Kia EV6 GT Suspended in US Due to 25% Import Tariffs

Kia has suspended sales of the EV6 GT in the United States due to 25% import tariffs on vehicles imported from South Korea. This decision affects only the high-performance version, which costs over $65,000, while other variants, assembled in Georgia, remain available.

"Due to evolving market conditions, the 2026 EV6 GT is postponed until further notice." — Kia America

Tariffs That Change the Game

The EV6 GT is temporarily disappearing from the American market for a simple reason: import tariffs. Unlike the standard EV6 versions assembled at the Kia plant in West Point, Georgia, the GT is produced in South Korea. It is therefore subject to a 25% import tax, making its price even less competitive.

With a base MSRP of $65,275 including destination for the 2025 model year, the EV6 GT was already brushing up against $80,000 once equipped. The tariffs make this commercial proposition even harder to defend against competitors like the Cadillac Lyriq-V.

A Formidable GT Version Nonetheless

The EV6 GT is not just a simple sporty badge slapped onto an electric crossover. With its 641 horsepower (650 PS by European standards), it rivals benchmarks like the Tesla Model S Plaidticle/tesla-model-s-la-chine-interdit-le-volant-yoke-des-2027) Plaid or certain Porsche electrics. Its 800V architecture allows it to recharge from 10 to 80% in under 20 minutes on compatible chargers.

This suspension doesn't only affect the United States. In Germany, sites like Carwow are currently offering the EV6 GT with discounts reaching €14,000, for a final price of €55,983 instead of €69,990. These discounts reveal the model's commercial difficulties even in Europe.

The Used Market Becomes More Accessible

Faced with this situation, the used market becomes the most interesting option for acquiring an EV6 GT. In the United States, some used examples are now trading for the price of a new Honda Civic, according to the site CarBuzz. A boon for electric performance enthusiasts.

In France, the 2026 EV6 range starts at €43,950 for the Air version with a 63 kWh battery and 170 horsepower. The long-range version with an 84 kWh battery and 229 horsepower is listed at €47,450. These prices remain competitive against the Tesla Model Y and other BMW iX3.

What Strategy for Kia?

This commercial pause raises questions about Kia's strategy in the premium electric segment. The Korean manufacturer could consider relocating production of the EV6 GT to the American plant, as it did for the standard versions. But this would require significant investment and time.

The EV6 remains, technically, one of the most accomplished electric crossovers on the market. Its E-GMP platform, shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Genesis GV60, offers an 800V architecture that is rare in this price category. Fast charging and performance are delivered.

An Uncertain Future for the GT

Kia has not communicated a precise timeline for the return of the EV6 GT to the American market. The decision de