Kia's new electric SUV is the stylish, super-quick competitor of Elon Musk's nightmares — but it has one big downside

• I drove the EV6 GT, Kia's new super-quick electric SUV. 
• It's incredibly fun to drive and turns heads everywhere it goes. But it lacks range. 
• The 2023 EV6 GT Kia lent me came out to roughly $63,000, including a destination fee. 

The media loves to exaggerate and call every promising new electric car a "Tesla killer." So far, these declarations haven't panned out. Elon Musk's carmaker is still standing and its vehicles remain America's most popular electric options by a long shot.

But as car companies get serious about abandoning gas tanks and crankshafts, an increasing number of exciting EVs actually stand a chance of denting Musk's empire. 

Kia's $63,000 EV6 GT is a prime example. The new, high-performance version of Kia's little SUV serves up vision-blurring quickness, a stylish interior, and head-turning style. But it comes up short in one key area. 

What stands out: Unique looks and adrenaline-pumping acceleration

Rather than fading into the background with all the other little SUVs, the EV6's dramatic curves and distinct flair ensure it puts on a show wherever it goes. Its unusual proportions and exaggerated features combine to create something oddly gorgeous — kind of like Adam Driver.

The EV6 looks like it just touched down from another planet. And, fittingly, it can blast to warp speed like the Millennium Falcon. Thanks to beefier motors than those found in other EV6 models, the all-wheel-drive GT serves up a whopping 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. Kia claims it scorches to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.

Clicking into GT mode using a radioactive-green button on the steering wheel unleashes every ounce of the SUV's grunt and ensures thrills for all. In that setting, even the slightest poke of the accelerator sends the SUV urgently shooting forward. Smash it for more than an instant and you find yourself barreling into the distance like a missile. Before flooring it, warn your passengers to brace themselves and pray they ate a light lunch. 

Sharp steering and tight handling around corners add to the excitement, the only downside being a jittery, stiff ride at times. 

The GT's sporty bucket seats hug you and keep you in place, while a smattering of bright-green accents added to an already-stylish interior remind you this is no ordinary EV6. The EV6's seats aren't high up and upright like other SUVs, but there's plenty of room in front and in back, even for tall people. Since the EV6 rides on a brand-spanking-new electric platform, Kia was able to create a flat floor and maximize interior space.

What falls short: Range

The big tug-of-war in EVs is generally between range and performance. Physics-defying zero-to-60-mph sprints drain a lot of energy at once, while extended highway journeys require conserving it. 

Since Kia gave the EV6 GT more power but not a bigger battery, it suffers from a disappointing EPA range of just 206 miles. The Tesla Model Y Performance rates at 303, while the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT comes in at 270. The EV6 GT would be much more compelling if it matched those numbers.

However, refueling stops should be brief thanks to the SUV's ultra-fast charging capability, which supposedly yields a 10-80% charge in just 18 minutes (at sufficiently powerful stations). And anyone who loves the EV6 but needs more range will be pleased to learn that non-GT models can travel 310 miles per charge (and cost less).

At $63,000, the EV6 GT ain't cheap. A Model Y Performance will run you more than $10,000 less thanks to a $7,500 tax credit, which the Kia doesn't qualify for. 

Our impressions

The 2023 Kia EV6 GT is a unique, adrenaline-inducing ball of energy that makes you feel outrageously cool while behind the wheel. But look elsewhere if range is your top priority.