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.

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.