At the 2024 LA Auto Show, Kia unveiled an exciting trio of updated vehicles. Russell Wager, vice-president of marketing for Kia America, took the stage to introduce these enhancements. In the background, a refreshed, more powerful EV6 and a new EV9 GT awaited.

Unleash the Power of Kia's Updated Fleet

The Popular Sportage Gets a Makeover

The popular Sportage compact SUV, Kia's best-selling vehicle, is set to look more rugged when it goes on sale late next spring. The 2026 model features a slightly larger, more upright grille. Its vertically stacked LED headlights and repositioned, amber-coloured daytime running lights give it a distinct look, similar to the mid-sized Sorento. Inside, the updated Sportage offers greater connectivity through a pair of 12.3-inch LCD display screens and over-the-air updates. An optional head-up windshield display is available on hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. With an optional digital key, drivers can securely access and start the Sportage using their smartphone and share this convenience with others. Driver's assistance has been enhanced with advanced forward-collision detection and automated braking, along with the ability to swerve to avoid collisions.The fifth-generation Sportage was revealed three years ago, making it time for an update. The gas-only Sportage now has a Terrain mode for its X-line and X-Pro editions, ideal for driving through snow, mud, and sand. Its 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine remains unchanged and can tow up to 3,500 pounds through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid and plug-in hybrid editions have an updated 47.7-kilowatt electric motor. The hybrid's power is boosted by four horsepower to a total of 231, while the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) gains seven horsepower, reaching a total of 268. They can tow 2,000 pounds through a six-speed automatic transmission. Although prices have not been released yet, they are likely to be similar to the current models, starting at $33,030 for the gas-powered edition (including all charges and fees except taxes), $40,930 for the hybrid, and $49,766 for the PHEV.

The Refreshed EV6: More Range and Power

Kia also showcased its refreshed, all-electric EV6 crossover. It now has an 84-kilowatt-hour battery in its long-range edition, up from 77 kilowatt-hours, providing more range. The rear-wheel-drive "Wind" edition's claimed range has increased from 499 to 513 kilometres. The charge port has been moved to the passenger side and now uses the North America Charging Standard format, granting access to the Tesla Supercharger network. There is no difference in power for the basic Wind and Land trims, but the GT editions receive a boost from 576 to 601 horsepower. When the GT Drive mode is activated by pushing a button on the steering wheel, the GT gets an even more powerful boost to 641 horsepower for 10 seconds. It also has a new "virtual gear shift" feature that uses sound and haptic feedback to simulate shifting gears, although the electric motor has only one gear.

The Powerful EV9 GT: A Game Changer

The new EV9 GT is a more powerful version of Kia's full-sized, family-hauling, all-electric SUV. It claims 501 horsepower, a significant jump from the 379 horsepower of the existing EV9 GT-line edition. This is achieved by having a 160-kilowatt motor on the front axle and a 270-kilowatt motor on the rear axle. It also features an electronically adjustable suspension and an electronic limited-slip differential. The current EV9 GT-line accelerates from zero to 100 kilometres an hour in just over 5 seconds, but Kia says the new GT will do the same sprint in closer to 4.3 seconds. Whether your five other passengers will appreciate this speed is a matter for discussion. The new EV9 GT will be equipped with the Tesla-friendly NACS charge port and is expected to keep the same 99.8-kilowatt-hour battery as the other EV9s, so its driving range will likely be slightly less than the 435 kilometres of the $82,000 GT-line edition. All these details will be revealed, including its price, when it goes on sale next summer.Shopping for a new car? Check out the Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates, and rates on new cars, trucks, and SUVs. Click here to get your price.