Kia juices up its three-row EV and adds performance hardware such as adaptive dampers, grippier tires, and upgraded brakes.

The next Kia to wear the brand’s GT performance badge might come as an unexpected surprise. Enter the 2026 EV9 GT, which will be the brand’s most powerful and capable version of its three-row electric SUV, and Kia’s first real attempt at a performance crossover.

Kia's electric EV9 SUV sports a new GT version while the EV6 and Sportage SUV add updates for upcoming model years.

Kia announced the 2026 Kia EV9 GT at the LA Auto Show, and it’s giving its electric three-row SUV some serious muscle. Here is everything we know.

Every 2025 Kia EV9 model is based on the brand’s E-GMP platform, which also underpins the likes of the EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Ioniq 6 models. The parent company's past work on sporty EVs has helped to inform this latest product, which seems to combine fan-favorite elements from both Hyundai and Kia EVs.

Boasting a dual-motor powertrain with a total estimated output of 510 horsepower, the Kia EV9 GT is 122 hp more powerful than the EV9 GT-Line. That’s enough to propel the sporty electric family hauler from zero to 60 miles per hour in an estimated 4.3 seconds, seven-tenths of a second quicker than the GT-Line.

The facelifted Kia EV6 GT has been launched in Korea ahead of its US market launch in H1 2025. The performance flagship of the EV6 lineup looks very similar to the milder GT-Line trim. The GT gains a stronger powertrain with up to 645 hp,