- The efficiency mannequin of the EV9 three-row electrical SUV debuted on the Los Angeles Auto Present
- Anticipate a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds for the 2026 Kia EV9 GT
- The 2026 Kia EV9 comes with a NACS port to entry Tesla’s Supercharger community
Three-row SUVs aren’t typically the primary alternative for efficiency automotive patrons, however Kia believes dialing up energy and pace is the following logical step for its all-electric EV9.
Debuting on the 2024 Los Angeles auto present, the 2026 Kia EV9 GT applies an identical template to the earlier EV6 GT to the bigger EV9. That begins with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing 501 hp—122 hp greater than the EV9 GT-Line, at the moment probably the most highly effective EV9 grade. Kia estimates that this may cut back 0-60 mph acceleration from 5.0 seconds for the GT-Line to 4.3 seconds for the GT.
Kia additionally gave the EV9 GT digital shifting, which offers the texture of operating up by gears this EV doesn’t have (or want), and can even sluggish acceleration as soon as a synthetic “rev restrict” is achieved, similar to in a combustion automotive. The substitute gear shifts are accompanied by their very own soundtrack. Comparable options debuted within the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N from Kia’s guardian model—however in a extra track-focused package deal.
GT fashions additionally obtain Continental efficiency tires, upgraded brakes, an digital limited-slip differential, and adaptive suspension. Regular, Eco, Sport, and My Drive modes change the damping, in addition to steering and brake really feel, as does a GT mode that routinely dials within the stiffest damping. Kia notes that the 7.8 inches of floor clearance and 5,000-pound towing capability of different EV9 fashions carries over.
Exterior variations between the GT and different EV9 fashions are refined, principally restricted to new 21-inch wheels and inexperienced brake calipers, the latter a styling trait shared with the EV6 GT. The inexperienced theme continues inside with choose trim parts. GT fashions even have a special steering wheel and robustly bolstered sport seats with Alcantara inserts, in addition to distinctive schemes for the ambient lighting and the menus of the 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Kia expects to start U.S. deliveries within the second half of 2025, that means the EV9 GT may have a normal North American Charging Commonplace (NACS) port, which shall be normal on all EV9 fashions beginning within the first half of the yr.
Pricing shall be introduced nearer to launch, however count on the GT to return in larger than the present range-topping GT-Line, which is priced at $75,225 for the 2025 mannequin yr with the $1,325 vacation spot cost factored in. The EV9 sees a modest $700 value enhance for 2025, with no different important adjustments to the car that we named Inexperienced Automotive Stories Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2024.
All EV9 GT fashions shall be assembled in South Korea, that means they will not qualify for the $3,750 federal tax credit score accessible for EV9 fashions assembled in Georgia, both at Kia’s West Level manufacturing facility or Hyundai’s new Metaplant. It is one other indication that, as a current report recommended, Kia is turning into much less dedicated to U.S. meeting of the EV9 within the face of harder tax-credit guidelines.
