Don't Wait For The Kia EV9 GT: Why It May Never Come To The U.S.

"The 500-hp Kia EV9 GT was supposed to officially debut in the U.S. by the end of 2025, but now it may not debut at all. Car and Driver reached out to Kia, which confirmed the model had been postponed until further notice due to "changing market conditions." It would have cost over $80,000, which is a hard sell in a world with no tax credits and potential import duties."

"Since the EV9 GT's announced launch window was drawing to a close, Car and Driver reached out to the manufacturer, which confirmed it had been delayed until further notice, just like the EV4 sedan. That may mean it's not coming, since the U.S. luxury electric car market is cooling and selling expensive EVs is harder than it used to be, especially after the end of the $7,500 federal tax credit. Tariffs may also play a role here."

"While both Hyundai and Kia manufacturer their high-volume EVs in the U.S., their performance products tend to come from Korea. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are both built in the U.S., but if you want a hot Ioniq 5 N or EV6 GT, it'll come from Korea. If Kia planned the same split for the EV9, it's possible that the 15% tariff on imported South Korean cars made the plans unworkable."

Kia postponed the 500-hp EV9 GT for the U.S., removing its end-of-2025 debut window and leaving its market entry uncertain. The planned top variant targeted roughly 500 horsepower, a 0–60 sprint just over 4 seconds, and sporty styling. Pricing would likely exceed $80,000, about $10,000 above the EV9 GT-Line's $71,900. Market headwinds — a cooling U.S. luxury EV segment and the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit — reduce demand for expensive EVs. Additional costs from a possible 15% tariff on South Korean imports could make a Korea-built performance variant unviable. Buyers may not justify extra cost for niche performance features.

Read at insideevs.com