The EV6 is one of the most successful EVs made today. While sales figures have taken a hit of late, it’s still a compelling compact EV that exhibits more verve and personality than most in the segment. Having been refreshed for the 2025 model year, the EV6 looks sharper and also has improved tech and a bigger battery, resulting in more range. Sadly, Kia also killed off the impressively quick EV6 GT due to poor sales.
Its sportiest trim level is now the GT-Line trim, which adds a more aggressive exterior treatment, larger wheels, distinctive lighting details, and sportier interior touches that make the EV6 feel more upscale and athletic. The GT-Line strikes an appealing middle ground between the standard EV6 trims and the far more aggressive high-performance EV6 GT.
Standard feature highlights included 20″ alloy wheels with black finish, GT-Line exterior styling, LED headlights/taillights/DRLs, rear roof spoiler, smart power liftgate, heated/power-folding mirrors w/ LED turn signals, dual-zone automatic climate control, 12.3″ dual panoramic displays w/ navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless phone charger, Wi-Fi hotspot, remote start, GT-Line heated SynTex flat-bottom steering wheel, heated rear seats, sunroof, power tilt & telescopic steering wheel, LED ambient lighting, alloy sport pedals, heated & ventilated front seats, SynTex seat trim, Meridian premium audio, and a head-up display.
My tester’s base price was $53,000. With options and the $1,545 destination fee, the total price came to $54,785.
Exterior & Interior Styling – 9/10
The 2026 EV6 GT-Line receives a noticeable styling refresh, though the overall silhouette remains largely the same, and that’s a good thing. A restyled bumper, sharper headlights, and a revised full-width taillight, one of the EV6’s best styling elements. TKia reshaped the front fascia with slimmer vertical lighting signatures and a more angular nose that gives the vehicle a cleaner, more futuristic appearance. he front end is a little busier now, but the overall look amounts to more aggression. The model also gets new wheel designs to help update the look. It’s a combination of hatchback, crososver, and wagon.
The EV6’s is what sets it apart in the electric crossover segment, giving it a sleek profile without sacrificing practicality. The, sharply sloping nose, long wheelbase, short overhangs, and shooting-brake tail section give it strong visual presence, while the full-width rear lighting and sharply sculpted surfaces look like they belong on a pricey exotic. Count on Kia to make a strong statement that other automakers haven’t tried at this price. My tester got plenty of looks and questions from bystanders about what I was driving. Some were genuinely surprised it was a Kia.
The GT-Line trim enhances the EV6’s stance with unique front and rear fascias, gloss-black exterior accents, larger alloy wheels, and sportier detailing that set it apart from the rest of the EV6 lineup. For example, the GT-Line gets large black cutouts with slim red reflectors on the rear valance, which help it look wider from the back. While the GT-Line doesn’t have the power of the now-gone EV6 GT, it certainly comes close to looking the part.
Inside, the GT-Line feels noticeably more premium than earlier EV6 models. The cabin design is clean and modern, with dual curved displays stretching across the dashboard and a floating center console that creates an open, airy feeling. I love the new steering wheel with its squircle shape, angular center hub, and chunky thumb cutouts. The door cards are simple, if not a bit boring, but they fit the ethos of the EV6. The two-tone GT-Line seats with embroidery in the headrests also look proper for the modern EV.
The GT-Line trim adds trim-specific interior badging, contrast stitching, metallic trim accents, and upgraded materials that give it a more upscale look. The interior style is consistent with the rest of Kia’s lineup, and it’s aging more than gracefully with a minimalist but edgy look that’s been bolstered by the new steering wheel and the better infotainment and instrumentation.
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Infotainment & Technology – 8.5/10
Kia continues to offer one of the better infotainment systems in the industry, and the updated EV6 improves upon an already strong setup. Dual curved 12.3″ displays dominate the dashboard, combining the digital gauge cluster and central touchscreen into one expansive panel. Menus are intuitive, and the graphics look high-end. It might as well show up in a BMW. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto pairing and integration work without issue, while the head-up display projects navigation and driver-assistance information directly into the driver’s line of sight. It’s clear and easy to adjust.
Driver-assistance technology is comprehensive and includes adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist systems, which all operate smoothly and predictably.
Comfort, Space, and Usability – 8.5/10
The cabin of the EV6 GT-Line is remarkably accommodating. The sporty front seats have great bolstering and the right amount of cushioning. Adjustability is very good, too. The seating position feels slightly lower and more car-like than a traditional SUV, giving it a sportier driving experience. Visibility over the sloping nose is excellent, making tight spots easy to manage. Front-seat comfort is excellent, while rear passengers benefit from a generous 39 inches legroom thanks to the EV-specific platform that provides a long 114.2″ wheelbase (almost as long as a Tesla Model Y) and a totally flat floor.
Despite the GT-Line’s sportier appearance and larger wheels, the suspension tuning makes it not just everyday livable but actually remarkably comfortable over pavement imperfections and gaps. It’s just as good in urban environments as it is on long stretches of highway cruising. I enjoyed tossing it around running errands and driving my kids to and from school, as well as on evening outings.
The split-function touch panel just below the center stack’s vents are polarizing. While it saves space by allowing the driver to toggle between audio controls and climate controls, it can get annoying to have to make the switch while driving. At least you can program the default setting for the controls you use the most, and there are two physical knobs for adjustments, which makes it easier to make adjustments without looking.
Kyle Edward
The 50.2 cubic feet of cargo space is wide and flat, though the sloping rear roofline slightly limits ultimate storage capacity compared to boxier competitors. Still, the hatchback layout provides good flexibility, and the under floor tray is a few inches deep for smaller and flatter items. The frunk (front trunk) is only capable of housing a small bag due to its 0.7 cubic foot capacity. Storage throughout the cabin is thoughtfully designed. The floating center console creates useful storage underneath, and there are enough cubbies and compartments to make everyday use convenient.
Driving Experience – 9/10
The EV6 GT-Line is a fun EV to drive. It’s quick (0-60 in 4.5 seconds) thanks to a powerful 320 horses and 446 lb-ft of torque and all-wheel drive. The steering feels sharp and responsive, and it corners flat and with good balance despite its significant 4,647-pound curb weight. It actually feels nimble and manueverable. The regen braking performance is are strong and easy to modulate, while steering-wheel paddles allow drivers to fine-tune the regen levels. The car’s I-Pedal allows for one-pedal driving, which which works well in traffic.
When it comes to charging, the EV6 makes daily use easy. It gets 10 to 80 percent charged in 20 minutes or less on a 350-kW DC fast charger. 270 miles of range for the GT-Line AWD trim doesn’t blow your socks off, but it’s more than livable with fast charging and/or a Level 2 home charger. You can, effectively, get from 27 miles to 216 miles of range on your lunch break and still have plenty of time to eat.
Final Verdict – 8.75/10
The 2026 Kia EV6 GT-Line blends style, technology, comfort, and performance into one impressive EV package. The GT-Line trim is the most powerful and most attractive version of the model. It delivers the sportier appearance and upscale interior many buyers want without sacrificing ride quality or practicality. There are competitors with longer range figures or larger cargo areas, but few electric crossovers feel as cohesive and well-rounded as the EV6 GT-Line.
About the author
Amos Kwon
Contributing Writer, Autoblog