Kia is upping its electric game with the 2023 EV6. This stylish compact SUV has a lot going for it, and it’s ranked as No. 1 out of 23 compact SUVs reviewed in J.D. Power’s 2023 APEAL Study. Several factors helped the Kia EV6 achieve such high status in a crowded market, but these three categories stand out the most.

Which categories are included in the J.D. Power APEAL Study?

When J.D. Power sends out its annual Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study, there are 10 categories that it wants to know about. These include the powertrain, exterior styling, driving feel, feeling of safety, driving comfort, interior design, setting up and starting, getting in and out, fuel economy, and infotainment. People like Kia EV6 owners can rank which categories they like the most and which they are least impressed with. 

For the 2023 Kia EV6, the powertrain, exterior styling, and driving feel were the top three categories they enjoyed the most. Getting in and out, the fuel economy, and the infotainment system came in last as what they liked the least.

Kia EV6 owners love the powertrain

The 2023 Kia EV6 offers a range of powertrains that differ depending on the configuration. If you choose the rear-wheel drive option, you’ll get 225 hp. The all-wheel drive option has 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. 

The GT offers even more power, with 576 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque. This makes the 2023 Kia EV6 GT more powerful than the Tesla Model Y, which is quite an accomplishment. 

The 77.4-kWh battery offers 310 miles of range when paired with RWD. This number drops to 282 miles or 252 miles if you go for AWD. While the GT model is a blast to drive, the range falls even further to a mere 206 miles. Still, that’s more than adequate as a daily driver. If you plan on going on a road trip, you’ll need to be careful while planning out a route to ensure you hit plenty of charging stations, but it shouldn’t be a major issue.

The exterior styling is another high point

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but no one has ever said that about a car. It’s the first thing that people see, and while some ugly cars find love from car buyers, for the most part, everyone wants a stylish-looking car. The 2023 Kia EV6 owners feel like this EV certainly delivers on this.

The 2023 Kia EV6 looks very modern and futuristic. From the car doors that don’t jut out to the bold colors, it demands to be looked at. It has a slick, appealing look that makes the EV6 look like it was built for speed.

The driving feel is a point that Kia EV6 owners are a fan of

If you like speed, then you’ll love the 2023 Kia EV6. The GT trim can go from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds, while some other subcompact SUVs are lucky to do so in seven. The ride is smooth and exhilarating when you really push the EV6 GT to its limits. 

J.D. Power did mention that the EV6 can occasionally have a “jittery, noisy ride in some situations,” but it’s not enough to get truly annoying. This is in large part thanks to the sharp handling and ability to take curves with ease. 

J.D. Power reviewers were also pleased at how quickly the EV6 GT can accelerate and the fact that the brakes can bring it to a stop when necessary. It has a smooth, comfortable ride and doesn’t feel jarring while accelerating.

If you’re interested in a new EV and can afford it, the EV6 is an excellent choice.