2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall First Look: Back in Black

A gloss-black appearance package with an extra twist of torque and a bonus metal theme

written by Josh Jacquot^{Correspondent
Josh Jacquot is a seasoned automotive journalist with a career spanning more than two decades. His passion for cars has been the driving force behind his career, fueling his love for storytelling and technical work. Josh has held staff positions at Edmunds and Car and Driver, where he performed instrumented testing and wrote everything from technical breakdowns to long-form adventure stories. This hands-on enthusiast's early fascination with cars evolved into a professional journey that blends his technical knowledge and deep appreciation for engaging driver's cars.}
edited by Steven Ewing^{Director, Editorial Content
Steven Ewing has worked in the automotive industry since 2003. In that time, he's written thousands of articles and tested just as many vehicles. Steven is Edmunds' director of editorial content and has previously been on staff at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog, Motor1.com, CNET, and was the U.S. correspondent for Top Gear magazine. Steven has also contributed to Automobile magazine, Car and Driver, The Drive, Jalopnik, Porsche Panorama, and dozens of other publications. In his spare time, Steven loves to play the drums, cook, and drive his 2000 BMW M Roadster.}
4/16/2025
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A new package adds gloss-black trim and gloss-black 20-inch wheels to the Kia EV9.
Torque increases substantially and the SUV's 0-60 mph time drops.
The 2026 EV9 qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit.

Kia announced the Nightfall Edition of its 2026 EV9 three-row electric SUV today. The package adds gloss-black exterior bits, including the rearview mirrors, roof rails, side sills and parts of the grille, as well as 20-inch gloss-black wheels. Shown in these photos on an ironically white EV9, it looks like it’s ready to throw punches in the Whole Foods parking lot. Inside? You guessed it: Black. Black stitched upholstery and a — wait for it — a black headliner add a menacing touch.

But there is substance here: The addition of a standard boost function that increases torque from 443 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft ensures you won’t be hanging about. Coupled with 379 horsepower from its dual motors, the EV9 Nightfall Edition can smash its way to 60 mph in an advertised 4.5 seconds — a feature only the most metal soccer moms will brag about in the middle school drop-off line.

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The Nightfall Edition package is offered on the Land all-wheel-drive EV9, which in 2025 comes standard with a 99.8-kWh battery good for an EPA-estimated range of 280 miles. A real power pack, indeed.

We love few things more than an overpowered people mover here at Edmunds. And this darkened EV9 adds sinister subtlety to that theme. It's back on the track, it's beatin' the flack. It's back in black. Yes, it’s back. In black.

by Josh Jacquot

Josh Jacquot is a seasoned automotive journalist with a career spanning more than two decades. His passion for cars has been the driving force behind his career, fueling his love for storytelling and technical work. Josh has held staff positions at Edmunds and Car and Driver, where he performed instrumented testing and wrote everything from technical breakdowns to long-form adventure stories. This hands-on enthusiast's early fascination with cars evolved into a professional journey that blends his technical knowledge and deep appreciation for engaging driver's cars.

edited by Steven Ewing

Steven Ewing has worked in the automotive industry since 2003. In that time, he's written thousands of articles and tested just as many vehicles. Steven is Edmunds' director of editorial content and has previously been on staff at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog, Motor1.com, CNET, and was the U.S. correspondent for Top Gear magazine. Steven has also contributed to Automobile magazine, Car and Driver, The Drive, Jalopnik, Porsche Panorama, and dozens of other publications. In his spare time, Steven loves to play the drums, cook, and drive his 2000 BMW M Roadster.

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2026 Kia EV9 Nightfall First Look: Back in Black

A gloss-black appearance package with an extra twist of torque and a bonus metal theme

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