Kia has made a splash at the LA Auto Show, unveiling two refreshed products, the 2025 Kia EV6 and 2026 Kia Sportage models, as well as a performance-oriented EV9 GT trim.
2025 Kia EV6
Kia’s first real, mainstream entrant into the EV space was the EV6, which debuted in 2020. Now, Kia is delivering an updated version for the 2025 model year that brings fresh design, new tech, and larger batteries.
Beginning with its styling, the Kia EV6 has always been a design-driven vehicle, and this new 2025 version brings visual updates to keep it fresh. These updates most notably include a dramatically redesigned front end featuring new headlight units with elaborate, linear accent lighting and sleeker headlights. The sides remain largely unchanged, with new wheel designs, while the rear gets new taillight graphics and a slightly tweaked bumper design.
Inside, the 2025 Kia EV6 gains a new digital cockpit design featuring dual 12.3-inch screens mounted behind a single curved piece of glass. Buyers will also be greeted by a new steering wheel, new finishes for interior trim, and a quieter cabin thanks to additional sound-deadening material being added throughout.
Nearly all versions of the 2025 EV6 will arrive with the NACS port as standard, which has been conveniently relocated to the left rear fender so as to better align with Tesla Supercharger charging configurations. Notably, the GT version will not get this update as it will be built in a different plant for the time being.
Kia has swapped the smaller 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs of the current model for larger 63 kWh and 84 kWh packs, respectively, both of which are shared with the new Hyundai Ioniq 5. These larger packs naturally boost range numbers, with the largest pack now capable of going 319 miles on a charge, an increase of 9 miles over the outgoing smaller pack.
The GT version gets a new dual-motor system that makes an impressive 601 hp with the ability to temporarily boost that number to an even more impressive 645 hp in GT mode. These new output numbers represent a 65 hp increase over the outgoing GT model. The GT also gains the virtual gear shift mode of its sister car, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, that mimics the sensation of actual gear changes (without actual gear changes happening).
Sales of the updated 2025 Kia EV6 are slated to begin in the first half of 2025.
2026 Kia Sportage
The brand’s popular Sportage crossover also arrives with a makeover for the 2026 model year.
From a design standpoint, the 2026 Kia Sportage gets a thoroughly revised front end complete with a new, more rugged-looking grille and vertically stacked headlights that lend it a more serious, boxy appearance. That front end is where most of the exterior design changes happen, with the sides and rear mostly retaining the same styling as the current version. New wheel options, including some very unique looking four-spoke units, round out the exterior changes.
Inside, the Sportage gains numerous updates, including a new two-spoke steering wheel, newly standard 12.3-inch dual digital displays, and even relocated air vents for a more streamlined look. Buyers will be able to opt for a new 10-inch head-up display, a Harmon Kardon premium sound system, and heated rear seats.
The 2026 Kia Sportage will arrive with some updated powertrain options and will continue to be available in ICE, hybrid, and PHEV configurations. The entry-level powertrain remains a 2.5-lt four-cylinder unit making 187 hp paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid version, which combines a new 1.6-lt turbo four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, now makes 231 hp thanks to an upgrade to said electric motor. The PHEV model gains an additional 7 hp for a total system output of 268 hp.
The 2026 Kia Sportage is due to arrive in US dealerships in Q2 of 2025.
2026 Kia EV9 GT
Finally, Kia has introduced the 2026 Kia EV9 GT trim that represents the pinnacle of performance for the popular EV9 line.
It features two electric motors, one at the front making 214 hp, and one at the rear making 362 hp, for a system capable of producing 576, but that will arrive capped at producing 501 hp in production for undisclosed reasons. This configuration will be able to run 0-60 in a scant 4.3 seconds, an impressive figure for a vehicle of this size. The EV9 GT also has a user-configurable adaptive suspension system and a green GT button on the steering wheel that engages the vehicle’s sportiest settings all at the same time. Like the EV6 GT, the EV9 GT will also have a virtual gear shift system that mimics the sensation of actual gear shifts.
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT will arrive with the NACS charge port standard and will be able to charge from 10 to 80% in just 25 minutes on an appropriately fast DC fast charging station.
Visually, the EV9 GT gets a slightly revised front facia with unique lighting elements and active air flaps to aid in aerodynamic performance. Other updates include model-specific 21-inch wheels and even green-colored brake calipers (green being the GT trim’s theme color).
Inside, the EV9 GT gets a few notable design upgrades, including unique sports seats featuring Alcantara inserts, model-specific ambient lighting, and an assortment of GT badges.
The 2026 Kia EV9 GT should begin arriving at US dealerships in the second half of 2025.