2026 Kia EV9 GT First Look: With Over 500 HP, It Hauls Families and Ass
Soccer practice runs just got quicker—this family SUV hits 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.
The school drop off lane is about to get a lot more interesting. After thrilling us with its high-performance take on the two-row electric SUV with the smaller EV6 GT, Kia has unveiled an early preview of the new three-row, six-seat, 501-hp 2026 Kia EV9 GT. Promising a 0-60 mph time of just 4.3 seconds, trick software to make driving more fun, and the ability to rapidly recharge—even at Tesla Supercharger stations—the new EV9 GT aims to be a family-friendly SUV, just like the regular EV9, albeit one that isn’t afraid to let its hair down.
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New Motors and “Transmission”
With development work still underway as Kia approaches its late-2025 target on sale date, the automaker is playing coy with much of the 2026 EV9 GT’s specs. Yet it’s still told us enough to pique our interest.
The EV9 GT picks up where the more pedestrian EV9 GT-Line leaves off. It swaps out that model’s 190-hp front and rear permanent magnet motors, which combine for 379 hp, in favor of the existing EV6 GT’s 214-hp front and 362-hp rear permanent magnet motors. Kia says these will combine for an estimated 501 hp, though final calibration is still pending. It’s worth noting the same motors in the 2024 EV6 GT produce 576 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see the EV9 GT’s horsepower creep up by this time next year. (The updated-for-2025 EV6 GT, meanwhile, gets the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s motors, boosting output to 641 horses and 568 lb-ft of torque).
Like its EV6 sibling and related Hyundai Ioniq 5 N cousin, the EV9 GT will feature “virtual gear shifts,” which, when active, will mimic the feel of a performance eight-speed automatic by abruptly cutting power off if you hit the virtual “redline,” or grab a steering wheel-mounted paddle and shift. The virtual gears will be augmented with the company’s active sound design system, providing the soundtrack of a real engine (or a handful of other non-automotive vehicles, like fighter jets) to match the virtual gears. The EV9 GT also features an electronic limited-slip differential, ensuring the all-wheel drive three-row can actively route power to where it’s most needed.
Power is only part of the performance equation, however. Kia also fits the 2026 EV9 GT with suspension, braking, and tire upgrades. New drive modes (a custom setting and Eco, Normal, Sport, and GT in order of increasing performance) work hand in hand with the EV9 GT’s new electronic adaptive suspension, steering, and larger new front brakes, stiffening or softening the suspension’s damping, while also adjusting brake and steering feel. New 21-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance Continental tires are standard, too.
Kia’s First Factory “Supercharged” EV
Kia isn’t talking battery or range at this juncture, but we wouldn’t be surprised if EV9 GT packs the same 99.8 kWh pack as most of the rest of the EV9 line up has, with the performance additions decreasing range from the GT-Line’s 270 miles to about 250 miles. In a Kia first, the EV9 GT will feature a Tesla-friendly NACS charge port, making it capable of recharging at ubiquitous Tesla Supercharger DC fast charge stations without an adapter (an adapter to allow owners to use CCS1 DC fast chargers will undoubtably be available). The EV9’s 800-volt pack has regularly shown its ability to recharge from 5 to 80-percent in 26 minutes in our own testing at non-Tesla stations; charging performance at Tesla stations has been much less impressive, larger due to current limitations of Tesla’s existing charging network. The EV9 GT will almost certainly mirror this performance.
Subtle Styling
Visually, the 2026 EV9 GT looks much like its GT-Line sibling, with neon green brake calipers, unique wheels, and exclusive LED lighting patterns separating the hot EV9 from lesser EV9s. Inside, neon green carries over as accenting trim, while Alcantara-wrapped sport seats, a unique steering wheel, and exclusive graphics on the instrument cluster and infotainment display. You can expect to see Kia’s latest advanced driver assist aids once the EV9 GT hits the streets, too.
How much is a 2026 Kia EV9 GT and when can I buy one?
Kia is keen to point out that the new EV9 GT is still undergoing final calibration, and that includes pricing. Regardless, we’re confident it won’t be cheap. With the existing EV9 GT-Line starting at $75,395, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the 2026 EV9 GT become the first $80,000 Kia. Assembled in South Korea (some EV9s will be made stateside), it’s unlikely customers will find any federal incentives, either. Regardless, having experienced how great the EV6 GT is, we’re eagerly looking forwards to getting behind the wheel of its new big brother this time next year.
I generally like writing—especially when it’s about cars—but I hate writing about myself. So instead of blathering on about where I was born (New York City, in case you were wondering) or what type of cars I like (all of ’em, as long as it has a certain sense of soul or purpose), I’ll answer the one question I probably get most, right after what’s your favorite car (see above): How’d you get that job? Luck. Well, mostly. Hard work, too. Lots of it. I sort of fell into my major of journalism/mass communication at St. Bonaventure University and generally liked it a lot. In order to complete my degree senior year, we had to spend our last two semesters on some sort of project. Seeing as I loved cars and already spent a good portion of my time reading about cars on sites such as Motor Trend, I opted to create a car blog. I started a Tumblr, came up with a car-related name (The Stig’s American Cousin), signed up for media access on a bunch of manufacturer’s websites, and started writing. I did everything from cover new trim levels to reviewing my friends’ cars. I even wrote a really bad April Fool’s Day post about the next Subaru Impreza WRX being Toyota-Corolla-based. It was fun, and because it was fun, it never felt like work. Sometime after my blog had gotten off the ground, I noticed that Motor Trend was hiring for what’s now our Daily News Team. I sent in my résumé and a link to my blog. I got the job, and two weeks after graduation I made the move from New York to California. I’ve been happily plugging away at a keyboard—and driving some seriously awesome hardware—ever since.
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