- The punchy three-row electric SUV can hit 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.
- Drivers can use the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to change gears.
- A system to replicate the sounds of traditional gear shifts has also been added.
The long-awaited Kia EV9 GT has finally broken cover at the Los Angeles Auto Show, stepping into the limelight as the brand’s most powerful three-row SUV to date. Following the formula set by the EV6 GT, the EV9 GT dials up performance and attitude for Kia’s electric flagship, even if it holds back slightly on outright power compared to its smaller sibling.
Power to the People
While the two electric motors in the EV6 GT combine to produce 576 hp, the new EV9 GT has been capped at 501 hp. Driving the front wheels is a 214 hp motor, while located at the rear is a 362 hp unit. There’s no word on why Kia didn’t give the EV9 GT the same amount of power as the range-topping EV6, but it’ll still hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.3 seconds, which is a very impressive figure for a vehicle of this size.
Sharper Handling Meets GT Badging
To give the EV9 GT some genuine dynamic credibility, Kia has equipped it with selectable, electronically controlled suspension that adjusts alongside steering and brake responses. Modes like Normal, Eco, Sport, and My Drive provide versatility, but for maximum fun, there’s a lime-green GT button on the steering wheel that transforms the SUV into full attack mode.
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One standout quirk is the Virtual Gear Shift system. Mimicking the experience of a traditional gearbox, it offers simulated “gear shifts” and even limits acceleration at the so-called ‘rev limit.’ Hyundai pulled a similar trick with the Ioniq 5 N, and while it’s likely to divide opinion, paddle shifters and an Active Sound Design system attempt to inject a dose of driver engagement. Kia has also added an electronic limited-slip differential for improved cornering grip, bolstering the EV9 GT’s performance credentials further.
Range Anxiety? No Comment
Kia has yet to release official range figures for the EV9 GT. For now, buyers will have to live with some unanswered questions about how far this performance-focused SUV can travel on a single charge. What we do know is that it’s equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug and supports rapid DC charging. With the right charger, the battery can be replenished from 10% to 80% in under 25 minutes.
Subtle Aggression in Design
In typical Kia GT fashion, the EV9 GT’s visual upgrades are restrained but effective. It rides on bespoke 21-inch wheels, which frame larger, green-painted brake calipers. The front fascia gets minor revisions, including active air flaps and tweaked lighting elements, while the green accents continue inside. The cabin benefits from GT-specific sport seats with Alcantara inserts, unique ambient lighting, and a smattering of GT badges to remind you that this isn’t your standard EV9.
Kia America COO and EVP Steven Center sums it up: “The EV9 has been a home run for Kia, introducing the first mass-market electric three-row SUV, and the 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.”
Delayed Gratification
All EV9 GTs will be produced in South Korea, with the first units expected to arrive in U.S. dealerships in the second half of 2025. Pricing remains under wraps, but given Kia’s track record with its GT models, expect it to undercut rivals while still offering a mix of performance and practicality.
