The hot EV9 can hit 96kmh (a 0-100km/h time has not yet been given) in just 4.3 seconds thanks to beefed up twin electric motors. It’s the most powerful three-row SUV that Kia has ever made.
How does the big EV9 cope with all the extra power?
The EV9 GT gets modified suspension with adaptive dampers (Electronically Controlled Suspension or ECS) linked to the driving mode, or to the special GT-mode button on the steering wheel - something we’ve seen previously in the rapid EV6 GT. Other modes are Normal, Eco, Sport and My Drive - which also control steering weighting and response to the accelerator.
Pressing the GT button on the steering wheel turns everything up to 11, with the suspension in its stiffest possible setting, and the electric motors at full alert.
The EV9 GT uses a 270kW rear-mounted motor and a 160kW front motor to make its 501hp, and it also gets upgraded brakes with lime-green, GT-badged callipers.
What else separates the EV9 GT from a regular model?
The EV9 GT gets a new innovation - well, new to the Kia brand, as the Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) is borrowed from the distantly-related Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and aims to imitate the gear changes of a petrol-powered car. The electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD) works in concert with VGS to replicate the sounds of the gear shifts as the EV9 GT accelerates.
To help keep the EV9 GT tidy in corners, there’s also an electronic Limited Slip Differential (e-LSD) which diverts power away from any tyres that are slipping, and there’s active torque distribution between the wheels too.
What about range and charging?
The 800-volt fast-charging architecture carries over from the regular EV9 and allows for a 10-80 per cent charge in less than 25 minutes. Kia hasn’t, as yet, announced any battery capacity nor range figures, but assuming that the GT uses the same 98kWh battery as the standard EV9, range will likely fall to around 450km as standard.
Style-wise, the EV9 gets 21-inch alloy wheels shod with 285/45 high-performance Continental tyres. There’s also a new LED lighting signature, and active aero flaps.
Inside, there are bright green accents in various areas of the interior, including the steering wheel and the seats. Unique to EV9 GT are deeply bolstered sport seats trimmed with Alcantara suede inserts, embossed with the GT logo. You’ll also get a GT-exclusive steering wheel and dashboard trim. In addition, the interior is available in GT-exclusive ‘Dark Gray & Black’ synthetic leather with neon accents while there are GT-specific displays for the digital dashboard as well.
Does Kia have anything else new?
Alongside the EV9 GT on Kia’s LA show stand will be the updated Sportage SUV, which is currently Kia’s best-selling car in Ireland. The fresh look gives the Sportage a full-width grille at the front, new ‘stacked’ headlights, and some other smaller detail updates to the styling.
Inside, there’s the big, curved touchscreen dashboard and an optional new ten-inch head-up display projected onto the windscreen. The touchscreen gets an updated connected navigation system, while there’s now the option of using your mobile phone as a smart key.
Kia has also upgraded some of the Sportage’s active safety systems, including the automated emergency braking, given it the steering and ‘evasive assist’ function to help you steer away from danger, and added a haptic system to recognise when your hands are on the wheel when using lane-keeping steering.
Irish prices and specification for the updated Sportage have not yet been set. It is expected to arrive in Ireland in time for the “252” registration plate in July 2025.
Whether the EV9 GT will be sold in Ireland at all is as yet unclear.