And much like the Hyundai Ioniq 5N from Kia’s sister company, the EV9 GT will feature virtual gear shifting that simulates the feel of a traditional step-shift automatic transmission — complete with fake engine noises. This provides noticeable “shifts” as the EV9 accelerates and can reduce acceleration when the rev limit is reached.

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

Kia has a new performance-oriented electric vehicle in its lineup. The 2026 Kia EV9 GT is the automaker's most powerful three-row SUV. The sporty electric people hauler comes with a Tesla NACS charging connector from the factory.