Kia’s standout EV9 electric crossover debuted last year, so, it’s far too soon for a comprehensive mid-cycle refresh. But Kia does have a significant addition on tap for the 2026 model year. The EV9 follows the Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride crossovers by adding a new Nightfall Edition. Debuting at the New York Auto Show, it arrives at dealers very soon (Q2 2025). And it’s an appearance package with a bit of a punch thrown in.
Key Takeaways
- Kia is adding a new EV9 Nightfall Edition for 2026
- The package adds blacked-out badging, wheels and detailing
- Buyers can opt for a trim-exclusive Roadrider Brown paint
- It also provides a Boost Mode with up to 516 pound-feet of torque
- It debuts in Q2 2025
What Is The Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition?
The EV9 Nightfall Edition is based on the middle-tier Land AWD trim. It comes with the six-seat captain’s chair layout standard but can be optioned to a seven-seat bench layout at no cost. As the name suggests, the Nightfall Edition includes a lot of black detailing. It gets black Kia and EV9 badging. It also has trim-exclusive 20-inch gloss black wheels, front grille accents, skid plates, roof rails, mirrors, and lower door-side sill accents.
The EV9 Nightfall Edition offers a trim-exclusive, earthtone Roadrider Brown paint color on the exterior. The cabin has a unique dark interior with black upholstery, black stitching and a black headliner.
The Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition Also Has a Boost Mode
The Kia EV9 Nightfall Edition is not just an appearance package. It also comes with a boost mode. The temporary boost bumps the torque from 443 pound-feet to 516 pound-feet, the same output as the Kia EV9 GT-Line. Kia says this will allow the EV9 Nightfall Edition to accelerate from 0-60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds.
TopSpeed’s Take
The Kia EV9 is an outstanding all-around family electric vehicle. I write that not just as a journalist but as an EV9 owner. The Nightfall Edition should add what the EV9 lineup lacks: a distinctive, sexy, and premium-feeling trim option below the EV9 GT-Line. However, the blacked-out appearance may not be to every buyer’s particular taste.
If the Boost Mode resembles the version in the Genesis GV60, it may feel a bit gimmicky. Few, if any, owners will be ripping off 0-60 MPH runs on the return leg of a school drop-off in their family crossover. And it’s hard to conceive of a situation where an owner must exceed the already prodigious 443 pound-feet on tap from the dual-motor setup.
We don’t have pricing yet. But the Nightfall Edition could end up being a strong value play within the lineup, delivering a swanky appearance and most of the performance of the Kia EV9 GT-Line and upcoming GT models (and all that one could use on everyday roads) without the price tag.
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