Kia Introduces High-Performance EV9 GT 3-Row Electric SUV

Kia America unveiled the high-performance 2026 Kia EV9 GT SUV at the LA Auto Show. With an estimated 501 horsepower propelled through dual electric motors mounted front and rear, the EV9 GT is targeted to hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and represents the most powerful three-row SUV Kia has ever produced.

An electronically controlled suspension, a first for a Kia SUV, sets shock damping based on the selected drive mode or through the GT button mounted on the steering wheel, while larger front brakes are designed to bring the angular SUV to a reassuring halt. Unique design elements inside and out set the EV9 GT apart from the rest of the EV9 model range.

Assembled in South Korea and expected to arrive in the latter half of 2025, the Kia EV9 GT follows on the heels of the EV6 GT but with more room for passengers and their gear. Pricing will be announced closer to the EV9 GT’s on-sale date.

With standard e-AWD, the Kia EV9 GT is motivated through dual electric motors mounted front and rear. Up front is a 160-kW motor and at the rear, a 270-kW motor. Combined, they net an estimated 501 horsepower, a 122 HP increase from the EV9 GT-Line’s 379 hp. While internal testing continues and final horsepower ratings may differ, Kia is targeting an estimated 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds for the EV9 GT, while the current EV9 GT-Line scoots to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. Helping to bring the EV9 GT to a quick stop are upgraded brakes with exclusive GT-badged front calipers.

Balancing the power is a driver-selectable Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS), a first of its kind for a Kia three-row SUV. Accessed through the Drive Mode button found on the steering wheel, Normal, Eco, Sport and My Drive modes can be easily toggled by the driver depending on the conditions or desired driving style. Aside from setting shock damping, steering and brake feel are also optimized for each mode. Depressing the bright green GT button found on the steering wheel hub accesses GT mode, dialing in the shock damping to its stiffest setting. The EV9 GT maintains the 7.8-inches of ground clearance and the 5,000-lb. towing capacity found on select EV9 trims.

The EV9 GT arrives standard with exclusive Virtual Gear Shift (VGS). Simulating the experience of a traditional step-shift automatic transmission, VGS provides noticeable “shifts” as the vehicle accelerates and can reduce acceleration when the rev limit is reached. While VGS can be felt when used to simulate a traditional automatic transmission, the driver can also use the paddles located on either side of the steering wheel to manually shift through the gears for an elevated sense of driving engagement. In-cabin electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD) works in concert with VGS to replicate the sounds of the gear shifts as the EV9 GT accelerates.

Similar to its EV6 GT stablemate, the EV9 GT comes standard with an electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD). The e-LSD helps with corning stability by limiting wheelspin to the tires with less grip. Torque is electronically routed to the tires with more traction to help the EV9 GT maintain a stable attitude as it navigates corners.

What hasn’t changed is the 800-volt fast charging architecture that is standard across the EV9 lineup, which is capable of charging from 10-80% in less than 25 minutes with DC fast chargers. Starting in the first half of 2025, all EV9s will come standard with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge port, opening access to approximately 35,000 DC fast chargers across the US.

Equipped with a suite of standard advanced driver assistance features, the EV9 GT also arrives with Parking Collision Avoidance Assist front, side and rear (PCA – f/s/r). The system is designed to provide a warning if the risk of collision with pedestrians or objects around the vehicle is detected during parking and can automatically assists with emergency braking in certain circumstances.

Other standard ADAS features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 with Car, Cyclist and Pedestrian Detection (FCA 2) with Evasive Steering Assist that is designed to provide steering input when a potential collision is detected. Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control-Curve (N-SCC-C) is designed to apply the brakes to maintain a predetermined speed through a turn when Smart Cruise Control is active. Other standard ADAS convenience features include: Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist (RCCA), Parking Distance Warning - Forward (PDW-F), Rear (PDW-R), and Side (PDW-S), Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Surround View Monitor and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA 2 among a long list of other standard ADAS features.