Kia is further trying to position itself high above the electric vehicle food chain with the flagship zero-emissions SUV, the EV9. Offering contemporary sporty styling, seating for up to seven, and all-wheel drive and up to 502 horsepower (top GT variant), the brand is certainly making a strong case.
“The EV9 has been a home run for Kia and introduced the first mass-market electric three-row SUV,” says Steven Center, Kia America COO and EVP, in a press release. “And EV9 GT includes all those wonderful elements while amping up the fun factor significantly. This new halo trim is set to spark the hearts of driving enthusiasts who still need the practicality of a six-passenger SUV. You can have your cake and eat it too!”
Love it or hate it, one thing you can’t call the vehicle’s design is boring. One of the more interesting elements is the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, which appears during the day as a solid panel but at night illuminates with a distinctive lighting pattern. Models generally bundle one animation, and in today’s subscription and microtransaction world we live in, additional ones are available for purchase from the Kia Connect Store.
Some of the exclusive features on the GT grade are the 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 285/45R/21 high-performance Continental tires, bright green brake calipers, and the ENERGETIC animation on the outside, and inside, extra hits of green throughout the cabin, comfortable Alcantara-trimmed two-tone sport seats, badging, unique ambient lighting, and a special graphics theme on the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. One gripe I have about the dashboard is the placement of the sensitive virtual buttons that are easy to press accidentally when you’re navigating the main display.
Packing the aforementioned 502-horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque courtesy of two electric motors, the EV9 is without a doubt quick. An electronically controlled rear limited-slip differential and Kia-first adaptive suspension also allow the mid-size SUV to tackle windy roads more than decently.
Newly introduced standard Virtual Gear Shift technology simulates the feel of a traditional step-shift transmission while accelerating for a more performance-oriented motoring experience. The “shifts” are manually operable via paddle shifters.
Pressing the Drive Mode button on the right upper spoke of the steering wheel toggles between Normal, Eco, Sport, and My Drive (custom) modes, tailoring shock damping, steering, and brake feel for different environments. In addition, users will notice a green GT button on the opposite side that puts the suspension to the stiffest setting for optimal handling.
Like all other EV9s, there’s still 7.8 inches of ground clearance available and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when adventures take a rugged turn. The 800-volt architecture allows the vehicle to get from 10 to 80 per cent battery life in 25 minutes on a compatible 350-kilowatt DC fast charger. All 2026 and newer models are now equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS/Tesla) charge port, though an adapter is included so owners may continue using the older Combined Charging System (CCS) standard.
MSRP for the 2026 Kia EV9 GT is $82,295, and the zero-emissions SUV is also sold in rear-wheel drive formats as well.
Highlights (base):
MSRP: $82,295
Motor: dual electric
Horsepower: 502 (net)
Torque (lb-ft): 545 (net)
Gearbox: single-speed automatic with simulated step shift
Layout: all-wheel drive
Fuel economy: 26.2 kWh/100 km (observed combined city and highway)