The Kia EV9 Light Long Range offers about 490 km range, while Wind, Land, and GT-Line trims deliver around 450 km on a single full charge.
By Reetika Bhatt
Kia has globally unveiled the 2026 EV9 SUV, introducing the striking Nightfall Edition in the United States. This all-electric, three-row SUV boasts a range of up to 491 km, catering to families seeking both performance and sustainability. The Nightfall Edition enhances the dual-motor Land AWD trim with exclusive gloss-black accents, 20-inch wheels, and a unique Roadrider Brown paint option. Inside, it features a premium black interior with genuine stitching, available in either a six or seven-seat configuration. Performance is elevated with a Boost function that increases torque from 600Nm to 700Nm, enabling 0–100km/h acceleration in just 4.5 seconds. Built in Kia’s West Point, Georgia plant, the EV9 now features the North American Charging Standard, granting access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. The EV9 Nightfall Edition is set to hit dealerships in Q2 2025.
The brand has reimagined the 2026 EV9 with the launch of the Nightfall Edition, a new take on the Land trim that emphasises a darker, more aggressive styling theme. Though the overall body design remains consistent with earlier versions, this edition introduces a more rugged visual identity through a suite of shadow-themed upgrades.
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Distinctive elements include gloss-black mirror housings, blacked-out skid plates, and custom 20-inch dark alloy wheels. Exclusive Nightfall badging, along with black roof rails, side rails, and subtly smoked front and rear accents, further sharpen its bold, outdoorsy character. These styling refinements give the EV9 a commanding presence, clearly distinguishing the Nightfall Edition from the rest of the lineup while preserving the SUV’s core design language.
The 2026 Kia EV9 continues to utilise the E-GMP platform carried over from the current model. It also offers the same battery choices – a 76.1kWh unit and a larger 99.8kWh pack – delivering maximum outputs of 198bhp and 373bhp, respectively. Despite retaining the existing battery configurations, Kia has focused on enhancing overall efficiency and driving range across the lineup. The Light Long Range variant now boasts an estimated range of approximately 490 km, while the Wind, Land, and GT-Line trims are each expected to achieve around 450 km on a full charge, reflecting the brand’s efforts to optimize performance without altering core powertrain specifications.
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Kia has made strategic pricing adjustments to its EV9 electric SUV range in the U.S., refining select trims to better position the model in the competitive EV market. The base variant holds steady at USD 54,900, but the Light Long Range version now carries a reduced price tag of USD 57,900, down from its earlier cost of USD 59,900. Meanwhile, the EV9 Land has been repriced at USD 69,900, and the range-topping GT-Line now costs USD 73,900, marking a modest increase from its former USD 71,900.