SO, YOU'VE GOT $100K burning a hole in your pocket and you want to go fast. Real fast.
Turns out, you can crack the ton in under four seconds for that outlay- and not by buying some spine-compressing rally rocket or depreciated exotica. No, you can go that fast in SUVs with space for five adults in comfort.
For that, we can thank the instant output and efficiency of electric motors, but as Wheels readers will know, outright speed is not enough. In fact, it gets boring pretty quickly. Performance cars - which the Tesla Model Y Performance and Kia EV6 GT profess to be - must deliver more than just face-melting acceleration.
The flagship Kia EV6 GT has plenty going for it on paper. Its twin electric motors churn out 430kW to get it to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds - and that's backed up by ensconcing bucket seats, Australian-tuned adaptive dampers, and a clever torque-vectoring limited-slip rear differential.
Tesla's Model Y Performance? As usual, it's devoid of any official outputs, leaving us with only Tesla's 0-100km/h claim of 3.7 seconds, and 514km WLTP driving range.
For half the price, both tested cars eclipse an Audi RS6 in a straight line, but which is best? Additionally, for nearly $30K more, are these hi-po battery bandits really better than the more prosaic variants on which they are based? In terms of pricing, the Kia and are Tesla are neatly aligned.
The EV6 GT starts at $99,950 before on-road costs, while the Model Y Performance is a little cheaper at $98,955.
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Wheels Australia Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2023 edition of Wheels Australia Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ROUGH DIAMONDS
GO OUT AND SEE AUSTRALIA. BUY ONE OF THESE AND YOU'LL MAKE IT HOME TOO
WORK IN PROGRESS
WHEN YOUR LIVELIHOOD DEPENDS ON IT, DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES
RABID RESPONSE
EVEN IF YOU'RE PULLING IN THE FINANCIAL HORNS, YOU WON'T NEED TO COMPROMISE ON FUN
PREMIUM BLEND
HERE'S HOW TO ENJOY CHAMPAGNE ON A VAGUELY BEERY BUDGET
GO LARGE, SAVE BIG
WE BRING YOU A SELECTION OF LARGE FAMILY SUVS THAT ARE UNLIKELY TO BREAK THE BANK
MIDDLE CLASS
THE AUSSIE FAMILY DREAM USED TO BE A QUARTER ACRE AND A PICKET FENCE. NOW IT'S A LITTLE MORE MODEST
SHORTY AWARDS
VALUE FOR MONEY CAN BE A RARE COMMODITY AMONG SMALL SUVS. HERE ARE THREE THAT ANSWER THE CALL
MID SIZE MAX VALUE
THE MEDIUM RANGE SECTOR IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF GETTING ALOT OF CAR FOR YOUR DOLLAR
HATCH MATCH
WANT A HATCH THAT'LL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR DIAL SECOND TIME ROUND? TRY THESE...
MODE ΤΟ ΤΟΥ
PORSCHE'S LATEST HOT 911 IS THE NEW FRONTIER FOR ON-THEFLY CHASSIS ADJUSTABILITY, OFFERING THE DRIVER A WORLD OF CONFIGURATION - BUT IS IT WORTH THE HASSLE?