The Kia EV9 is among the top electric vehicles available. It is opulent, useful, and effective. It has plenty of power as well, but Kia has gone ahead and given it a boost nonetheless. The 2026 EV9 GT is a crossover with 501 horsepower that will enable you to drop your children off at school even faster. The Los Angeles Auto Show is where it makes its premiere on Thursday.
Performance Upgrades
Unlike the standard all-wheel drive EV9, which has front and rear motors producing 189 horsepower each, the GT boasts a 214-hp front motor and a 362-hp rear motor. Naturally, it is not difficult to understand that 362 + 214 does not equal 501; nonetheless, each motor likely produces its maximum power at a different speed. Additionally, according to Kia, the EV9 GT’s horsepower numbers are still being finalized, so by the time deliveries start, they may reach 501 horsepower. According to Kia, the EV9 GT is 0.7 seconds quicker than the EV9 GT-Line AWD, with a 0–60 mph time of 4.3 seconds.
Upgraded Suspension and Handling
To deal with the extra power, the EV9 GT gets:
- Larger brakes.
- Upgraded suspension with adaptive dampers.
- Continental tyres wrapping 21-inch wheels.
- An electronic rear limited-slip differential.
- So, the EV9 GT shouldn’t just be quicker in a straight line, it’ll be better in the corners, too.
Virtual Gear Shift
Kia’s Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) mode, which mimics an internal combustion engine, is another noteworthy improvement. Hyundai, Kia’s corporate cousin, introduced its own version of the function with the Ioniq 5 N. With phoney gear shifts, torque cuts, and engine noises, VGS essentially simulates the feel and sound of a conventional automobile engine. You can row through the “gears” with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel or utilize it in a mode that simulates an automated transmission. Since it performs remarkably well in the Ioniq 5 N, it ought to perform admirably here as well.
Eye-Catching Design Details
In addition to its distinctive 21-inch wheels, the EV9 GT is visually set out by a variety of exterior trim pieces and interior lime-green highlights. Additionally, the Alcantara-trimmed sport seats on the EV9 GT are strengthened.
Charging and Production
Along with a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug, the EV9 comes equipped with a ton of driving-assistance technology, allowing you to charge it at Superchargers. While the EV9 GT will be manufactured in South Korea, other EV9 variants will be manufactured in West Point, Georgia.
Pricing and Release Date
Kia has yet to provide two crucial numbers: pricing and range. It is anticipated to have a range that is worse than the current GT-Line AWD’s 270 miles and to cost a few thousand more than the car’s $75,395 price tag. The start of deliveries is scheduled for the second half of 2025.
