Not content material to have its thunder stolen by sister model Hyundai and its Ioniq 9, Kia has revealed its hottest EV9 but.
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT is a brand new flagship variant for the massive three-row electrical SUV lineup, packing varied mechanical and aesthetic upgrades.
The South Korean-built SUV has been confirmed for an Australian launch, which CarExpert understands will happen within the second half of 2025.
100s of recent automobile offers can be found by way of CarExpert proper now. Get the consultants in your facet and rating an awesome deal. Browse now.
Whereas there’s additional energy on faucet, Kia has additionally given the EV9 GT electronically managed suspension – a primary for a three-row SUV from the model.
CarExpert understands that, as with different fashions just like the EV6 GT, this new flagship will get an Australian journey and dealing with tune.
Switching between drive modes adjusts the damping, steering and brake really feel, whereas a brilliant inexperienced GT button on the steering wheel toggles the stiffest setting for the dampers.
Moreover, the EV9 GT is the most recent EV from the Hyundai Motor Group to get Digital Gear Shift. This simulates an computerized transmission in a combustion-powered car, with synthetic “shifts” that can be toggled between utilizing paddle shifters.
The EV9 GT’s electrical Energetic Sound Design (e-ASD) additionally replicates the sounds of drugs shifts because the EV9 GT accelerates.
Kia says it has additionally fitted the EV9 GT with upgraded brakes, plus an digital limited-slip differential to assist enhance cornering stability.
Floor clearance and towing capability are unchanged.
Listed below are the important thing efficiency figures:
| Kia EV9 GT | |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | Twin electrical motors |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive |
| Energy | 160kW (entrance) 270kW (rear) 374kW (complete) |
| 0-100km/h | 4.3 seconds (estimated) |
That sees the GT pump out an additional 91kW over the present flagship, the GT-Line, with a 0-100km/h time 0.7 seconds faster. A torque determine hasn’t been printed, however the GT-Line produces as much as 700Nm.
Kia hasn’t specified the vary or battery capability of the EV9 GT, which makes use of the identical 800-volt electrical structure as different EV9s and might be charged from 10-80 per cent in beneath 25 minutes utilizing a DC quick charger.
At the moment, the Australian-market EV9 GT-Line with 21-inch alloy wheels has a claimed WLTP vary of 505km.
The upgraded brakes, with neon inexperienced calipers, sit behind 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 285/45R-21 ‘high-performance’ Continental tyres.
There’s a brand new sample for the grille space and a brand new entrance bumper, whereas inside brilliant inexperienced accents might be discovered on objects just like the distinctive steering wheel.
There are additionally brilliant inexperienced accents on the brand new extra deeply bolstered sport seats, which function Alcantara inserts.
The EV9 GT has been revealed solely in six-seat configuration, with a pair of captain’s chairs for the second row. All Australian-market EV9s, in distinction, function a second-row bench for a complete of seven seats.
It’s unclear how a lot the EV9 GT will price right here. The EV9 GT-Line is presently priced at $121,000 earlier than on-road prices, whereas there’s a $12,000 hole between the GT-Line and GT trims within the smaller EV6 vary.
Ought to Kia Australia observe an analogous technique with the EV9 GT, it may put on a price ticket north of $130,000.
Kia’s flagship is now not the one massive electrical SUV on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform following the reveal of the Hyundai Ioniq 9, which additionally passed off in Los Angeles.
For now, essentially the most highly effective instance of the Ioniq 9 – due right here within the second quarter of 2025 – is the Efficiency AWD which includes a pair of 160kW/350Nm electrical motors for a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds.
Click on a picture to view the total gallery.
MORE: All the pieces Kia EV9
