Kia axed the EV9 GT before it ever reached showrooms.
The company confirmed that the 501-horsepower performance SUV got delayed until further notice due to changing market conditions, corporate speak for nonexistent demand.
The EV9 GT was supposed to launch in the second half of this year, combining three-row practicality with proper speed.
Dual motors making 501 horsepower through All Wheel Drive delivered zero to 60mph in 4.3 seconds.
Electronic controlled suspension marked a first for Kia alongside limited slip differential and simulated gear shifts making it more engaging than standard EV9 variants.
Sales figures explain everything. October saw just over 660 EV9 units sold compared to 1,940 the same month the previous year.
That massive drop followed the scrapping of the federal tax credit, which hammered EV demand across multiple brands.
If regular EV9 already struggles, the pricier GT variant faced even worse prospects.
Pricing would’ve been brutal too. Standard EV9 GT-Line starts at $72,000, suggesting the GT variant commanded around $76,000 minimum.
That’s serious money for a Kia badge, regardless of performance credentials or standard kit included.
The GT promised unique styling, beefier front brakes, virtual gear shift technology, and NACS charging port.
It stood virtually alone in the segment with few rivals offering similar performance plus third row seating.
Hyundai doesn’t build an Ioniq 9 matching GT power whilst Jeep Wagoneer S and Chevrolet Blazer EV lack third rows entirely.
This marks the second Kia EV getting shelved recently. The company also postponed the EV4 sedan launch until further notice, citing identical market factors.
That small sedan was supposed to arrive early 2026 as one of the cheapest electric sedans available, especially base models with 58.3kWh battery packs.
The EV4 delay hurts particularly since Kia described it as temporary hold, wording that sounds anything but temporary in reality.
Kia still plans to bring the EV3 crossover stateside before the end of 2026. The small SUV already won the World Car of the Year 2025 award, proving it’s genuinely good.
Starting price below $35,000 would make it particularly appealing, though nothing’s confirmed yet.
The EV9 GT joins growing list of cancelled electric vehicles. Ram recently killed 1500 REV, whilst Volkswagen abandoned ID.7 plans for the American market.
Getting excited about new EV launches proves difficult given mounting cancellations in recent months.
Kia unveiled the EV9 GT at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, promising it would spark the hearts of driving enthusiasts needing six-passenger SUV practicality.
That promise now sits indefinitely delayed with American launch potentially scrubbed entirely.
