2026 Kia EV9

The 2026 Kia EV9 is a midsize three-row electric SUV with seating for up to seven passengers and available towing capacity of 5,000 pounds on select AWD trims. Comparable vehicles include the Hyundai IONIQ 9, Rivian R1S, and Tesla Model X. The 2026 model is a carryover from the prior design with minor refinements. Powertrain options consist of rear-wheel-drive single-motor setups on Light trims, delivering 215 horsepower with a 76.1-kWh battery or 201 horsepower with a 99.8-kWh battery on the Light Long Range trim, and all-wheel-drive dual-motor configurations on Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT trims that produce 379 horsepower and up to 516 lb-ft of torque with available Boost mode from a 99.8-kWh battery pack. EPA-estimated ranges span from 230 to 304 miles depending on the configuration.

The infotainment system centers on a 29.6-inch panoramic display integrating a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch central touchscreen with navigation, and 5-inch climate control panel. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, multi-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless phone charging, and multiple USB-C ports. For 2026, features include a standard North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for Tesla Supercharger compatibility, Boost mode as a digital service for enhanced acceleration, and optional Remote Smart Parking Assist. The Kia Connect app supports remote start, climate preconditioning, charging scheduling, and vehicle status monitoring, along with over-the-air updates for infotainment, maps, and battery management available for up to 10 years with an active subscription.

What You're Really Signing Up For

• Kia Connect app requires paid subscription for core features.
• Collects and tracks detailed driving data with hard-to-opt-out privacy settings.
• App often disconnects when idle and has remote start connectivity failures.
• CarPlay connections unreliable with frequent autoplay glitches.
• Documentation incomplete; key details hidden in digital manuals that change with updates.