2026 Kia EV9 GT is here and its coming to UAE soon: see range, features, specs, performance, and more
Key highlights
- Kia adds the most powerful GT variant to its flagship EV9 model
- Kia EV9 GT is expected to go on sale by second half of 2025 in the US
- UAE launch possible by the end of next year
2026 Kia EV9 GT has made it to the US market. Debuting at the LA Motor Show 2024, the upcoming Kia EV9 GT is the most powerful EV ever made by the brand. This flagship model comes equipped with an AWD system and jaw-dropping performance numbers. Learn the complete details about the new 2026 Kia EV9 GT model below.
Moreover, you can check out the best used Kia cars in the UAE with us. CARS24 pre-owned cars offer top quality as we select our cars by checking them over 150 various quality checkpoints.
Also read: Need for Speed BMW M3 GTR is now a real car; EA Sports & BMW collab - see photos
2026 Kia EV9 GT - what's new?
Unlike the GT-line variant, the new EV9 GT is a completely different breed. It justifies the GT badge as Kia has revamped its performance and design beautifully.
Design and cabin changes
The first glance of the GT version will reflect that the bumpers and the front nose are revamped when compared to the standard variant. Also, it gets unique 21-inch machine-cut alloy wheels that match the GT badge. On the inside, Alcantara leather upholstery with lime green and piano black contrasts welcome you. This gives the GT a refreshed appeal. The features like connected screen display, wireless phone connectivity, wireless charging, etc., are omnipresent on all EV9 variants.
A major feature addition is the 'Virtual Gear Shift' function. This feature is basically a virtual stimulation that ignites the feeling of being inside an ICE car. The active sound design system has been paired up with the paddle shifters that further provide a feel of driving a powerful ICE car. This system mimics the gearshifts, torque curves, and the virtual mechanical feel behind the steering wheel. This tech debuted on its sibling model i.e. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Also read: Nissan N7 electric sedan rivaling Tesla Model 3 revealed - launch in 2025
Performance and range updates
A 'GT' is not just a badge but an indicator of performance and excitement. This is exactly what Kia had in mind while creating the GT version of the EV9. Hence, it now gets dual electric motors, each at the front and rear. The front motor is rated for 241 hp while the rear motor churns out 362 hp. However, the total peak power produced is 501 hp, indicating that both motors produce individual peak outputs at different rpm.
Speaking of the performance, the Kia EV9 GT can sprint 0-100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. This makes it 0.7 seconds quicker than the AWD GT-line variant. Kia has also upgraded the brake rotor size, a new electronically adjusting suspension with active dampers, and an electronically limited-slip differential at the rear. Kia claims that it is the most fun-to-drive EV you'll get to experience; especially for its size.
It also supports the supercharger technology as Kia has equipped it with the North American Charging Standard Port. So, users in the US would be able to quickly charge it from 10-80% in just 25 minutes. The maximum range of the Kia EV9 GT is still not disclosed but we can safely assume that it'll be less than the 430 km range of the AWD GT-line variant.
Also read: 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 Sportback revealed
Our verdict
Kia has amazed the audience and enthusiasts at the LA Motor Show this year with its new range of products. While Hyundai has recently showcased its flagship EV Ioniq 9, the GT variant of the EV9 is ready to compete with it on the other hand. Rival brands like Tesla and BYD need to up their game as Kia keeps plunging for better products globally. We expect that the Kia EV9 GT will launch in the UAE by late 2025; which is after a few months of launch in the US market.
Key highlights
- Kia adds the most powerful GT variant to its flagship EV9 model
- Kia EV9 GT is expected to go on sale by second half of 2025 in the US
- UAE launch possible by the end of next year
2026 Kia EV9 GT has made it to the US market. Debuting at the LA Motor Show 2024, the upcoming Kia EV9 GT is the most powerful EV ever made by the brand. This flagship model comes equipped with an AWD system and jaw-dropping performance numbers. Learn the complete details about the new 2026 Kia EV9 GT model below.
Moreover, you can check out the best used Kia cars in the UAE with us. CARS24 pre-owned cars offer top quality as we select our cars by checking them over 150 various quality checkpoints.
Also read: Need for Speed BMW M3 GTR is now a real car; EA Sports & BMW collab - see photos
2026 Kia EV9 GT - what's new?
Unlike the GT-line variant, the new EV9 GT is a completely different breed. It justifies the GT badge as Kia has revamped its performance and design beautifully.
Design and cabin changes
The first glance of the GT version will reflect that the bumpers and the front nose are revamped when compared to the standard variant. Also, it gets unique 21-inch machine-cut alloy wheels that match the GT badge. On the inside, Alcantara leather upholstery with lime green and piano black contrasts welcome you. This gives the GT a refreshed appeal. The features like connected screen display, wireless phone connectivity, wireless charging, etc., are omnipresent on all EV9 variants.
A major feature addition is the 'Virtual Gear Shift' function. This feature is basically a virtual stimulation that ignites the feeling of being inside an ICE car. The active sound design system has been paired up with the paddle shifters that further provide a feel of driving a powerful ICE car. This system mimics the gearshifts, torque curves, and the virtual mechanical feel behind the steering wheel. This tech debuted on its sibling model i.e. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Also read: Nissan N7 electric sedan rivaling Tesla Model 3 revealed - launch in 2025
Performance and range updates
A 'GT' is not just a badge but an indicator of performance and excitement. This is exactly what Kia had in mind while creating the GT version of the EV9. Hence, it now gets dual electric motors, each at the front and rear. The front motor is rated for 241 hp while the rear motor churns out 362 hp. However, the total peak power produced is 501 hp, indicating that both motors produce individual peak outputs at different rpm.
Speaking of the performance, the Kia EV9 GT can sprint 0-100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds. This makes it 0.7 seconds quicker than the AWD GT-line variant. Kia has also upgraded the brake rotor size, a new electronically adjusting suspension with active dampers, and an electronically limited-slip differential at the rear. Kia claims that it is the most fun-to-drive EV you'll get to experience; especially for its size.
It also supports the supercharger technology as Kia has equipped it with the North American Charging Standard Port. So, users in the US would be able to quickly charge it from 10-80% in just 25 minutes. The maximum range of the Kia EV9 GT is still not disclosed but we can safely assume that it'll be less than the 430 km range of the AWD GT-line variant.
Also read: 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 Sportback revealed
Our verdict
Kia has amazed the audience and enthusiasts at the LA Motor Show this year with its new range of products. While Hyundai has recently showcased its flagship EV Ioniq 9, the GT variant of the EV9 is ready to compete with it on the other hand. Rival brands like Tesla and BYD need to up their game as Kia keeps plunging for better products globally. We expect that the Kia EV9 GT will launch in the UAE by late 2025; which is after a few months of launch in the US market.
