Kia debuts the 2026 EV9 GT for when your 7 friends need to get there real fast
Kia debuted its upcoming 2026 EV9 GT at the LA Auto Show this morning, with upgraded horsepower for this large 3-row SUV – and promised NACS support as well.
The Kia EV9 has helped propel Kia to new heights, with impressive sales in the US for the relatively high-priced model (for what has generally been considered a budget brand).
But the EV9 has only been out for about a year now, and it’s already getting a new upgrade with a high-performance GT version.
The EV9 GT was shown off this morning at the LA Auto Show, with improved horsepower and 0-60 time and new electronic suspension, the first time it has appeared on a Kia SUV.
The EV9 GT ups power to 501hp, quite a jump from the 379hp on the current top-spec GT-Line EV9 model (yes, GT and GT-Line are different trim levels, and yes, that’s confusing). This is split into a 160kW motor in front and 270kW motor in the rear.
This is enough to push the three-row SUV to 60mph in 4.3 seconds, down from the 5.0 second mark on the current top-spec EV9.
Other performance improvement include an electronically controlled suspension which allows for damper adjustment, making for a sportier or softer ride based on your drive mode; larger front brakes to help manage all that extra power; and an electronic limited slip differential for improved cornering at the edges of grip (though I really must note that, even though high-powered EVs are quick and fun, a ~6,000lb vehicle really is not a sportscar no matter how you cut it).
The GT will come with exclusive design elements as well, like neon green brake calipers, some matching green interior accents, a GT-exclusive steering wheel, and more heavily bolstered sport seats.
Like the refreshed EV6 GT announced today, the EV9 GT will gain access to Kia’s “Virtual Gear Shift” feature. This feature “enhances driving immersion by simulating gear shifts with visuals, engine sound effects, and a tactile sensation through motor torque adjustment.”
It basically simulates the feeling of driving a manual gas car, rather than an EV – so in exchange for making your car objectively slower, you can get some silly noises and have a more complicated driving experience.
Kia’s sister company Hyundai introduced a similar feature on the Ioniq 5 N, and when I tried it there I expected to hate it. While I still do think it’s silly and unnecessary and most people will leave it off most of the time, I was impressed by how far Hyundai took it (to the point where you can’t even go past 20mph in “first gear” – the car will just whine at you and make you upshift first). We haven’t gotten to try it out in the EV9 yet, but I’m expecting it will be a similar experience. If nothing else, it is a fun party trick.
But don’t get too excited, because it’s not available right away – unlike the refreshed EV6, you’ll have to wait until the 2026 model year for the EV9 GT. Kia says that it will arrive in the “latter half of 2025,” and that it will be assembled in Korea, rather than in its Georgia factory where it started EV9 production just last month.
Kia also announced today that the EV6 will be assembled in Georgia – but that GT models would be assembled in Korea. So it’s no surprise that the EV9 GT will also see Korea production, and lower-spec models may still continue to be built in Georgia (or maybe not, given news this week about Kia pulling back production plans).
And also like the refreshed EV6, the EV9 GT will come with a native NACS port, allowing direct connection to Tesla Superchargers without an adapter. Kia says every EV9 will come standard with NACS “starting in the first half of 2025.”
We also don’t yet know pricing for the EV9 GT, but given the price premium the EV6 GT commands, we expect it will start in the high 70s.
To get more specifics on the EV9, Electrek will be roaming around the LA Auto Show today, checking out the newest of what Kia has to offer, and we’ll update you if we find out anything new.
If you’d like, you can use our affiliate link to get in touch with your local dealers about the Kia EV9… though you’ll be waiting a few months if you want to get the GT model.
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Compton, California, has unveiled 25 new electric school buses – the school district’s first – and 25 Tellus 180 kW DC fast chargers.
Compton Unified School District (CUSD) in southern Los Angeles County is putting 17 Thomas Built Type A and eight Thomas Built Type C electric school buses on the road this spring. In addition to working with Thomas Built, CUSD also collaborated with electrification-as-a-service provider Highland Electric Fleet, utility Southern California Edison, and school transportation provider Durham School Services.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program awarded funds for the vehicles in the program’s first round. EPA also awarded CUSD funds for the third round of the program and anticipates introducing an additional 25 EV school buses in the future.
“I can’t stress enough how vital grants like these are and the need for continued support from our partners in government at the state and federal level to fund additional grants for school districts and their transportation partners that are ready to deliver and operate zero-emission buses,” said Tim Wertner, CEO of Durham School Services.
CUSD, which serves Compton and parts of the cities of Carson and Los Angeles, currently serves more than 17,000 students at 36 sites. The district has a high school graduation rate of 93% and an 88% college acceptance rate. One in 11 children in Los Angeles County have asthma, which makes the need for emissions-free school transportation that much more pressing.
Read more: Thomas Built Buses debuts its next-gen electric school bus
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After cutting lease prices by $200 this month, the Rivian R1S is now surprisingly affordable. It may even be a better deal than the new Tesla Model Y.
Rivian cuts R1S lease prices by $200 per month
Rivian’s R1S is one of the hottest electric SUVs on the market. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out.
With some of the best deals to date, now may be the time. Rivian lowered R1S lease prices earlier this month to just $599 for 36 months, with $8,493 due at signing (30,000 miles). The offer is for the new 2025 R1S Adventure Dual Standard, which starts at $75,900.
Before the price cut, the R1S was listed at $799 per month, with $8,694 due at signing. The electric SUV now has the same lease price as the R1T, despite costing $6,000 more.
The 2025 R1T Dual Motor starts at $69,900, essentially making it a free $6,000 upgrade. At that price, you may even want to consider it over the new Tesla Model Y.
Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series arrived with lease prices of $699 for 36 months. With $4,393 due at signing, the effective rate is $821 per month, or just $13 less than the R1S at $834. However, the 2025 R1S costs nearly $15,000 more, with the Model Y Launch Series price at $59,990.
Rivian is also offering an “All-Electric Upgrade Offer” of up to $6,000 for those looking to trade-in their gas-powered car, but base models are not included.
| Starting Price | Range (EPA-est.) |
|
| 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard | $75,900 | 270 miles |
| 2026 Tesla Model Y Launch Series | $59,990 | 327 miles |
To take advantage of the Rivian R1S lease deal, you must order it before March 15 and take delivery on or before March 31, 2025.
The 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard Motor has an EPA-estimated range of up to 270 miles. Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series gets up to 327 miles.
Which electric SUV would you choose? Rivian’s R1S or the new Tesla Model Y? If you’re ready to check them out for yourself, you can use our links below to find deals on the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model Y in your area.
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Tesla says it can deliver new orders for the refreshed Model Y within two weeks in China. Is the automaker already experiencing a demand problem with the new Model Y?
Last month, Tesla launched the new Model Y in China. The vehicle features an updated design and new features that bring it closer to the recently refreshed Model 3.
Tesla has now started delivering the Long Range AWD updated Model Y in China this week.
But along with the start of deliveries, Tesla also opened orders for the non-Launch edition and the Standard Range RWD:
There were rumors coming from China that Tesla managed to get hundreds of thousands of orders for the new Model Y, which is not impossible since it would be just a few months of production for the best-selling EVs, but now Tesla’s updated configurator raised questions about these rumors.
Tesla says it can deliver a new Model Y RWD order placed today in “2 to 4 weeks” in China.
The Long Range AWD Model Y takes a bit longer at “6-10 weeks” for new orders.
Based on insurance data, Tesla’s deliveries in 2025 are currently down about 7,000 units compared to the same period last year.
Electrek’s Take
There’s no doubt that the Model Y changeover is going to hurt Tesla in Q1. The question is, by how much?
I am surprised to see that you can place an order right now and get on in just 2-4 weeks. It does point to soft demand for the RWD version, at least.
It’s going to be interesting to track deliveries through March. Tesla will need to deliver over 50,000 vehicles next month to arrive at similar levels as it did last year.
It looks like the production ramp is going well, so demand might be the bigger factor.
As for the Model 3, Tesla is already pulling all the demand levers in order for the sedan to contribute, but everything points to the new Model Y being the different maker.
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