US Car Reviews spent several days with the Kia EV6 GT-Line S 84.0kWh RWD in and around London, mixing dense city traffic, rainy motorways, and tight suburban streets to see how this mid-life update handles real-world use.
The result is a crossover EV that feels mature, thoroughly engineered, and quietly premium, without drifting into luxury-car pricing or pretension.
Design: modern without trying too hard
The refreshed EV6 leans into Kia’s “Modern Contrast” and “Opposites United” design language, and in GT-Line S trim it looks every bit the futuristic family hauler. At the front, the new Star Map signature lighting and sleeker daytime running lights give the car a bolder face, supported by sportier bumpers unique to GT-Line and GT-Line S models.
The profile is low and sleek for a crossover, helped by a long 2,900 mm wheelbase, short overhangs, and GT-Line S‑only 20‑inch alloy wheels that fill the arches without looking cartoonish. At the rear, a full-width light bar with Star Map elements visually stretches the car and ties in neatly with a wing-shaped bumper treatment that mirrors the front.
Paint choices in this trim include Wolf Grey, White Pearl, Interstellar Grey, Midnight Black, and Runway Red, all paired with gloss black exterior detailing for a subtle performance vibe. Flush door handles on the GT-Line S sit flush in normal driving and pop out when you approach, reinforcing the tech-forward feel.
Cabin, space, and everyday practicality
Inside, the EV6 GT-Line S goes for a horizontal, lounge-like feel, dominated by a panoramic curved display made up of twin 12.3‑inch screens that arc gently toward the driver. Kia has sensibly ditched most high-gloss piano black in favor of a brushed, textured finish, which looks upscale and is far better at hiding fingerprints.
GT-Line S models get black artificial suede upholstery with contrasting white artificial leather side bolsters, along with a supportive three-spoke steering wheel and metallic pedals to underscore the car’s sporty character. Ambient interior lighting highlights the width of the dash and doors, giving the cabin a relaxed, sophisticated glow on night drives around the M25.
On the practicality front, the E‑GMP platform’s fully flat floor makes the most of the footprint, with generous legroom in both rows and comfortable seating for five adults. Cargo space is up to 490 liters in the main boot, expanding to 1,290 liters with the rear seats folded, plus a front trunk that offers 52 liters of extra storage on RWD models.
Powertrain and range: long legs, fast charges
The heart of this GT-Line S RWD model is Kia’s fourth‑generation 84.0kWh battery, an upgrade over the earlier 77.4kWh pack that boosts both range and charging performance. In this configuration, the single rear motor delivers 225 bhp and 350 Nm of torque to the back wheels, good for 0–62 mph in 7.7 seconds and a 115 mph top speed.
Officially, the GT-Line S RWD is rated for up to 347 miles of WLTP combined range on a full charge, slightly less than lower-spec trims due to its larger wheels but still impressive for a family crossover. Efficiency is quoted at 3.7 miles per kWh on the WLTP cycle, which gives you a solid buffer for colder weather or fast motorway cruising.
The 800‑volt electrical architecture is the party trick, enabling ultra-rapid DC charging at up to a 258 kW peak with suitable hardware. Kia claims a 10–80% charge in just 18 minutes and up to 214 miles of range added in roughly 15 minutes, helped by improved thermal management and a slightly lighter battery than before.
On the road: London and beyond
In and around London, the EV6 GT-Line S RWD feels composed and predictable, with just enough engagement to remind you this is not a generic appliance. The low-mounted battery yields a low center of gravity, and the long wheelbase contributes to a planted, unflustered demeanor over broken city tarmac and on fast A‑roads.
Kia has fitted upgraded frequency-selective dampers that do a good job isolating sharp-edged bumps and expansion joints without turning the ride into a floaty mess. Steering is tuned for precision rather than hyperactivity, so lane changes on the M4 feel confident and natural, and the car tracks straight even in crosswinds.
Braking is a particular strong point: the pedal is tuned for a very linear, predictable response, integrating seamlessly with the car’s four-stage regenerative braking system. Using paddles behind the steering wheel, you can choose from several regen levels, including i-Pedal mode for near one-pedal driving in most scenarios, which proved ideal for stop‑and‑go traffic around central London.
Noise levels are impressively low, thanks to better rear motor sound insulation and careful isolation of road noise, which matters on coarse British motorway surfaces. At typical UK motorway speeds, the car settles into an easy, grand‑tourer‑like rhythm that makes longer trips feel shorter than they are.
Technology, UX, and connectivity
The EV6 is one of Kia’s most tech-heavy models, and the GT-Line S trim makes the most of that. The dual 12.3‑inch curved screens run Kia’s ccNC infotainment platform, supporting over‑the‑air software updates so core systems and features stay current long after you take delivery.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with Bluetooth and a full suite of connected services through Kia Connect for at least seven years. Via an integrated eSIM, the system can show live traffic, weather, EV charger locations and compatibility, plus on‑ and off‑street parking options with pricing and availability.
The GT-Line S trim also brings headline convenience features such as Kia Digital Key 2.0 and fingerprint recognition on the center console, allowing you to unlock, start, and personalize the car without a traditional key. The wireless phone charger is upgraded to a 15 W pad with an improved anti-slip compartment, and there are five USB‑C ports (three front, two rear) plus two 12 V sockets spread between cabin and trunk.
A 14‑speaker Meridian premium audio system with Active Sound Design is standard on GT-Line S, delivering crisp, powerful sound and allowing you to tailor synthetic EV sound profiles if you want more auditory feedback. The standard head-up display is fully customizable, projecting navigation directions, speed, and safety alerts onto the windshield for minimal eye movement.
Driver assistance and safety
Every EV6 ships with a rich suite of active safety and driver-assistance systems, and the GT-Line S sits at the top of that ladder. Standard kit includes Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist 2.0 with Hands-on Detection, Driver Attention Warning, and Highway Driving Assist.
GT-Line models add Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Safe Exit Warning, while the GT-Line S builds further with Highway Driving Assist 2.0, Blind‑spot View Monitor, and a 360‑degree surround view camera. It also gains Forward Collision Avoidance Assist capable of junction crossing, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Remote Smart Park Assist 2.0, letting you move the car in and out of tight spaces from outside using the key.
Passive safety is covered by a reinforced structure with stronger B‑pillars, multiple airbags (front, side, curtain, and a passenger airbag cut‑off), and standard ISOFIX mounts on the outer rear seats. The EV6 has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating, reflecting strong performance in crash protection and assistance technology.
Security features include a Thatcham category one alarm and immobiliser, deadlocks, speed-sensing auto door locking, and locking wheel nuts. A neat usability touch is a physical shortcut to mute the Intelligent Speed Limit Assist chime by pressing and holding the steering-wheel volume knob, so you are not hunting through menus while driving.
Trim and equipment: why GT-Line S?
All EV6 models are well equipped, with dual 12.3‑inch curved displays, keyless entry, dual‑zone climate control, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, and a reversing camera as standard. Stepping up to GT-Line adds sportier exterior and interior styling, relaxation seats, more advanced safety tech, wireless phone charging, and the option of AWD.
The GT-Line S, as tested, adds the features that make the EV6 feel truly premium on a daily basis: 20‑inch wheels, sunroof, automatic flush door handles, heated outer rear seats, and ventilated front seats. It further includes electric steering wheel adjustment, a smart power tailgate, the Meridian audio system, head-up display, 360‑degree cameras, and the full suite of advanced parking and collision-avoidance systems.
An optional heat pump is available on GT-Line S variants, helping preserve range in colder climates by scavenging waste heat from the coolant system. For EV owners in cooler parts of the UK or those planning frequent winter road trips, this is a worthwhile box to tick.
Ownership, warranty, and running costs
One of the EV6’s biggest aces is Kia’s signature seven‑year/100,000‑mile warranty, which covers the whole vehicle and is transferable to subsequent owners. The high-voltage battery receives separate coverage of eight years or 100,000 miles, reassuring those worried about long‑term EV durability.
There is also a 12‑year anti‑perforation warranty and a five‑year paint warranty, which should help the car age gracefully in salty winter conditions. Service intervals for all EV6 variants, including this GT-Line S RWD, are every 20,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, helping keep time off the road to a minimum.
Kia’s “Promise” program adds perks like complimentary seven‑day insurance, Insurance Excess Return for a year, online service booking, and Accident AfterCare. New owners also get 12 months of roadside assistance, which can be upgraded to a more comprehensive Kia Roadside Assistance Plus package via MyKia for extended European cover.
Verdict: EV you can grow into, not out of
The Kia EV6 GT-Line S 84.0kWh RWD is not trying to be the fastest or flashiest EV on sale, but it nails the blend of range, comfort, tech, and usability that matters in the real world. On crowded London streets and long UK motorway hauls, it feels calm, confident, and genuinely easy to live with, while offering enough style and performance to keep keen drivers engaged.
Add in ultra-rapid charging, a strong safety and technology package, and Kia’s class-leading warranty, and this GT-Line S spec emerges as the sweet spot in the EV6 lineup for drivers who want near‑premium refinement without premium‑brand downsides. For many buyers, this is the kind of EV that could quietly replace the family crossover and make them wonder why they waited so long to plug in.
2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line S 84.0lWh RWD specifications
Kia EV6 GT-Line S 84.0kWh RWD – on-the-road price (UK): £53,735, insurance group: 37E, service intervals: 24 months / 20,000 miles, example spec: Runway Red, GT-Line S trim
Drivetrain and performance
Single-motor rear-wheel drive, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, max power 225 hp (277 kW) at 4,600–9,200 rpm, max torque 350 Nm at 0–4,400 rpm, 0–62 mph in 7.7 seconds, top speed 115 mph
Battery and electrical system
84.0 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, nominal voltage 697 V, capacity 120.6 Ah, 384 cells in total, battery weight 476.2 kg, battery mounted under the cabin floor
Range and efficiency
Combined WLTP range 347 miles, city WLTP range 466 miles, combined energy consumption 3.7 miles/kWh, city energy consumption 4.9 miles/kWh
Charging
AC 230 V / 12 A (10–100%) 34 hours 40 minutes, AC 230 V / 48 A (10–100%) 7 hours 35 minutes, DC 50 kW (10–80%) 1 hour 16 minutes, DC 350 kW (10–80%) 18 minutes
Chassis and tires
Front suspension MacPherson multi-link, rear suspension 5-arm multi-link, 20‑inch alloy wheels with 255/45 R20 tires
Dimensions – exterior
Length 4,695 mm, wheelbase 2,900 mm, width 1,890 mm, height 1,550 mm, front overhang 845 mm, rear overhang 950 mm
Weights and capacities
Curb weight 2,065 kg, gross vehicle weight 2,495 kg, maximum braked trailer weight 1,800 kg, maximum tow ball weight 100 kg, rear cargo capacity 480 liters (seats up), front cargo capacity (frunk) 52 liters, minimum turning circle 11.62 m
Exterior features and lighting
20‑inch alloy wheels, GT-Line exterior styling, privacy glass on rear windows and tailgate, solar glass windshield, body-colored automatic exterior flush door handles, power-adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors with LED turn signals and gloss black finish, rear spoiler, automatic headlight control, rain-sensing front wipers, heated rear window, LED daytime running lights, dual LED headlights with Adaptive Driving Beam, LED taillights and LED rear fog lights, Dynamic Welcome Light, high-gloss black beltline and door garnish with body-color wheel arches
Interior design and comfort
GT-Line interior styling, black artificial suede seats with white artificial leather bolsters, front heated and ventilated seats, front relaxation seats, heated outer rear seats, power driver’s seat with memory function and lumbar support, power front passenger seat with lumbar support, heated and power-adjustable 3‑spoke GT-Line artificial leather steering wheel, one-touch power windows front and rear, metal-painted interior door handles, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, automatic climate control with automatic defog function, alloy pedals, engine start/stop button with smart key entry, smart power tailgate, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors for driver and front passenger
Storage, versatility and interior lighting
52‑liter frunk, 60:40 split remote-folding rear seats, ski pass-through, center console with storage box, rear center armrest with cup holders, LED front cabin, rear and cargo area lights, cargo cover, cargo floor and net hooks, frunk LED lights, customizable ambient interior lighting, illuminated glove box, 12 V power outlets in front and cargo area, front and rear door storage, tire mobility kit, Vehicle-to-Load capability with adapter and 3‑prong household-style outlet
Audio, communication and information
12.3‑inch curved driver display screen, 12.3‑inch curved touchscreen navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, one front USB‑C port for media, two front USB‑C charging ports, two rear USB‑C charging ports, Meridian premium audio system with 14 speakers, Active Sound Design, customizable head-up display (HUD), wireless smartphone charging pad, digital key and fingerprint recognition, eCall emergency system, over-the-air (OTA) update capability, complimentary 7‑year Kia Connect connected services
Active safety and driving dynamics
Front, side and rear parking sensors, rearview camera system, 360‑degree surround view monitor, Blind-spot View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Remote Smart Parking Assist 2.0, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0 for city, pedestrian, cyclist and junction turning/crossing, Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go, Highway Driving Assist 2.0 with Hands-On Detection, Lane Keep Assist 1.0, Lane Follow Assist 2.0 with Hands-On Detection, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist with long-press volume button to mute, Hill-Start Assist Control, Dynamic Brake Control, regenerative braking paddle shifters with i-Pedal one-pedal driving function, Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Parking Brake with auto-hold function, Anti-lock Braking System with Emergency Stop Signaling, Electronic Stability Control, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Occupant Alert, available heat pump
Passive safety and security
Front, rear, side and curtain airbags, front passenger airbag cut-off switch, 3‑point seatbelts all around with height-adjustable front seatbelts and headrests, ISOFIX/LATCH-style child seat top tethers and lower anchors on the outer rear seats, manual rear child locks, configurable automatic door locking and unlocking, Thatcham category 1 security alarm and immobilizer with interior monitoring, smart key with motion sensor, locking lug nuts, visible VIN
Warranty and assistance
7‑year / 100,000‑mile vehicle warranty, 8‑year / 100,000‑mile high-voltage battery warranty, 12‑year / unlimited mileage anti-perforation warranty, 5‑year / 100,000‑mile paint warranty, 1‑year Kia roadside assistance (extendable through Kia programs)
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Photos: US Car Reviews