Kia announces the high performance of the EV9 GT with the apparent flexibility and charging of a native Tesla

Kia arrived at the LA Auto Show without either of its two redesigned electric vehicles, signs that the South Korean company still feels strong about its push into the plug-in car market.

First of all, the 2025 Kia EV9 GT is a performance version of its three-row SUV, which we first tested earlier this year. This one promises more power and a sportier feel than the version we’re driving, which has the GT Line badge but isn’t directly tuned for performance. The new GT trim comes with more than 500 horsepower (compared to 379hp in the 2024 model) and a zero to 60mph acceleration of 4.3 seconds. Kia calls it the “most powerful” three-row SUV ever made.

The dual-motor EV9 GT will also be Kia’s first car to feature a computer-controlled suspension for optimal handling, depending on your driving mode. Simply press the blue GT button on the steering wheel to access GT mode, dialing the shock damping to its firmest setting.

And like the Hyundai Ioniq 5N from sister company Kia, the EV9 GT will have a gearshift that mimics the feel of a step-shift automatic transmission — complete with fake engine noise. This provides noticeable “shifts” as the EV9 accelerates and can reduce acceleration when the rev limit is reached.

You can also use the paddles on either side of the steering wheel to manually shift gears. And at Kia they have something called “Active Sound Design (e-ASD)” that works in conjunction with the fake gear system to reproduce the sound of the gears changing as the car runs.

The EV9 has been incredibly popular for Kia, selling nearly 18,000 units in the US since its debut last December. But the carmaker recently said it will delay production of the SUV due to the cold policy environment.

There are design differences between the original and updated EV9 GT models, including 285/45R-21 Continental high-performance tires around special 21-inch wheels and neon green brake calipers that first appeared on the EV6 GT. And there are other GT lighting accents and digital graphics in the infotainment to entertain drivers with their big, powerful SUV.

But perhaps most importantly, the 2025 EV9 GT will be the first EV from Kia to come with a native Tesla / North American Charging System (NACS) port. That means when it comes out sometime next year, it will have access to all 15,000 Supercharger stations without the need for an adapter. Hyundai has already announced that its 2025 Ioniq 5 will also have factory-installed Tesla charging, so it’s another sign that the two South Korean automakers are leapfrogging the industry in adopting the new charging standard.

In addition, Kia announced the updated 2025 EV6 crossover, also with a traditional NACS port. The 2025 model year version of Kia’s flagship EV also gets a bigger battery with more capacity and longer range. And the charging port on the EV6 has been moved to the left rear fender to better match the Tesla Supercharger. (Kia will begin providing adapters to current EV owners next year.)

The 2023 EV6 we tested two years ago came standard with a 58kWh battery pack, which translates to a range of 232 miles. Now, the 2025 EV6 will come with a 63kWh battery, and an optional 84kWh pack that should get an estimated range of 319 miles in rear-wheel drive configuration.

The 2025 EV6 will be built at Hyundai and Kia’s Metaplant in Georgia, which means it may be eligible for a $7,500 tax credit while it’s still available. (President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the EV tax credit.) The EV9 GT, however, will be built in South Korea alongside the hot-selling EV6 GT and is expected to arrive in late 2025. The price of both models is expected. which will be released closer to production time.