Summary
The 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition is a special variant of Kia’s all-electric three-row SUV that combines aggressive, dark-themed styling with enhanced performance and advanced technology. Building on the award-winning EV9 platform, the Nightfall Edition extends Kia’s popular Nightfall design language—previously featured on models such as the Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride—by incorporating exclusive gloss black exterior accents, a unique Roadrider Brown paint option, and a refined black interior with premium materials and ambient lighting. This edition aims to attract buyers seeking a visually distinctive electric SUV with a blend of style, comfort, and cutting-edge features.
Technologically, the EV9 Nightfall Edition offers a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance systems including Highway Driving Assist 2, blind-spot collision avoidance, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, contributing to top safety ratings from the IIHS and Euro NCAP. The cabin emphasizes connectivity and entertainment with a minimalist user interface, premium Meridian audio, and over-the-air software updates, enhancing the driving experience for modern electric vehicle enthusiasts.
Performance is a key highlight of the Nightfall Edition, featuring a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain paired with a 99.8 kWh battery that delivers 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque in normal operation, with a boost mode temporarily increasing torque to 516 lb-ft for quicker acceleration and more dynamic driving. This powertrain enables a 0-60 mph time of approximately 4.5 seconds, positioning the Nightfall Edition among the quicker electric SUVs with three-row seating.
The EV9 Nightfall Edition is notable not only for its striking design and advanced safety technologies but also for its role in expanding Kia’s electric vehicle lineup with a premium offering tailored to style-conscious families and performance-minded drivers alike. Set to launch in 2026 with an expected starting price above $73,000 and eligibility for federal tax incentives, the Nightfall Edition reinforces Kia’s commitment to innovation in the rapidly evolving electric SUV market.
Overview
The 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition combines sophisticated and aggressive styling with advanced electric vehicle technology to deliver a standout driving experience. Debuting at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, the Nightfall Edition package extends Kia’s signature dark-themed design elements—previously available on models like the Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride—to the award-winning EV9, allowing customers to choose a visually distinctive variant featuring exclusive styling touches and colors.
Technologically, the EV9 is equipped with cutting-edge features such as Highway Driving Assist 2, over-the-air software updates, and a premium Meridian audio system, ensuring connectivity and entertainment throughout the drive. Safety is a priority with standard equipment including blind spot monitoring, 360° cameras, and automatic emergency braking, contributing to top safety ratings from organizations like IIHS and Euro NCAP. The cabin experience is enhanced by ambient lighting with dual-tone accents, elevating the interior atmosphere for drivers and passengers alike.
The EV9’s user interface adopts a minimalist approach, eliminating most physical knobs and buttons in favor of touch-sensitive controls embedded within the dashboard. Only essential HVAC controls and a volume knob remain, supported by a logically organized menu system that features quick responses and attractive graphics. Additionally, the EV9 offers advanced driver assistance functions such as Driver Attention Warning, which monitors driver alertness and issues warnings when necessary, alongside Forward Collision Warning with automatic emergency braking.
Performance-wise, the GT-Line variant of the EV9 includes boosted torque as a standard feature, providing enhanced power and responsiveness without requiring additional activation steps. This boost contributes to higher torque figures compared to the standard Land and lower trim levels, delivering a more dynamic driving experience. Overall, the 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition stands out not only for its striking dark aesthetics but also for its blend of innovation, safety, and performance tailored for modern electric mobility enthusiasts.
Design and Aesthetics
The 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition showcases a sophisticated and aggressive design language that blends bold styling with functional elements. Its exterior is distinguished by extensive use of gloss black accents, including the front grille, skid plates, roof rails, side mirrors, and lower door side sills, creating a sleek, cohesive look that replaces traditional chrome detailing for a sportier appearance. Complementing these dark accents are exclusive 20-inch gloss black wheels with a dark Kia emblem, paired with 275/50R all-season tires, further emphasizing the vehicle’s commanding stance and aerodynamic efficiency.
An exclusive Roadrider Brown paint option adds an earthy, adventurous edge to the Nightfall Edition’s palette, available specifically in the Land AWD trim, enhancing its visual distinctiveness. Additional design touches include blacked-out Kia and EV9 badges and smoked lighting elements, which contribute to the model’s mysterious and refined character. This styling treatment follows the tradition of Nightfall Editions previously offered on Kia models such as the Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride.
Inside, the EV9 Nightfall Edition delivers an upscale and exclusive cabin atmosphere dominated by a sleek black interior color scheme accented with genuine stitching and a custom seating pattern unique to this edition. The interior features a black headliner and thoughtfully crafted materials that enhance the sense of luxury. Standard second-row captain’s chairs create a six-passenger layout focused on comfort and space, while a no-cost 60/40 split-folding second-row bench is available as an option to expand seating capacity to seven, catering to family needs without compromising style. Ambient lighting with hidden light strips reflects subtly on textured surfaces, elevating the cabin ambiance and differentiating the Nightfall Edition from other luxury vehicles.
Powertrain and Performance
The 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition builds upon the solid foundation of the EV9 lineup by offering enhanced performance characteristics while retaining the robust hardware of the Land trim. It is equipped with a 99.8 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack paired with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that delivers a combined output of 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque under normal conditions. What sets the Nightfall Edition apart is its available “Boost” mode, which temporarily increases torque to 516 lb-ft, allowing for more responsive acceleration and enhanced driving dynamics.
The powertrain employs permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors both at the front and rear, each producing approximately 189 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, culminating in a combined torque of 516 lb-ft during boost mode. This setup enables the Nightfall Edition to achieve a 0-60 mph time of about 4.5 seconds, placing it among the quicker electric three-row SUVs in its segment. The electric motors use a direct-drive transmission, optimizing power delivery and efficiency.
In addition to the Nightfall Edition, the EV9 lineup includes other configurations. The rear-wheel-drive Light Long Range version features a single detuned motor that outputs 201 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 0-62 mph time of 9.4 seconds. Meanwhile, the high-performance 2026 EV9 GT model is expected to offer a significant power increase, producing 501 horsepower from its dual-motor setup, which is 122 horsepower more than the EV9 GT-Line’s 379-hp output.
Technology and Safety
The 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition is equipped with cutting-edge technology designed to enhance both driving convenience and safety. One of the standout features is Highway Driving Assist 2, which helps maintain a set distance and speed from vehicles ahead, assists with lane changes on highways, and centers the vehicle within its lane. This system also manages low-speed cut-ins from nearby vehicles, improving overall highway driving ease.
Safety is further reinforced through a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist helps prevent collisions with vehicles in adjacent lanes by issuing warnings and, if necessary, automatically applying the brakes. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, enhanced by Junction Crossing Detection and Direct Oncoming functionalities, helps detect potential collisions with oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and powered two-wheelers, applying brakes to mitigate or avoid impacts. Lane Change Oncoming further aids in safely changing lanes by monitoring oncoming traffic. Audible and visual warnings are issued when objects are detected near the vehicle during forward or reverse movement, and automatic braking can engage to avoid collisions in critical situations.
In addition to these safety features, the EV9 includes Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, which maintains a driver-set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead, capable of bringing the car to a complete stop and resuming movement as traffic conditions require. The vehicle’s safety systems have earned top ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Euro NCAP, underscoring its commitment to occupant protection.
Technological innovations extend to entertainment and connectivity with premium Meridian audio and over-the-air update capabilities, keeping the EV9’s systems current and drivers connected. This integration of technology and safety systems ensures a secure, comfortable, and enjoyable driving experience in the 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition.
Mechanical and Drivetrain Aspects
The 2026 Kia EV9 offers a range of electric powertrain configurations tailored to different performance preferences. At the heart of the lineup is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup featuring permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors at both the front and rear. Each motor delivers 189 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, combining for a total output of 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This configuration is paired with a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack rated at 99.8 kWh and a direct-drive transmission, allowing for efficient power delivery and a peak DC fast-charge rate of 215 kW.
For those seeking a more modest but still capable option, the rear-wheel-drive long-range model is equipped with a single “detuned” motor producing 201 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This variant accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 9.4 seconds, making it the slowest model in the EV9 range but offering an efficient and balanced driving experience.
Higher-performance variants, such as the all-new GT model, unleash over 500 horsepower and feature adaptive suspension technology. This setup not only delivers exhilarating acceleration but also makes the EV9 the fastest three-row electric SUV available, catering to drivers who prioritize sportier dynamics.
It is important to note that “Sport Mode” in the EV9 is a driving mode that electronically adjusts the vehicle’s computer programming for a more responsive and immediate reaction to accelerator inputs. However, all EV9 models operate with their full horsepower and torque regardless of mode selection, meaning the mode itself does not increase the vehicle’s power output.
Market Availability
The 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition is set to launch with sales targeted to begin in the second quarter of the year. This edition, built at Kia’s Georgia plant, qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit available for electric vehicles in the United States, enhancing its market appeal. Although exact pricing has not been announced, it is expected to start above $73,000 based on the pricing of the 2025 EV9 Land model.
The EV9 Nightfall Edition offers a combination of bold design and electric performance, featuring exclusive exterior color options such as Roadrider Brown that distinguish it in the electric SUV segment. It benefits from Kia’s 800-volt electrical architecture, enabling rapid battery recharging through DC fast chargers, a significant convenience factor for buyers.
While Kia has not disclosed if the torque increase in the Nightfall Edition affects its range, the model accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, highlighting its enhanced performance credentials. The vehicle’s availability through dealers includes optional equipment and packages, with final pricing and features varying accordingly.
Reception
The 2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition has garnered positive attention for its distinctive blend of style, comfort, and performance. Reviewers and industry insiders highlight the vehicle’s visually striking dark accents and exclusive Nightfall package, which build upon the already award-winning EV9 platform. The Nightfall Edition extends the popular styling theme previously seen on models like the Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride, allowing the EV9 to stand out with unique exterior and interior design elements that appeal to a diverse audience.
Inside, the upscale cabin has been praised for its thoughtful design, featuring genuine stitching, a sleek black headliner, and a custom seating pattern exclusive to this edition. Standard second-row captain’s chairs provide a comfortable six-passenger arrangement, with a no-cost option to add a 60/40 split-folding bench to accommodate seven passengers, enhancing the vehicle’s practicality for families.
Kia America’s COO and EVP, Steven Center, described the EV9 Nightfall Edition as a “landmark win” for the brand, emphasizing its ability to offer families a fully electrified driving experience that does not compromise on style or comfort. Beyond aesthetics, the Nightfall Edition impresses with its performance, particularly in straight-line acceleration, solidifying its appeal to both style-conscious and performance-minded buyers.
The content is provided by Avery Redwood, Front Signals
