Kia Delays 2026 EV6 GT Due to Tariff Challenges

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Kia has announced that it will delay the launch of the 2026 EV6 GT, one of its most anticipated electric vehicles, due to changing market conditions and tariff-related complications. The automaker stated that the delay does not impact the availability of other trims in the EV6 lineup, which are produced at its facility in West Point, Georgia.

Why it matters

The delay of the EV6 GT highlights the ongoing challenges automakers face in navigating tariffs and market conditions when importing high-performance electric vehicles. This decision could impact Kia's ability to offer a full range of EV options to U.S. consumers, at least in the short term.

The details

According to Kia, the decision to delay the EV6 GT was made due to the difficulty of importing the vehicle from Korea at a reasonable price point, likely as a result of the 25% tariff on South Korean vehicle imports. While Kia's other EV6 models are produced in the U.S. and avoid most tariff-related issues, the EV6 GT's previous $65,295 price point would make it challenging to sell at a competitive price if imported. The automaker is also delaying the launch of its upcoming compact electric sedan, the EV4, and hatchback, the EV3, in the U.S. until further notice.

• The 2026 Kia EV6 GT will be delayed until further notice as of March 2026.

What’s next

It remains unclear if the EV6 GT or the regular Ioniq 6 will return to U.S. showrooms for the 2027 model year, as most automakers delaying EVs due to tariffs have done so indefinitely, likely waiting for evolving rates.