The Kia EV9 was first available for sale in Canada in December 2023. The EV9 has been quite a popular 3-row EV in Canada and the United States, and for a while was one of the only available “mainstream” 3-row EV. The Rivian RS1 was also available (and still is) back then but at a significantly higher price.
I’m quite familiar with the Kia EV9 (and its sibling the Hyundai Ioniq 9), and a big fan of the SUV. It’s a luxurious, spacious, quite efficient, and powerful vehicle. However, someone at Kia thought the EV9 GT-Line wasn’t powerful enough and came up with the EV9 GT, a more powerful version of the regular EV9.
There’s a lot to unpack here, from a charging network that actually works to a cabin that feels genuinely upscale.
I’m going to walk you through the performance, range, interior, and safety features so you can head into your test drive with the full picture. Let’s get into it.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT is priced at $85,295 and offers up to 502 horsepower with dual motors and all-wheel drive.
Estimated range reaches 418 kilometers, while fast charging from 10% to 80% takes just twenty-four minutes using a 350 kW charger.
The interior features seating for seven adults, a panoramic digital cockpit with Apple CarPlay, tri-zone climate control, and up to 81.7 cubic feet of cargo space.
Safety technology includes automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind spot warnings in the head-up display, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
NACS connectors provide access to thousands of Tesla Superchargers nationwide for easier public charging compared to many rivals.
Table of Contents
2026 Kia EV9 GT Canadian Prices
The Kia EV9 GT sits at the top of the food chain in the EV9 lineup, and comes fully loaded with no options offered, other than 7 exterior colors. The Canadian price is $85,295, before fees like Delivery & Destination of $2,150, Dealer Charges of $899, and Environmental Fees of $126. For a total of $88,720, before sales taxes. It’s not a cheap vehicle, but it’s still much cheaper than the Rivian R1S Dual (with slightly higher horsepower).
Performance and Power
Punch the throttle, and you’ll feel that electric powertrain pull like a freight train. Smooth, fast, and shockingly quiet. With all-wheel drive in play, this crossover makes merging into traffic almost too easy.
Electric Motor and Horsepower
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT packs serious muscle. You get a front motor with 214 horsepower and a rear motor with 362 horsepower, for a combined output of 502 horses ready to go. That’s an increase of 129 horsepower over the GT-Line trim, which was more than fast enough for my needs. The dual motors produce 545 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 29.
The single-speed transmission puts all that power down fast, while the dual-motor all-wheel drive system keeps you planted on any road, rain or shine.
Kia’s 99.8 kWh Lithium Ion battery feeds those motors plenty of juice. Towing? No sweat. AWD models can haul up to 5,000 pounds using self-leveling suspension and a dedicated trailering mode.
- Ground clearance: 7.8 inches with Terrain Mode built in
- Towing capacity: Up to 5,000 lbs on AWD trims
- Torque with Boost: 545 lb-ft
- Battery: 99.8 kWh Lithium Ion (Long Range trims)
Acceleration and 0-60 MPH Time
Stomp the pedal and feel the jolt. The Kia EV9 GT rockets from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.3 seconds. That’s quicker than the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and it does it while hauling a curb weight near 5,785 pounds. It is an unreal feeling, a big SUV (more like a minivan) going that quickly. Although, the regular GT-Line trim is also no slouch, it can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.0 seconds.
Range and Charging
Plugging in is simple, whether you use a Level 2 home charger or hit up one of those DC fast chargers with NACS connectors. You’ll be back on the road before your coffee has time to cool off. No more hunting for outdated J1772 plugs or worrying about Tesla Superchargers.
Estimated Range
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT has an estimated range of 418 kilometers in ideal conditions, which is slightly less than the less powerful GT-Line, which has an estimated range of 435 kilometers. However, I feel Hyundai/Kia always keep the range on the conservative site, as when I had the EV9 GT fully charged, the onboard computer showed an estimated range of 453 kilometers, with temperatures in the high single digit Celsius range. Of course, the range will go down in much colder conditions and how you drive it, the more sportier modes like “Sport” and “GT” decrease the range in exchange for increased power.
According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the 2026 Kia EV9 GT should consume 24.9/29.2/26.7 kWh/100 kilometers in city/highway/combined driving. During my week-long review, the onboard computer showed an average consumption of 24.6 kWh/100 km in 70/30 city/highway driving. Your mileage will vary.
Fast-Charging Capabilities
DC fast charging lets you juice up the 2026 Kia EV9 GT from 10% to 80% in about twenty-four minutes, using a 350 kW charger. Thanks to the use of North American Charging Standard, you don’t have to worry about finding a charger (that actually works), there are tens of thousands of Tesla chargers available in North America. However, the charge port on the EV9 is on the wrong side for Tesla chargers, which is on the passenger side, some of the older Tesla chargers don’t have long enough cables, so you end up taking two spots.
Worth noting: if you use a lower-power 50 kW charger, that same charge takes about 83 minutes in ideal conditions. For everyday use, a 48-amp, 240-volt Level 2 home charger like the ChargePoint Home Flex fills the battery in about 9 hours overnight. A regular 120-volt wall outlet? That takes days, so if you plan on charging at home, you’d need at least a level 2 home charger. Unless, your commute isn’t too long, like mine, then the standard 120-volt should do the trick (that’s what I used).
| Charging Method | Charge Speed | 10-80% Time |
|---|---|---|
| 350 kW DC Fast Charger | Up to 210 kW peak | ~24 minutes |
| 50 kW DC Fast Charger | 50 kW | ~83 minutes |
| Level 2 Home (240V, 48A) | 10.9 kW onboard | ~9 hours (full charge) |
| Standard 120V Outlet | Slow trickle | Several days |
Power goes beyond just driving. The EV9 supports vehicle-to-home (V2H), vehicle-to-grid (V2G), and onboard generator features for extra flexibility if you have compatible gear at home.
Interior and Technology
You’ll spot a massive gauge cluster with sharp graphics the moment you sit down, plus a smart key that welcomes you in. If your smartphone is always in your hand, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa make sure you’re never out of the loop, even on quick trips to the store or soccer practice.
Luxury Features and Comfort
Slide into the 2026 Kia EV9 and feel the space immediately. This SUV offers 42.8 inches of second-row legroom, which beats out big names like the Cadillac Escalade. Got a crew? The cabin holds up to seven adults with room to spare.
You get power front seats trimmed in SynTex suede, heated and ventilated for every season, plus Relaxation Mode that lets you recline at red lights. Your passenger even gets a power leg rest, available while parked.
A few cabin details worth calling out:
- Tri-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable, front to back
- Ambient mood lighting with customizable colors via the digital touch controls
- Sound-insulating glass drops highway noise to just 58.2 decibels, so conversations are easy at speed
- Dual panoramic sunroofs come standard on the GT-Line
- Drop all rows flat for up to 81.7 cubic feet of cargo space, plus a 3.2 cubic foot frunk up front
The second-row seat position also stood out to reviewers. Unlike many other EVs that force a knees-up posture, the EV9’s seating feels natural and comfortable, more like a traditional SUV than a compromised EV interior.
Infotainment and Connectivity Options
You get a 30-inch panoramic digital cockpit in the Kia EV9. This spread includes a 12.3-inch driving cluster, another 12.3-inch touchscreen for your apps and maps, plus a separate 5-inch climate control panel so you’re never guessing which button to push.
The Meridian Premium Audio System packs 14 speakers, a subwoofer, and an external amp. Music feels crisp at any speed, and Kia designed it to deliver great sound for all three rows, not just the front.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Six USB-C fast-charging ports are ready in all rows, perfect for long trips with friends or kids who need constant juice for their devices.
A head-up display beams blind spot warnings right onto your windshield, keeping your eyes on the road. Digital Key 2.0 lets you lock, unlock, or start using only your phone. You can even share access with up to three people.
Remote Smart Parking Assist handles tight spaces without breaking a sweat. Its parking collision-avoidance tech watches every curb and intersection for you. Grab upgrades from the Kia Connect Store too: Lighting Patterns for night drives and Boost for more power, both delivered via over-the-air update straight from Kia America, Inc.
Built-in Alexa means you just speak to set reminders or play tunes. Remote climate control keeps things comfortable before you even step outside.
Driver-Assistance Technology
The 2026 Kia EV9 comes loaded with a full suite of driver-assistance features that work together through Kia’s Drive Wise ADAS platform. These systems use a mix of radar and camera sensors to give you real coverage around the vehicle.
Active Safety Features
The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system uses radar and cameras to detect potential frontal collisions. If a risk is detected, it alerts you and can automatically apply the brakes to reduce or prevent impact. This covers pedestrians, cyclists, and junction scenarios, not just other vehicles.
Lane-following assist and lane-keeping assist work together to keep you centered. The lane-departure warning alerts you if you start drifting without signaling, while lane-keeping provides gentle steering corrections. Real-world EV9 owners on forums report that the Highway Driving Assist 2 system handles rush-hour stop-and-go traffic impressively well on its own.
Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist goes a step further than a simple warning. If it detects a vehicle in your blind spots when you’re changing lanes, it automatically warns you and can assist your steering to help avoid a collision. When you flip the turn signal, the Blind-Spot View Monitor also displays a live camera feed in the cluster so you can see exactly what’s beside you.
Smart Cruise and Parking Tech
Smart cruise control adjusts your speed automatically to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. The Intelligent Speed Limit Assist reads road signs and can adjust your cruise speed to match posted limits automatically.
On the parking side, you get Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist front and rear, with parking sensors that issue both audible and visual warnings. The system can apply brakes automatically if something gets too close. Remote Smart Parking Assist, standard on the GT-Line, lets you guide the EV9 into a space from outside the vehicle using your smartphone.
2026 Kia EV9 GT – The Muscle Car Of The SUV World
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT packs power, style, and real comfort for daily driving and weekend adventures. You get fast charging options like NACS charging and access to over 25,000 Tesla Superchargers, making it easy to stay on the move.
The digital cockpit, smart cruise control, generous cargo space, and strong safety tools like automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist make every drive feel confident and connected.
The starting MSRP brings real value for a three-row electric SUV with this much hardware. Most non-GT trims are also assembled at Kia’s West Point, Georgia plant, so they qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. That’s worth factoring into your total cost. Use the build and price tool to find the trim that fits your needs, and get a test drive scheduled. This one is worth your time.
2026 Kia EV9 GT Review Photo Gallery
People Also Ask
Does the 2026 Kia EV9 GT support fast charging?
Yes, you can easily power up on the road using the nationwide fast charging network, thanks to its new NACS charging port that grants access to Tesla Superchargers. For your garage, setting up a Level 2 home charger is the smartest move for overnight top-offs. This setup means you get the convenience of DC fast-charging on road trips and everyday readiness at home.
What driver assistance technology does the 2026 Kia EV9 GT offer?
The EV9 GT is packed with driver assistance technology, including radar-based smart cruise control and auto emergency braking to keep you safe on the highway. You also get lane following assist, lane-keeping assist, a lane-departure warning, and parking sensors that make backing up easy. These driver-assistance tools work flawlessly with the automated emergency braking to ensure your blind spots are always covered.
Is the 2026 Kia EV9 GT available in all-wheel drive?
Yes, the EV9 GT comes standard with a powerful all-wheel drive setup that effortlessly handles the vehicle’s 7,187-pound GVWR, giving you significantly more grip than rear-wheel drive models the second you hit your turn signal to pass.
How does the EV9 GT compare to other Kia models?
While subcompact SUVs like the Kia Soul and a compact SUV like the Kia Sportage are great for the city, the three-row EV9 GT offers 160 cubic feet of passenger room and over 500 horsepower. It completely dwarfs the new Kia K4 sedan and even provides serious competition for upcoming EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 9.
What are the key comfort features inside the 2026 Kia EV9 GT?
Inside, you will find massive panoramic sunroofs that flood the cabin with light, and a handy voice assistant to control your settings while using cruise control. It also uses an energy-saving heat pump to preserve its EPA fuel economy in cold weather, while still giving you 81.7 cubic feet of versatile cargo space.
