Use of Power: The 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line

For many people, the point of electrifying a large vehicle is to optimize its economy. To travel farther on fewer units of energy.

Kia makes EV9s that will do that. The Light Long Range is the EV9 with the greatest range per charge (320 miles). It accomplishes that with a 99.8 kWh battery and a single electric motor powering the rear wheels, making 201 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You'll go farther, but slowly. Kia itself estimates the EV9 Light Long Range will take 8.8 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.

The Kia EV9 GT-Line uses the same battery, adds an electric motor to the front wheels, thus creating all-wheel drive, achieves 379 horsepower and a staggering 516 pound-feet of torque.

It knocks that 0-60 time down to five seconds flat. Top speed rises from 115 mph to 124. And, rather remarkably, all that speed and fury costs a mere 25 miles in range.

To quote Magnus Pike, "SCIENCE!" Or, if you're in a more philosophical mood, Paul Simon ("These are the days of miracle and wonder"). It is possible now to be an eco-friendly hooligan.

There is a hood release under a cover beneath the dashboard. The specs say there's only 4.4 cubic feet of usable space in there.

It's what's under this door on the right rear fender that's news--an NACS charging port, the type Tesla uses. This opens up more and more reliable charging stations for Kia EV9 owners. But because Tesla Superchargers can't put out the kind of power the EV9's 800-volt architecture can eat up, there's also an adaptor that allows you to continue to use DC Fast Charging stations.

Cargo space is plentiful and flexible in the 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line. There's 20.2 cubic feet of room behind the third-row seats, which are split-folding, allowing you to maintain at least some seating if you need to.

If you don't, fold those and there's 43.5 cubic feet behind row number two. Those seats also fold individually, but if you drop both, it's 81.7 cubic feet. While the third row folds flat, and the center captains chairs fold flat ahead of that, there is a gap between the second-row seats that goes all the way to the floor. It can be handy for small to medium sized items.

Second-row legroom is generous at 42.8 inches. The third row is best left to kids, with only 32.0 inches with the standard captain's chairs, and a mere 29.9 inches when equipped, as ours was, with the optional Second Row Relaxation Package ($2,000).

The base price of the 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line is $71,900 ($73,395 including destination). That price buys a lengthy list of standard equipment, including a comprehensive suite of active safety features, navigation, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Kia Connect services with a three-year Ultimate subscription, a free three-month subsciription to Sirius XM satellite radio, a Meridian Premium audio system, wireless device charging, synthetic leather seating trim, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated second-row captain's chair, smartphone digital key, power tilt and telescopic heated steering wheel, memory driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors, a digital interior rearview mirror with HomeLink, 21-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, GT-Line exterior and interior styling, front passenger comfort tilt seat with leg suppport, remote smart parking assist, dual sunroofs, a smart power tailgate, digital pattern lighting grille and a tire mobility kit.

As loaded as that is, our test vehicle did have some extra-cost options: Wolf Gray paint with black roof ($895), the aforementioned GT-Line Second Row Relaxation Package ($2,000), carpeted floor mats ($225) and a cargo cover ($155).

Bottom line on the window sticker: $76,670.

While that sounds like a chunk, Kia has actually lowered the price of the EV9 GT-Line since its introduction. The 2024 model I reviewed for the Los Altos Town Crier in July of '24 had a base price of $75,395 including destination. That's been cut by $2,000, softening some of the blow caused by the end of the EV tax credit.

The 2026 Kia EV9 is a great way to go fast while still showing some love to Mother Nature.