10 Features We Didn’t Expect In The Kia EV9 GT

Kia inserted its brand into the headlines this week with its upcoming designs and updates. The Korean automotive company, along with many other car brands, sat down with the public at the LA Auto Show to discuss what is to come in the following years. There was a lot to unpack with news of the much-anticipated EV6 receiving significant updates for the year 2025. It can be argued that Kia’s most powerful three-row SUV stole the show, with an awaited trim finally becoming available.

It wasn’t until recently that Kia and performance were used in the same sentence, but this changed when they started developing electric cars (EVs). Of course, most EVs are known for their fast acceleration, and Kia went even further by offering various models with the GT trim. It wasn’t long for Kia to offer the EV9 with a GT trim, but there’s a catch: you’ll have to wait until later next year to get your hands on one. Much like Kia’s future plans that were discussed at the auto show, the EV9 GT has a lot to unfold. Without further ado, here are some of the most unexpected features of the 2025 Kia EV9.

The data and information used to compile this article were sourced primarily through Kia.

1

Up To 501 Horsepower At Your Disposal

With the GT trim being offered on the EV9, it’s pretty much expected to get some extra power. Not to get it confused with the existing “GT Line” which produces 379 horsepower, the added GT trim now offers 501 horsepower.

The upcoming 2026 EV9 GT utilizes the standard e-All-Wheel-Drive system, with two mores: the front 160-kW motor and the rear 270-kW motor. These are some impressive performance gains, and it should be noted that this EV, after all, is a midsize three-row SUV. It’s apparent Kia is trying to make it easy for parents to get their kids to school on time while stopping at the grocery store along the way.

2

A Targeted 0-60 MPH Sprint In Just 4.3 Seconds

As a wise man once said, “With great power comes great acceleration”. That might not be the correct quote, but Kia makes this SUV a hard one to catch for a certain spider superhero. The 122 horsepower gain seen on the EV9 GT has a targeted 0-60 miles-per-hour sprint in 4.3 seconds.

To put it into perspective, the 2024 EV9 GT-Line currently performs this sprint in 5.0 seconds. To put it into even more perspective, this electric SUV comes close to battling cars such as the 2024 BMW M4. While it might not be the fastest electric SUV on the market, it is up there for SUVs, offering three rows.

The Brakes Are Now Bigger

Maybe it was “With great power comes great stopping force”. That still doesn’t sound right, but Kia’s big brake kit on the EV9 does sound a whole lot better. Some might think all you need is power to drive a car fast, but it’s quite the opposite.

Other areas you should capitalize on when owning or building a vehicle are the braking system and the suspension. Kia understood the assignment and increased the power while increasing the size of the front brakes. Larger breaks typically optimize the cars’ handling, allowing for better-spirited drives. Additional brake force can also allow for quicker stops for preventative accidents or collisions.

3

Equipped With Standard American Charging Ports

Technology within the automotive industry can be a struggle due to many of these brands delivering models worldwide. While one side of the earth does it one way and the other does the opposite, it’s always a bonus when companies rework features to accommodate specific locations.

At the LA Auto Show, the public received fresh news about models like the EV9 and EV6 coming standard with North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge ports. Kia broadened the access of charging stations on the EV9s and EV6s, now having access to approximately 35,000 DC fast charging stations across the United States.

4

The First Kia SUV To House An Electronically Controlled Suspension

The 2026 Kia EV9 is the first of its kind for the Korean brand, which utilizes an electronically controlled suspension (ECS) on a three-row SUV. To some, that might sound scary, but systems much like the one in the 2026 EV9 GT have been used in the past and offer several benefits.

You now have the ability to toggle through the drive modes such as Normal, Eco, Sport, and My Drive, which change the braking, steering, and shock dampening. Of course, it gets even better with the GT button found on the steering wheel, which stiffens the shocks even more for people wanting to get the whole performance experience.

5

Electronic Slip Differential (e-LSD) Offered As Standard

By now, you’ve realized that the 2026 Kia EV9 underwent some heavy reinforcements. After all, it is a dedicated performance trim. Taking some notes from its smaller sibling, the Kia EV9 GT shares a similar setup to the EV6 GT. The EV9 GT now houses an electronically limited-slip differential (e-LSD) aimed to offer drivers more stability.

Without getting into the science behind an e-LSD, all you need to know is that proper differentials such as this will provide better cornering by limiting wheelspin to the tires struggling with grip. It’s the exact opposite of the wheels that do have traction while driving, which, in return, receive more torque.

6

Equipped With Paddle Shifters For The Virtual Gear Shift (VGS)

This feature might be a hit or miss to some, but it still sounds cool on paper. After all, “With great power comes great fake gear shifts”. All jokes aside, the EV9 GT will come standard with the Virtual Gear Shift (VGS), producing noticeable “shifts” as the vehicle accelerates.

The EV9 GT now boasts paddle shifters, which can be used on the VGS. The virtual gear shift can be used in circumstances such as reducing acceleration when the rev limit is reached. It might not be for everyone, but Kia is trying to implement the best of both worlds, where you get that electric car power along with those old-school shifts.

7

Synthetic Gear Shifts Noises

On paper, the Virtual Gear Shift and paddle shifters are some of the most noticeable changes on the EV9 GT. Kia went even further with this concept and added an in-cabin electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD) system that replicates the sounds of gears shifting.

Once again, this system might not be for everyone, but the good news is it isn’t on all the time. Kia allows the driver to utilize these systems on their own accord. At the end of the day, it is hard to compare electric technology to that of an internal combustion vehicle. These systems aren’t catered to people who can’t live without some gears moving. After all, “With great power comes great sounding noises”.

8

GT Exterior Accents Separating It From The Other Trims

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the new EV9 GT comes with its own unique badging and accents. Kia has yet to release any prices on the trim, but based on the EV6, it can be expected to be the most expensive trim. If you’re spending big bucks for the nicest trim, you’ll likely want some accents reminding you daily of its title.

For the exterior, the EV9 GT boasts some meaty Continental tires wrapped around some 21-inch alloy wheels. Similar to the EV6 GT, the upgraded brakes are now painted neon green. One of the unique features that distinguishes itself is the “ENERGETIC” lighting pattern and GT-exclusive patterns located on the Active Air Flaps.

9

Some Changes In The Cabin As Well

The EV9 GT might come off as flashy to some, but when you have that amount of power and a sleek design, it only makes it better to roll the dice even more. Over the last five years, ambient lighting within the interior has become normal across many car brands, and the EV9 GT is one of the vehicles that boasts some unique lighting.

Kia offers unique features on the EV9 GT, such as ambient lighting, which comes with new lighting patterns to set your ride apart from the rest. Many of these features Kia put into the EV9 GT allow you to tailor the design and setup to suit you best.

Exclusive GT Badges And Upgraded Materials

The exclusive GT accent makes its way into the interior, which undergoes significant changes. The bright green accents on the brake calipers cover areas inside the cabin, such as the steering wheel and the seats. The steering wheel, along with the dashboard trim, seen on the EV6 GT, is a GT exclusive that is now equipped on the EV9 GT. The sport seats, which are deeply bolstered and equipped with Alcantara suede inserts, are exclusive to the EV9 GT.

10

Additional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

When you think of EVs, your mind might run to the designs and innovations surrounding this field. This is because EVs boast futuristic looks and tech, and one of the innovations that made the automotive world travel into the future is the operating systems that assist drivers.

Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) comes standard on the EV9 GT with features such as Parking Collision Avoidance, Forward Collision-Avoidance, Evasive Steering Assist, and many more.These systems help prevent collisions by alerting the driver, emergency braking, and additional steering input. It is a lot to take in, but it is there to save people’s lives while keeping everyone around safe.