Overview
The Kia EV9 GT positions itself as the high-performance flagship of the brand's EV line-up, taking a multi-award-winning 3-row SUV and adding performance credentials. Occupying a unique space in the premium electric SUV market, it blends sports car acceleration with the massive utility of a family cruiser. It effectively targets high-end German alternatives by offering a compelling mix of performance, space, and technology at a more competitive price point.
Design
Building on the bold, blocky styling of the standard model, the GT variant introduces a new aggressive and technical look. It features a bespoke digital lighting grille, an expanded black bumper area and gunmetal skid plates. The premium look is added to by gloss black wheel arches, matching side sills, and a sleek black roof rack. It rides on exclusive 21-inch alloy wheels featuring enlarged openings designed to optimize brake cooling, which prominently showcase vibrant neon green GT brake calipers.
Interior
Inside, the cabin strikes a balance between digital technology and premium sportiness, highlighted by neon green stitching and accents throughout. High-backed semi-bucket seats are upholstered in genuine Alcantara and artificial leather, featuring ambient backrest lighting to create a high-tech feel. The premium Alcantara treatment extends across the dashboard and door trims. Drivers are met with a triple-panoramic display consisting of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5.3-inch climate control panel, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system, all backed by a 14-speaker Meridian premium sound system and a customisable head-up display.
Performance & Powertrains
Underneath the skin, the EV9 GT utilises a performance-boosted dual-motor AWD system paired with a 100kWh battery pack. A 139kW motor on the front axle and a 235kW motor on the rear combine to produce a massive 501bhp and 740Nm of torque. This setup propels the heavy SUV from 0-62mph in just 4.6 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 136mph. The model achieves a range of up to 316 miles on one charge. Leveraging its 800V architecture, ultra-rapid DC charging from 10 to 80 percent takes just 24 minutes on a 350kW charger. Driving dynamics are drastically sharpened through an electric limited-slip differential, Electronically Controlled Suspension with road preview, and a unique GT drive mode that utilizes a Virtual Gear Shift system to mimic mechanical gear changes.
Practicality
Despite the performance upgrades, everyday family usability remains completely intact. The vehicle offers a standard 7-seat layout with an auto-folding 2nd row and power-folding 50:50 split 3rd row, though a 6-seat option with individual captain's chairs is available. Boot space stands at a usable 333 litres with all 3 rows upright, expanding to 828 litres with the 3rd row folded down, and expanding further to over 2,300 litres with all rear seats flattened. A 52-litre front trunk provides additional dedicated storage for charging cables, and the vehicle maintains a robust braked towing capacity of 2,500kg.
Buying
The Kia EV9 GT starts from £82,845 on the road for the standard 7-seat configuration, while the luxury 6-seat version carries a slight premium at £83,845. As a standalone flagship trim, optional extras are largely limited to premium paint choices. The EV Hub recommended configuration is the luxury 6-seat model, which delivers maximum comfort alongside the full suite of high-performance mechanical upgrades.