Kia launches trio of 300hp EV GTs

650hp EV6 GT a bit much? Virtual Gear Shift, neon accents and sportier chassis now make it to EV3, 4 and 5

By Matt Bird / Thursday, 8 January 2026 / Loading comments

Believe it or not, there have now been GT-badged Kias for almost 15 years now. The original Cee’d and ProCee’d GT hatchback didn’t exactly set the world alight, but as smart and stylish warm hatches they weren’t half bad. The performance sub-brand has grown slowly but surely since then, perhaps most famously with the lovable Stinger GT-S, then the EV6 GT and EV9 GT - the former now with 650hp, don’t forget.

Today, nearly as many new Kia GTs have been announced as have ever existed: an EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT means there’s a performance flagship throughout the electric lineup, all the way to the £80k ‘9. Kia says all three ‘combine advanced hardware with intelligent, software-driven features to deliver driving excitement.’

As with the other electric GTs, the new trio are all-wheel drive, the pair of motors supplied by an 81.4kWh battery in 3, 4 and 5. Power is rated at 215kW (292hp) for the 3 and 4, then 225kW (306hp) in the larger 5. All scoot to 62mph in around six seconds. Not power-crazed crossovers like the 6 and 9, then, if comparable with cars like the 340hp Enyaq vRS.

There’s more than just power, some neon bits and snazzy 20-inch wheels to the new Kias, too. As has become familiar from other GTs, there’s a dedicated driving mode for ‘a more focused and immersive driving character’ thanks to changes to the steering, suspension and throttle response. The Virtual Gear Shift technology that’s made such a difference to the driving experience of electric cars on this E-GMP platform is also standard. Active sound design aims to complement the virtual changes with a ‘progressive digital soundscape that amplifies excitement.’ Let’s hope it’s more towards the Ioniq 5 N side of the scale rather than the ever-so-slightly disappointing EV6 GT application.

The interior of the EV3, EV4 and EV5 get familiar Kia GT bits, including sportier seats and wheel, the neon contrast stitching and model-specific ambient lighting. As with every VW GTI getting tartan, there are now a few hallmarks to recognise on a Kia GT. What worked for the EV6 seems to suit everywhere else, too.

Production of the new models is due to begin in the second quarter of this year, so expect information on prices and availability a little after that. There’s plenty GT-badged in the classifieds to distract in the meantime: the Cee’d still looks quite smart (as well as cheap) in three- and five-door form, some legend actually bought a yellow Stinger with the V6, and the original 585hp EV6 GT is now from less than £30k.