2026 Kia EV9 GT: An Electric Rocket for the Whole Family
Hyundai is unveiling its version of the EV9 from sister brand Kia, the Ioniq 9, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but Kia is fighting for the spotlight with its debut of the 2026 EV9. While it looks largely the same as the existing EV9, the GT packs an estimated 501 horsepower, which Kia says will fling this three-row electric SUV from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. That’s 122 hp more than the EV9 GT-Line and 0.7 second quicker.
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Kia takes its GT badging seriously, so there’s more than just extra power here. An adaptive suspension is standard on the EV9 GT, as are a limited-slip rear differential and larger front brakes squeezed by neon-green calipers like those on the smaller EV6 GT. But Kia is quick to point out that the EV9 GT does not sacrifice its SUV-ness in pursuit of performance, as it retains the 7.8 inches of ground clearance and 5,000-pound towing capacity of other EV9s.
Playing the Part and Playing It Well
The EV9 borrows a couple of, if not performance-enhancing, then perception-enhancing tricks from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. What Hyundai calls N E-Shift here is branded as Virtual Gear Shift. With a bit of creative powertrain tuning, VSG programs tapers, interruptions and swells into the torque delivery to simulate the feel of a traditional multigear transmission.
Shifts wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense in silence, so VSG is combined with electric Active Sound Design. Like the Ioniq’s N Active Sound+, e-ASD mimics the sound of an internal combustion engine — presumably something a little sexier than the V-6 in Kia’s similarly sized Telluride SUV. VSG and e-ASD might sound kitschy, but in the Ioniq 5 N, we think they’re surprisingly well executed and actually do add to the experience.
Set Apart and Staying Away
Kia wisely exercised some restraint with the GT’s visual cues. On the exterior, the only things setting the GT apart from the rest of the EV9 lineup are subtly revised front and rear bumpers, 21-inch wheels wearing high-performance Continental rubber, the not-so-subtle neon-green brake calipers and a unique light pattern showing through the paint in the “grille” panel. Bright-green accents on the steering wheel and seats bring additional flair into the cabin, where a dark two-tone interior with neon-green accents is available.
Positioned at the top of the EV9 line, the GT includes all of the driver-assist tech Kia has in its arsenal, including automated parking, as well as a full suite of alerts and aids to warn drivers before they get into close calls and help them get out unscathed.
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Availability and Pricing
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT will go on sale in the second half of 2025, and pricing will be announced closer to the launch date. If Kia adheres to the spread between the EV6 GT-Line and GT, the EV9 GT will start around $80,000. But we figure that since this is a larger vehicle, that premium might grow by a few thousand bucks.
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