level Long Range with AWD, and the Performance model with AWD.

The Standard hasn't been formally reviewed, but estimates put its 0-60 time in the high 6 second range. Meanwhile the Long Range has a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds, with the Performance getting there in just 3.7 seconds.

They're priced pretty competitively, undercutting their EV6 counterparts by around $5,000.

Conclusion

The GT is the standout trim in the EV6 lineup, outpacing all of its competition, at a price point that is pretty standard for its class.

The GT-Line with all-wheel drive is faster than most of the competitions mid-level offerings, with the rear-wheel drive being more or less in line with other entry-level options in the segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is the EV6 GT?

The Kia EV6 GT is remarkably fast, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. As far as top speed goes, Kia estimates it can reach speeds of up to 161 mph.

What is Kia's fastest electric car?

Kia EV6 GT holds the title as Kia's fastest electric car, with it getting to 60 mph over a second faster than the EV6 GT-Line and the Kia EV9.

What is the 0 to 60 for a Kia EV6 GT-Line?

The Kia EV6 GT-Line, particularly the AWD version, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 4.5 seconds. The RWD version is a bit slower, achieving the same in about 6.5 seconds.

Should I charge my EV6 every day?

Whether you should charge your Kia EV6 daily depends on your daily mileage and charging opportunities. It's not necessary to charge it daily if you do not deplete a significant portion of the battery each day.

Kia, like many manufacturers, recommends maintaining the battery between 20% and 80% charge for optimal battery health. You should align your charging routine with your usage pattern and available charging infrastructure.

Who is the competitor of the Kia EV6?

The Kia EV6 competes in a growing segment of electric crossovers and SUVs. Its main competitors are the Tesla Model Y (because of its performance and range), the Ford Mustang Mach-E (offering similar performance tiers and technological features), and the Volkswagen ID.4 (competing in the space of family-friendly electric SUVs).