Thursday 8th January

Kia launches trio of 300hp EV GTs

650hp EV6 GT a bit much? Virtual Gear Shift, neon accents and sportier chassis now make it to EV3, 4 and 5

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Believe it or not, there have now been GT-badged Kias for almost 15 years now. The original Cee’d and ProCee’d GT hatchback didn’t exactly set the world alight, but as smart and stylish warm hatches they weren’t half bad. The performance sub-brand has grown slowly but surely since then, perhaps most famously with the lovable Stinger GT-S, then the EV6 GT and EV9 GT - the former now with 650hp, don’t forget. 

Today, nearly as many new Kia GTs have been announced as have ever existed: an EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT means there’s a performance flagship throughout the electric lineup, all the way to the £80k ‘9. Kia says all three ‘combine advanced hardware with intelligent, software-driven features to deliver driving excitement.’

As with the other electric GTs, the new trio are all-wheel drive, the pair of motors supplied by an 81.4kWh battery in 3, 4 and 5. Power is rated at 215kW (292hp) for the 3 and 4, then 225kW (306hp) in the larger 5. All scoot to 62mph in around six seconds. Not power-crazed crossovers like the 6 and 9, then, if comparable with cars like the 340hp Enyaq vRS.

There’s more than just power, some neon bits and snazzy 20-inch wheels to the new Kias, too. As has become familiar from other GTs, there’s a dedicated driving mode for ‘a more focused and immersive driving character’ thanks to changes to the steering, suspension and throttle response. The Virtual Gear Shift technology that’s made such a difference to the driving experience of electric cars on this E-GMP platform is also standard. Active sound design aims to complement the virtual changes with a ‘progressive digital soundscape that amplifies excitement.’ Let’s hope it’s more towards the Ioniq 5 N side of the scale rather than the ever-so-slightly disappointing EV6 GT application. 

The interior of the EV3, EV4 and EV5 get familiar Kia GT bits, including sportier seats and wheel, the neon contrast stitching and model-specific ambient lighting. As with every VW GTI getting tartan, there are now a few hallmarks to recognise on a Kia GT. What worked for the EV6 seems to suit everywhere else, too. 

Production of the new models is due to begin in the second quarter of this year, so expect information on prices and availability a little after that. There’s plenty GT-badged in the classifieds to distract in the meantime: the Cee’d still looks quite smart (as well as cheap) in three- and five-door form, some legend actually bought a yellow Stinger with the V6, and the original 585hp EV6 GT is now from less than £30k.  

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• 2025 Kia EV6 GT | PH Review
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | PH Favourite Cars 2024

 

[AndrewNR]

Kia finally following the Audi/BMW naming convention?

[Xenoous]

Wow, they all look absolutely terrible.

[theicemario]

3 crossover blobs in shades of grey. How exciting. Is this really PistonHeads or have I somehow logged into Mumsnet?



This one looks especially rubbish. Awful proportions.

[georgeyboy12345]

There’s a misprint in the article here - I think you mean “SUVs”, rather than GTs.

[Earthdweller]

Looks like a Lego car

[CLK-GTR]

Those look awful. 3 versions of the same bland crossover that somebody has stretched the dimensions of a couple of times. Is that the best they can do?

[Deranged Rover]

These are very cool, stylish and not like anything else out there I've ever seen before. The future for people who love fabulous cars is very exciting!!!

[Jordan247]

I quite like the EV4

[Gary29]

They all look the same to me, can't tell them apart.

Car styling has gone in a terrible direction in general, especially with these EV boxes.

[Downward]

Xenoous said:

Wow, they all look absolutely terrible.

Yet nicer than the BMW I series

[CMTMB]

I like them. Decent amount of power without being silly.

[biggbn]

Really like this 'family' look, trying to be different than the usual amorphous blob...I'd love the big EV9, what a machine

[Dave Hedgehog]

biggbn said:

Really like this 'family' look, trying to be different than the usual amorphous blob...I'd love the big EV9, what a machine

i will be keeping my eye on the EV9 GT prices, hopefully they will dump 50k in 12 months

3k miles, full 7 year warranty 52k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Friday 9th January 15:17

[nismo48]

Xenoous said:

Wow, they all look absolutely terrible.

Have to agree, nothing really interesting or stands out at all.

[kambites]

Meh. There's nothing wrong with them compared to other modern mainstream cars, but there's very much damning with faint praise. I can't imagine how anyone can look at any mainstream car released in the last few years and see anything other than "vile".

Being Kia EVs, I'm sure they'll be streets ahead of anything coming our of Europe, from a technical standpoint, and they're at least no uglier so I suppose they deserve to sell.

[Robertb]

The state of the EV5... even BMW's design team would draw the line at that.

[M1C]

Jordan247 said:

I quite like the EV4

Me too! I rather like it. Looks great in the metal, i pass a dealer almost daily.

The EV5....i find....a mixture of bland and ungainly proportions. The EV3 i think is quite good looking. And the new EV2....i like it! Nice stance!

[fflump]

Jordan247 said:

I quite like the EV4

The EV4 is definitely the best of a bad bunch, lacking the plastic slab of a front end. I don’t like the angular design theme in these cars at all.

[Crumpet]

Dave Hedgehog said:

i will be keeping my eye on the EV9 GT prices, hopefully they will dump 50k in 12 months

3k miles, full 7 year warranty 52k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510297...

Edited by Dave Hedgehog on Friday 9th January 15:17

I remember watching reviews claiming ‘better than a Range Rover’ and being somewhat dubious having seen their other offerings.

Then I went in a couple…….they’re not even close! I don’t even know why you’d even make that comparison. I think it’s why there are very few automotive journalists I actually listen to as most seem to be paid off by the brands.

Don’t get me wrong, it seemed pretty decent, but a Range Rover it was not. As for these GTs, I’m sure they’re fine.

[fooman]

First one looks ok, but could do with a splash of colour