The Blue Oval originally planned to build and sell a three-row all-electric SUV for North America that may or may not have utilized the Ford Explorer name, but ultimately decided to ditch those plans earlier this year and replace it with a hybrid. Regardless, that isn’t the case in other parts of the automotive world, where we’re starting to see a number of three-row EV SUVs debut – including the all-new 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9. Now, what is effectively its performance-focused counterpart – the 2026 Kia EV9 GT, more of an Explorer ST rival – has also debuted.
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT joins the regular EV9 and the only other current high-performance all-electric model in Kia’s ever-expanding lineup of electrified offerings – the EV6 GT – all while providing more space for the whole family with its three rows of seating. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and dual electric motors churning out a combined (estimated, for now) 501 horsepower and can reportedly accelerate to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, though Kia has yet to reveal torque figures. For comparison’s sake, the regular EV9 generates 379 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, good for a 0-60 time of 5.0 seconds flat.
Interestingly, the 2026 Kia EV9 GT doesn’t just get more power, either – rather, it’s also equipped with some other performance-focused hardware such as beefier brakes with green-painted calipers, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, adaptive dampers, unique 21-inch wheels, and Continental performance tires. The EV9 GT also comes with a feature dubbed “Virtual Gear Shift,” which simulates mechanical gear changes, along with fake engine noises – while users can also “change gears” themselves using the paddle shifters.
Other unique features that set the 2026 Kia EV9 GT apart from its regular counterpart include unique patterns on the front and lower portions of the front bumper, additional seat bolstering, green accents inside the cabin, unique graphics for the digital instrument cluster, a neon green steering wheel hash mark, embroidered GT logos in the seats, and microsuede inserts. Kia hasn’t yet revealed range figures, pricing, or even what size battery is present in the EV9 GT, but we should know more when we get closer to its launch date planned for the second-half of 2025.
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