The 2023 Kia EV6 is one of the best electric vehicles on the market today. With rave reviews from automotive media outlets, it’s no doubt that this Kia EV is one of the most impressive vehicles ever produced by the South Korean company. The Kia EV6 is a true winner.

The Kia EV6 GT, which stands as the top-of-the-line model in the EV6 lineup, is such a great vehicle that it merits a head-to-head battle with the Tesla Model Y. However, a Kia EV6 GT is priced at $10,000 more than a Tesla Model Y as of May 2023. Is the EV6 GT truly worth the extra price over a Tesla Model Y? Here is everything you need to know about the Kia EV6 GT and how it stands up against the Tesla Model Y.

2023 Kia EV6 GT – price, specs, and features

The 2023 Kia EV6 Wind, which acts as the base model, starts at $48,700 MSRP, but is only equipped with a 225-hp powertrain. The Kia EV6 GT, however, which is the top-of-the-line EV6 model, produces around 576 hp with its dual motor, all-wheel drive setup. The Kia EV6 GT starts at $61,600 MSRP, according to Kia, but for that price, you are getting one of the sportiest EVs on the market today.

When it comes to features, the Kia EV6 GT comes with a wireless phone charger, 12.3-inch panoramic displays, an augmented reality heads-up display, a surround-view mirror, smart cruise control with stop-and-go capabilities, and a whole list of safety technology features.

How does the Tesla Model Y compare to the Kia EV6 GT?

According to Tesla, the Tesla Model Y comes in three main models as of May 2023, including the Model Y, Model Y Long Range, and the Model Y Performance. The Tesla Model Y starts at $47,490 MSRP for the base model, $50,490 MSRP for the Long Range model, and $54,490 MSRP for the Performance model. The base model produces around 271 hp, while the Long Range model produces around 425 hp, and the performance model is estimated to produce around 455 hp. When it comes to power, the Kia EV6 GT has the Tesla lineup beat with its 576 hp and over 500 lb-ft of torque.

The 2023 Kia EV6 is also a little more intuitive in the interior than the Tesla Model Y, which has virtually every control of the car hidden in the enormous center touchscreen. The Kia EV6 offers big, panoramic displays, while still offering industry standards like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, unlike Tesla.

The EV6 also has traditional analog knob controls for air conditioning controls and other features that drivers would rather have tactile controls for, which is a big advantage for the EV6. The EV6 also has faster charging than the Tesla Model Y. The EV6 can charge at speeds up to 350 kW, while the Tesla Model Y is limited to just 250 kW.

Which is the better EV choice?

Ultimately, the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 GT are both fantastic crossover EVs, but some consumers may find one more appealing. The Kia EV6 GT offers faster charging but a lower real-world range than the Tesla Model Y. The EV6 GT offers more intuitive controls with more mainstream automotive industry features, while the Tesla boasts its unique control hub. The Kia EV6 GT is much more powerful than the Tesla Model Y,  but at the expense of nearly 100 miles of range, is it worth the trade-off?

In this writer’s opinion, the 2023 Kia EV6 GT is a much better buy than the Tesla Model Y. Of course, the EV6 GT costs more, but the EV6 is a powerful, dynamically different electric vehicle. Tesla makes fantastic vehicles, there is no doubt about that, but over the years, Tesla models have become the new Toyota Camry of the automotive industry, and with Tesla’s slow-to-change design language, the Model Y can look dated in some respects.

In some situations, the Model Y’s design can look like an iPhone 4 being used in 2023. It’s not a bad vehicle at all, but if you have performance as a priority and you want to be seen in something dynamically different, the Kia EV6 GT is well worth the extra cost when compared to the Tesla Model Y.