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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