Kia EV9 GT: Because Soccer Practice Can't Wait
Image Credit: Kia.
Kia went and slapped a GT badge on an electric family crossover. Brilliant, simply brilliant. Because when I think of hauling groceries and ferrying the kids to soccer practice, I naturally crave tire-shredding acceleration and neck-snapping cornering. That's my initial impression. But then… maybe Kia's onto something here? Maybe this is the dawn of a new era, where minivans and SUVs become muscle cars. That would turn grocery runs into a bravery test. I kinda like that idea.
Or maybe, just maybe, it's another marketing ploy to make us believe that practicality and performance can work together in perfect harmony. I'll stop there, no more skepticism. Let's give this electric pony a chance to prove itself.
The regular all-wheel-drive EV9 has two motors, one on each axle, that deliver a respectable 189 horsepower each. But the GT? Oh, the GT gets a sizable shot of adrenaline. It has a 214-horsepower front motor and a rear motor that pumps out 362 horsepower. Now, I'm no mathematician, but those numbers don't quite add up to the advertised 501 horsepower. Kia says they're still fine-tuning the figures, so maybe they've discovered a hidden stash of ponies somewhere in the electric circuitry.
Confusing numbers aside, Kia claims this electrified beast can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. That's 0.7 seconds quicker than the EV9 GT-Line AWD, which is already very spritely. To handle all that extra oomph, the EV9 GT gets beefier brakes, a retuned suspension with adaptive dampers, sticky Continental tires wrapped around 21-inch wheels, and an electronic rear limited-slip differential. So, it's not just about straight-line speed; this thing should be able to handle corners as well. It won't behave like a squirrel on a caffeine high, but it should stick to the intended line.
Image Credit: Kia.
Now, the next bit is my pet peeve. I know some people like this stuff, but honestly - I don't see the point of it. Kia has added a feature called Virtual Gear Shift (VGS), which is essentially a digital trick that mimics the feel of a good old-fashioned auto gearbox. It's like having a ghost of a gas-guzzler living inside your electric car. This quirky system simulates engine sounds, gear shifts, and even cuts the torque to make you feel like you are driving an SUV back from 2005. You can even use the paddle shifters to "row through the gears," even though there aren't any actual gears to be found. I've tried this technology in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and let me tell you, if you crave the old days so much, this tech can be surprisingly convincing.
The EV9 GT has plenty of style, too. It flaunts unique 21-inch wheels, sporty trim pieces, and lime-green accents. Inside, you'll find bolstered sports seats wrapped in Alcantara, because who says saving the planet can't be done in comfort?
Image Credit: Kia.
Of course, no modern car would be complete without a suite of driver-assist technologies, and the EV9 GT delivers in spades. It also comes standard with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, so you can juice up at any Tesla Supercharger station you come across. Just imagine the look on the Tesla drivers' faces when you pull up in your Kia. Priceless.
Kia hasn't spilled any beans yet when it comes to pricing, but expect it to cost a bit more than the current GT-Line AWD, which rings in at $75,395. As for range, well, let's just say that all that power comes at a cost. Don't expect to match the GT-Line AWD's 270 miles on a single charge.
The Kia EV9 GT is a bit of an enigma. It's a slightly confused family car that thinks it's a sports car. An electric SUV with a thirst for the roar of a gasoline engine. A proper Frankensteinian creation of automotive engineering with a dash of madness. But you know what? I like it. And I think the future of driving, even if a little bit ridiculous, is really worth celebrating. Ready or not, the Kia EV9 GT is coming, and it's bringing the thunder. Or, at least, a very convincing simulation of it.
