At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia made good on its promise from earlier this year that a performance version of its EV9 would make its way to car buyers.
On the show floor Thursday, the 2026 EV9 GT was announced along with design and battery updates to the upcoming 2025 EV6 electric crossover and new trims and other updates across the 2026 Sportage lineup.
Introducing the 2026 Kia EV9 GT
A sportier dual-motor version of the EV9 large electric SUV with 501 horsepower ups the ante on the EV9. The base version only offers 215 horsepower and is bumped to 379 horses on the dual-motor GT-Line version.
But now the hefty SUV has all-wheel drive, electronically controlled suspension and a zero-to-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds. The most sluggish EV9 takes 8.8 seconds. The highest performance GT-Line makes it in 5.0 seconds.
The GT will look different from other EV9 trims with neon green accents throughout, 21-inch alloy wheels and other GT-specific branding. It will feature the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, which is what Tesla’s Supercharger network uses. Like other Kia EVs, the EV9 GT uses the E-GMP battery platform.
While Kia was earlier optimistic about a January arrival, the GT will be available in the second half of 2025 with pricing to come closer to sales opening. The EV9 starts at $54,900. The EV6’s GT version is around $62,000.
Kia updates the EV6 for model year 2025
Kia’s EV6 debuted in 2022 as the Korean brand’s first dedicated EV. Now it’s showing off updates for model year 2025.
A bigger 63 kWh battery is now standard (instead of 58 kWh on the current base trim) with a bigger 84 kWh battery available that offers up to 319 miles of range. The current max range is just over 300 miles.
The 2025 EV6 will be built at Kia’s plant in Georgia as an American-made EV. The current EV6 comes from South Korea and does not qualify for the likely-to-be-discontinued federal EV tax credit .
Inside notice some changes like a new steering wheel design and updated center console and 12.3-inch curved touchscreen display.
2026 Sportage ‘enhancements’ across gas, hybrid and plug-in versions
The Sportage is Kia’s longest-running SUV with its debut in 1993. Over 30 years later it’s still making updates on its fifth-generation model.
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The gas, hybrid and plug-in versions get new tech like standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and two new 12.3-inch dashboard displays. A new 10-inch head-up display is also available.
The hybrid version has two news trims for more rugged driving: S and X-Line trims. The combustion engine version offers LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige, X-Line, and X-Pro Prestige trims. The hybrid comes in LX, S, EX, X-Line, and SX-Prestige. The plug-in comes in X-Line and X-Line Prestige on the 1.6-liter turbo engine (GDI) with a 72 kW motor. The PHEV has about 34 miles of pure electric range.
Final thoughts
Kia is keeping things calm, cool and collected with incremental updates to its electrified lineup. The most notable announcement is the EV9 GT.
The new GT variant adds some buzz to the not-so-fresh EV9 after its U.S. arrival late last year and appeals to sporty drivers who crave more performance oomph for the massive SUV with a battery. It’s good timing with the similar Hyundai Ioniq 9 making a splash with its world premier at this year’s LA Auto Show.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.
