- Kia has a brand new performance-oriented electrical automobile in its lineup.
- The 2026 Kia EV9 GT is the automaker’s strongest three-row SUV.
- The sporty electrical folks hauler comes with a Tesla NACS charging connector from the manufacturing unit.
That is the all-new 2026 Kia EV9 GT. To not be confused with the EV9 GT-Line which was already obtainable with some sporty-looking {hardware}, the newly launched model is Kia’s strongest manufacturing three-row SUV.
Boasting a dual-motor powertrain with a complete estimated output of 510 horsepower, the Kia EV9 GT is 122 hp extra highly effective than the EV9 GT-Line. That’s sufficient to propel the sporty electrical household hauler from zero to 60 miles per hour in an estimated 4.3 seconds, seven-tenths of a second faster than the GT-Line.
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The entrance motor of the EV9 GT makes 214 hp whereas the rear drive unit pumps out 362 hp, however as a result of they don’t attain peak energy on the identical time, you’ll be able to’t simply add the numbers collectively. The torque determine was not disclosed by the Korean automaker.
Kia’s go-fast household hauler adopts a relatively controversial characteristic from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N–Digital Gear Shifts. We fairly appreciated the simulated gear shifts once we drove the refreshed Ioniq 5 N, however there are many folks on the market who assume an EV–which doesn’t even have gears–shouldn’t attempt to impersonate a gas-powered automobile. This contains some of us at Porsche who stated such a characteristic will solely make their vehicles worse.
The system works together with the in-cabin electrical Lively Sound Design (e-ASD) system to make it really feel just like the automobile shifts via gears whereas accelerating. The EV jolts when it goes from one digital gear to a different and the sound system supplies the audio cues to tie all of it collectively.
The EV9 GT is Kia’s first three-row SUV to get electronically managed suspension or ECS. This could soften or harden the suspension damping primarily based on what driving mode has been chosen: Regular, Eco, Sport or My Drive. These modes additionally alter the steering and brake really feel. Talking of brakes, the flagship EV9 will get bigger entrance rotors than the lesser variations.
Photograph by: Kia
On the rear, there’s an digital limited-slip differential (e-LSD), identical to on the EV6 GT, which limits wheelspin to the tires with much less grip. In the meantime, the 7.8-inch floor clearance is similar as on the opposite trim ranges, as is the 5,000-pound most towing capability of the GT-Line.
Identical to the brand new Hyundai Ioniq 5, Genesis Electrified GV70 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, the 2026 Kia EV9 GT comes with Tesla’s NACS charging port from the manufacturing unit. This implies homeowners will have the ability to cost at Tesla’s in depth Supercharger community with out an adapter. Nevertheless, an adapter might be wanted to cost at DC quick chargers with CCS plugs, just like the overwhelming majority of stalls operated by firms like EVgo, Electrify America and ChargePoint.
Kia stated that each one EV9 variations will come as customary with the NACS charging port beginning within the first half of subsequent yr. The battery of the EV9 GT is similar as on the opposite long-range variations–99.8 kilowatt-hours–however the automaker hasn’t offered a variety score or a most charging pace. For reference, the EV9 GT-Line has an EPA-rated vary of 270 miles and may settle for as much as 235 kW from a DC quick charger, sufficient for a ten% to 80% top-up in lower than 25 minutes.
Photograph by: Kia
“The EV9 has been a house run for Kia and launched the primary mass-market electrical three-row SUV,” stated Steven Heart, COO & EVP, Kia America. “And EV9 GT contains all these fantastic components whereas amping up the enjoyable issue considerably. This new halo trim is ready to spark the hearts of driving fanatics who nonetheless want the practicality of a six-passenger SUV. You’ll be able to have your cake and eat it too!”
Exterior, the 2026 Kia comes with 21-inch wheels wrapped in 285/45R21 high-performance Continental tires. The brake calipers are painted in neon inexperienced and GT-exclusive patterns on the Lively Air Flaps in entrance.
Photograph by: Kia
Inside, the cabin is adorned with brilliant inexperienced accents, together with on the steering wheel and seats, each of that are distinctive to the EV9 GT. The usual equipment contains Parking Collision Help with entrance, facet and rear monitoring, in addition to Ahead Collision-Avoidance Help, Navigation-based Good Cruise Management and others.
Pricing for the 2026 Kia EV9 GT has not been introduced but. Nevertheless, we all know it should go on sale within the latter half of subsequent yr. We additionally know that will probably be assembled in South Korea, so any potential federal tax credit score when buying goes out the window (leasing may make it eligible for a tax credit score, if there’ll nonetheless be a tax credit score for EVs in 2025.)
