At the start of their journey in the automotive world, electric vehicles were quite far removed from the world of performance. Their priority was eco-friendliness, efficiency, and low costs: all “boring but useful” factors not typically associated with a high-performance car. In recent years, however, things have changed. Hybrid supercars introduced the idea of electrification as a way to boost performance, and even fully electric powertrains have been explored as a potential way for automakers to create faster and more exciting vehicles.
Today, there are several high-performance EVs to choose from on the market. Many of them combine performance and practicality, offering enough space to transport a family alongside performance metrics that were the domain of supercars a couple of decades ago. We are taking a closer look at two such models, the Kia EV6 GT and the Tesla Model Y Performance.
These models are both practical daily drivers with a bit more edge, thanks to performance-oriented powertrains that set them apart from their respective base-trim versions. However, if you’re shopping for a new car and considering buying one of them, you might be wondering which one is most likely to hold its value over the years.
EVs are notoriously more prone to depreciation; as a result, prospective owners are more likely to take this factor into account when making their decision as a result. Here is what you can expect from these electric rivals, in terms of both features and pricing.
The EV6 GT And The Model Y Performance: Pricing Data And Trends
2025 Kia EV6 GT sideKia
The depreciation rates for the Kia EV6 GT and the Tesla Model Y Performance are fairly similar, however the Tesla has a slight advantage. According to CarEdge, both models lose around 60% of their value within the first three years of ownership. For the Kia, the prices available on the used market confirm that data point; however, the prices for the Tesla indicated a slightly lower rate of depreciation than that estimated by CarEdge.
Let’s start by looking at the 2023 Kia EV6 GT. The model had an original starting price of $61,600; today, examples can be found on the used market for as little as $20,000, or 67% down from the original value. The most expensive vehicles are located around the $40,000 mark (35% depreciation). Most cars on sale can be found between $25,000 and $30,000, indicating a depreciation rate of around 60%.
2026 Tesla Model Y Performance Front 3/4 ViewTesla
For the Tesla Model Y Performance, the picture is quite similar, but slightly more positive. The starting price for the 2023 model was $52,490. Today, the cheapest examples can be found around the $24,000 mark, which suggests a depreciation rate of around 54%, slightly less than the CarEdge estimate. The most expensive examples of the model are available for around $41,000, just 21% down from the original value.
If you are struggling to choose between these two models and depreciation is your biggest concern, your best bet is to opt for a Model Y Performance with plenty of optional features on board, and follow a strict maintenance schedule to keep it in top shape: that’s the best way to ensure your vehicle bucks the trend of EV depreciation and holds onto its value as much as possible.
The Kia EV6 GT: Family-Friendly Performance… In Short Supply
2025 Kia EV6 GT driving front 3/4Kia
2025 Kia EV6 GT
Powertrain
2 Electric motors
Power
601 hp
Torque
545 lb-ft (568 in Launch/GT mode)
0-60 mph
3.4 seconds
Top Speed
161 mph
The Kia EV6 GT is the high-performance sibling in the EV6 family; it was introduced for the 2023 model year, just one year after the standard EV6. It comes with a dual-motor setup that produces a total of 601 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. The battery has been upgraded since the model’s launch; it is now an 84-kWh unit, which results in a range of 231 miles (the model originally had a range of 206 miles).
The EV6 GT also comes with an interesting feature that helps make the driving experience more engaging: it borrows the “simulated gearshifts” function from the Ioniq 5 N, mimicking the experience of shifting your own gears despite the all-electric powertrain.
2025 Kia EV6 GT driving rear 3/4Kia
On the interior and tech front, the EV6 GT falls in line with the rest of the EV6 lineup, sporting a spacious cabin and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Features such as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless mobile phone charging are all offered as standard. While a six-speaker sound system is standard, a Meridian 14-speaker unit is available as an option.
However, there is a major problem with the EV6 GT: it’s very difficult to obtain one. While the other models in the EV6 lineup are built in Georgia, the EV6 GT is built in South Korea, which has made the logistics aspect quite difficult. Although a few examples of the model have been imported to the States since its launch, Kia has since stopped deliveries due to “changing market conditions”.
Both newly imposed tariffs and the end of the federal tax credit for EVs are likely to have played a part in this decision. There is no EV6 GT for the 2026 model year, so if you’re shopping for one, you will either have to search for leftover dealer stock or turn to the used market.
The Tesla Model Y Performance: Sleekness And Efficiency
2026 Tesla Model Y Performance Front 3/4 View in Red While DrivingTesla
2026 Tesla Model Y Performance
Powertrain
2 Electric motors
Power
510 hp
Torque
513 lb-ft
0-60 mph
3.2 seconds
Top Speed
155 mph
The Tesla Model Y Performance has undergone a makeover for the 2026 model year, alongside the rest of the Model Y lineup. While the new (codenamed “Juniper”) version of the standard Model Y was unveiled at the start of 2025, the Performance variety kept us waiting a little longer, eventually making its debut a few months later.
Power comes from a dual-motor setup, with one motor at the front and one at the rear. In the European version of the model, the total output is 460 hp, however the American version has a higher output of 510 hp and 513 lb-ft of torque. As a result of this increased power output, 0–60 takes just 3.2 seconds.
The efficiency aspect is one where the new Model Y Performance really shines: the 4DU drive unit (also seen in the Model 3 Performance), which combines the electric motor, inverter, and gearbox, reduces the vehicle’s energy consumption by 2%. The battery has been upgraded to an 81-kWh unit, which further improves efficiency and results in a driving range of 306 miles, far above that achieved by the Kia EV6 GT.
2026 Tesla Model Y Performance InteriorTesla
The design is broadly similar to that of the outgoing Model Y, with a few minor upgrades. These include reworked front and rear fascias, red brake calipers, a carbon fiber rear spoiler, and new forged wheels. The interior has been spruced up with a slightly larger (16-inch) infotainment touchscreen, carbon fiber trim, and heated and ventilated seats.
Thanks to its powerful motors and all of these bonus features, the 2026 Model Y Performance is the most expensive member of the Model Y lineup by far, with a starting price of $57,490 (for comparison, the standard Model Y starts at $39,990).
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Winner: The Tesla Has The Edge
2026 Tesla Model Y Performance Rear View ChargingTesla
Both models are very strong contenders, with a good balance of performance and practicality alongside stylish design. However, we think the Tesla wins out thanks to three important advantages: slower depreciation, longer driving range, and wider availability on both the new and used car markets.
2026 Tesla Model Y Performance Side ViewTesla
The Model Y Performance doesn’t just offer a whopping 75 miles of extra range, it also holds onto its value a few percentage points better than the Kia does, especially for used examples at the upper end of the price range. It’s also the best option for prospective buyers who are looking for a new car: finding a new Kia EV6 GT still in a dealer’s inventory is, by now, like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Sources: Kia, Tesla, CarEdge
