The subsequent Kia to put on the model’s GT efficiency badge may come as an sudden shock. Enter the 2026 EV9 GT, which would be the model’s strongest and succesful model of its three-row electrical SUV, and Kia’s first actual try at a efficiency crossover.
The largest adjustments are to the EV9’s dual-motor setup. The EV9 GT’s entrance motor places out 215 horsepower and the rear motor makes 362 hp, including as much as a a complete mixed output of 501 horsepower. For those who’re conserving depend, that’s 122 horses greater than the following strongest EV9, the EV9 GT-Line. Kia says that’s sufficient energy to propel the EV9 GT to 60 mph in simply 4.3 seconds, which is fairly nuts for a three-row electrical SUV that’ll possible weigh near, if not over 6,000 kilos.
Kia says the EV9 GT will be capable of cease effectively due to bigger brakes with GT-badged calipers, and it’ll hustle within the twisties, too. The EV9 GT is fitted with an electronically managed suspension, a Kia SUV first, and drivers can choose between Regular, Eco, Sport and My Drive settings by way of a button on the steering wheel. Relying on the setting, the shock dampening, steering and brake really feel are all adjusted. For optimum efficiency, there’s a vivid inexperienced GT button on the wheel for the GT mode that units the suspension to its stiffest setting.
Different efficiency goodies added to the EV9 GT embrace an digital limited-slip differential, and one thing Kia is looking Digital Gear Shift. Given the identify, you’ve most likely already found out what it does however I’m going to clarify anyway: VGS simulates the shifts of a traditional automated transmission, and drivers can use the steering wheel paddles to “shift” themselves. It even decelerates the EV9 GT when it hits the simulated rev restrict. Mixed with the Energetic Sound Design that pipes in pretend engine sounds into the cabin, it’s all most likely a really convincing imitation of a efficiency automotive going by the gears.
Eager eyed observers will be capable of inform the EV9 GT aside by a couple of styling variations, like its 21-inch wheels wrapped in excessive efficiency 285/45 Continental tires wrapped. The GT additionally will get a novel entrance lighting sample Kia calls “Energetic,” and the bumper designs are extra aggressive. Inside there are Neon Inexperienced accents all through the cabin, Alcantara sport seats with GT logos and a efficiency steering wheel that’s distinctive to the GT trim.
Don’t let all of the efficiency and sporty stuff idiot you, although. The EV9 GT remains to be a family-hauling crossover at its core. The EV9’s 800-volt structure stays intact, which means it takes lower than 25 minutes to go from 10 to 80 % cost. The GT is the primary EV9 to get a normal Tesla-style NACS (North American Charging Normal) port, which additionally will likely be added to all 2025 EV9s. The 7.8 inches of floor clearance and 5,000-pound towing capability from different EV9s additionally carries over to the GT.
The one issues we don’t know concerning the EV9 GT is how a lot vary it’ll have and the way a lot it’ll value when it hits sellers within the latter half of 2025. As soon as it does arrive at sellers, consumers are going to wish to act quick. Kia says that EV9 GT inventories will likely be “extraordinarily restricted.”
