Expensive Kia or cut-price Audi Q8 e-tron? 2025 Kia EV9 GT finally confirmed with simulated combustion heart of Ioniq 5 N also joining updated 478kW Kia EV6 GT to further gap Tesla Model Y Performance

Kia announced the first details of its much-anticipated EV9 GT model at this year's Los Angeles motor show.

Alongside the seven-seater, the swoopy EV6 GT has also been treated to a host of performance and design upgrades.

Both the new EV9 GT and updated EV6 GT lean heavily on the learnings from Hyundai's fantastic Ioniq 5 N, with a simulated transmission, engine sounds and plenty of drive-mode customisation.

The EV9 will go on sale in the US in the second half of 2025, though is yet to be confirmed for Australia.

Pricing hasn’t been confirmed in the US by Kia, but it’s likely to attract a handsome premium over the current range.

In Australia, the EV6 GT is $12,000 more than the GT-Line, but the Ioniq 5 N cuts a more significant $19,000 premium. We'd expect the EV9 GT to be in excess of $135,000 if it arrives in Australia, potentially later next year.

2025 Kia EV9 GT

That's expensive for a Kia, but compared to other big performance SUVS like the Range Rover Sport, Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQG, it could be a bit of a bargain.

Kia hasn't revealed exactly what the EV9 GT’s power and torque outputs will be, though it is teasing somewhere around 374kW, with a targeted 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.3 seconds.

For reference, the EV9 GT-Line and Earth each boast an output of 283kW/700Nm, a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.4 seconds and respective ranges of 505km and 512km.

2025 Kia EV9 GT

Though details are yet to be fully confirmed, the EV9 GT is likely to gain a bigger battery pack over the Earth and GT-Line's 99.8kWh unit, which is rumoured to be the 110.3kWh unit revealed on the Hyundai Ioniq 9.

As with the Earth and GT-Line, the GT will use a dual-motor all-wheel drive set up. Features such as electronically controlled suspension with configurable drive modes, an electronic limited-slip differential and upgraded brakes with calipers in Kia’s distinct neon green set the full-fat GT apart.

A virtual shift drive mode, borrowed from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, will replicate the gear changes of a traditional transmission and simulate the feeling of accelerating to the GT's simulated redline. The system can be turned off, along with the EV9 GT’s artificial engine noises.

2025 Kia EV6

The EV9 GT will also benefit from stickier Continental tyres that wrap around specially designed 21-inch wheels.

In addition to its unique rims, the EV9 GT's front end will be distinguished from the rest of the line-up with a unique illuminated pattern on the bumper, as well as special design features on the lower valance.

Inside, the EV9 scores neon green accents throughout the cabin and bolstered seats with embossed GT graphics and microfibre inserts to compensate for the car’s boost in power and grip.

Kia says the digital driver’s display will be configurable to exclusive GT graphics, while there will be a new GT button on the steering wheel to activate the car's most powerful mode.

2025 Kia EV6

Moving over to the EV6 — which already boasts a GT variant — Kia will add more driving range across the updated line-up by way of larger battery packs, which are up from 77.4kWh to 84.0kWh in Australia, where we only get long-range trims. Kia is targeting 14 km of additional range on RWD Air and GT-line.

The all-wheel drive EV6 GT gets a power boost to mirror its cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, with a standard output of 448kW/740Nm, up from the previous GT’s output of 430kW/740Nm.

It will also match the Ioniq 5 N’s peak output in 'Performance' mode, which delivers a 10 second boost to 478kW/770Nm. The EV6 GT will also gain the Virtual Gear Shift and new artificial engine noises.

Kia claims to have also improved steering response by adding a "belt-type" steering column, while electric tilt and a telescopic adjust improves steering wheel positioning. Cabin acoustics are enhanced with more sound absorping materials and a sturdier underbody frame.

2025 Kia EV6

In terms of design, the EV6 will get its first refresh since being introduced to the local market in 2022 with sharper, triangular shaped headlights and a thin LED daytime running light across the piece of gloss black trim that sits between the bonnet and front bumper.

The bumpers are also new, boasting funky geometric patterns. The rear LED light bar remains but gains new graphics, while there’s fresh 19- and 21-inch alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the multimedia touchscreen grows from 12.0 to 12.3 inches, while the unit that houses it and the 12.0-inch digital driver’s display has become boxier. Kia has also updated the EV6’s steering wheel match the rest of its new models.

As with the EV9, pricing is unclear at this stage, but it’s likely to arrive in Australia in early 2025 along with the rest of the facelifted Kia EV6 variants.