2026 Kia EV9 GT Launch: 501 hp Family SUV That Rewrites the Segment
Oliver Bennett·12 May 2026·8 min read
The EV9 GT launches in UAE showrooms — the world's fastest-accelerating 7-seat production SUV at any price point. 4.3 seconds, 501 hp, AED 279,000.
There is no production 7-seat SUV available at any price in the UAE that accelerates faster than 4.3 seconds to 100 km/h. Until the EV9 GT, you could buy a Lamborghini Urus or a Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid and still not match the performance of this AED 279,000 Kia.
Quick-Take Overview
Design & Exterior
The EV9 GT adds exterior differentiation that earns the performance badge: unique 22-inch forged alloys in dark finish, front bumper with larger air intakes, rear diffuser, and red GT badging throughout. The Matte Terra Brown paint option is GT-exclusive and genuinely unusual in the UAE market.
Inside: Nappa leather with GT quilted stitching, Alcantara headliner, illuminated GT scuff plates and Meridian premium audio (14-speaker, 1,100W) are all standard.
Interior & Technology
The EV9 GT inherits the standard EV9's award-winning interior — the 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch rear passenger display — and adds GT-specific performance displays. The GT performance meter shows G-force, acceleration rate and driving efficiency in real time.
The shift-by-wire transmission frees the centre console for maximum storage — a practical benefit in a 7-seat family SUV used for school runs and airport trips alongside weekend performance driving.
Powertrain & Performance
| Spec | EV9 GT |
|---|---|
| Motor configuration | Dual AWD |
| Combined power | 501 hp |
| Combined torque | 700 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.3 sec |
| Battery | 99.8 kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 440 km |
| Charging (10–80%) | 24 min at 350 kW |
The GT's electronically controlled suspension (standard) stiffens in Sport mode for the circuit-focussed driving that the power figures invite. The rear-biased torque vectoring — sending up to 80% of power to the rear in GT mode — creates a driving character closer to a rear-wheel-drive performance car than a conventional AWD family SUV.
Pricing
One trim only: EV9 GT at AED 279,000. Fully equipped.
Optional packages: - Matte Terra Brown exterior (AED 5,900) - Black Chrome package (AED 4,500)
Verdict
The EV9 GT is one of the most remarkable value propositions in the UAE automotive market. A 501 hp, 7-seat family SUV with 24-minute fast charging, 440 km range and Korean reliability — at AED 279,000 — cannot be matched at any price from any established luxury brand.
The only asterisk: buyers need home charging capability. The EV9 GT's 440 km range is sufficient for all UAE use, but the fast-charging network for sustained power delivery is still developing outside DEWA's Dubai network.
Recommended: Buy immediately if you have home charging. It will be sought after as a used car within 2 years.