The world of electric sport utility has n’t been bang for its sort . If you ’re in the food market for a full - size sport utility and desire something galvanic , you ’re more or less special to a car like theRivian R1S — a car that ’s far from affordable . But if there were any ship’s company that could depart to at last bring affordable options to the market , it would be Kia . The Kia EV9has had a long and much - hyped launching , and at long last , the galvanizing SUV is usable for purchase .
The EV9 has a long ton of ostentation to it , and it ’s easy to see why : It tender a modern figure , it ’s construct on the same weapons platform asthe much - eff EV6 , and it can fit seven citizenry in some configurations . Sure , it ’s perhaps not theultra - low-cost alternative that some were hoping for — but it does still fight the electrical SUV into a much lower terms tier . At the starting cost of $ 54,900 , there ’s really no competition just yet .
But the lack of competitor is n’t reason alone to buy something . We ’ve been test the Kia EV9 GT - Line to find out if the new electric SUV truly lives up to the hype . plunderer alert — the EV9 is easily quick for the competition that will necessarily number out .
Design and interior
Overall , the Kia EV9 looks kind of like a cross betweenthe much - loved Tellurideand the Kia EV6 . To be certain , the EV9 is vainglorious and blocky , but I kind of like the style . It has a sculpted body , with angular line of reasoning across the side and rearward , and while quite large , the EV9 does have a jazzy feel to it .
On the front , the EV9 sports Kia ’s new “ Digital Tiger Nose , ” which is essentially an evolution of the Tiger Grille that beautify late - genesis Kia automobile . You ’ll get angular headlights with a variety of pixel design that look very modernistic . This pixel intention is only available on high-pitched - end theoretical account , however you will get the angular headlights no matter which framework you go for . Frankly , you ’re in all likelihood not neglect much without the pixel brightness level , but it ’s a nice added incentive if you get a higher - terminal mannikin .
The rear is quite showy - sounding , too . Angular taillights stretch along down the back of the EV9 in a way that ’s very reminiscent of innovative Volvos . A small spoiler watch on from the roofline of the car , which helps add to the sportiness .
The Department of the Interior of the EV9 see very exchange premium , at least in our mountain range - topping GT - Line model . The EV9 in general can be purchased in either six- or seven - seater contour : the former with captain ’s chair in the middle , the latter with a judiciary seat . Only the Light and malarkey model can be fit out for seven passengers . Our critical review poser came with the two senior pilot chairs , which are mechanize and perhaps even more comfortable than the front seats . The EV9also has USB - carbon portsfor charging throughout the cabin of the railroad car , including for both second- and third - row passengers , and there ’s a large store bin for the second - row passengers , which is a nice touch sensation . in conclusion , passengers get their own mood zona , which is always handy .
While I pass most of my fourth dimension in the driver ’s seat , I did sit in the passenger seats for a while to get an musical theme of how spacious they were . Good word : There ’s a long ton of room in any can you sit in , within rationality . Sure , the third words does get cramped with the 2nd rowallthe way of life back , and like any three - row SUV , the third row will be more comfortable for child than anyone else . However I was impressed with the tier of comfort on crack , even in the third row .
depot blank space is plenteous too , look on whether you keep the third rowing of seats up or not . With the third row of seats up , there ’s 20.2 atomic number 29 - ft of space , however with the third row down , you ’ll get 43.5 atomic number 29 - ft of storage space . There ’s also a frunk , which baffle smaller if you opt for all - wheel - drive . The GT - Line is an AWD framework , and there was still enough quad to store a few grocery bag .
Overall , the interior of the EV9 is broad and comfy , which genuinely helpful features throughout .
Tech, infotainment, and driver assist
Kia has made a serious effort to assume modern engineering in its cars — with a few caveat . I quite like the infotainment experience in the Kia EV9 — however part of that is due to the fact that thecar supports CarPlay . Thankfully , the EV9 endure CarPlay through a wireless connection , unlike the EV6 . That allowed me to simply plop my headphone down on the blame pad , and get started — without having to mess up around with transmission line .
One aspect of docudrama that I really did take account was the fact that the EV9 has a consecrated climate displayandphysical mood control . This mean that both the machine driver and passenger can easily control climate scope like fan speed and temperature , or then plunk into the consecrated show for more modern ascendency . Unfortunately , that dedicated exhibit is a picayune hidden to the machine driver by the steering cycle — and difficult to get at for the passenger . But , it could be worse — by concealing climate controls late into configurations , for exercise .
There are some great driver - aid features built into the car too , even standard . No matter what model you buy , you ’ll get basics like blind - spot monitoring and emergency braking . If you get the GT - Line , you ’ll get an sophisticated cruise control with lane - centering , and unlike other motorcar , you wo n’t be push to keep your hand on the wheel . It worked quite well , and while it ’s really only useful on the main road , it is one step further towards better self - driving technical school .
I do wish well that some of the best driver - assist feature article were n’t reserved for more expensive models . For object lesson , you ’ll only get the camera - establish blind - spot monitor and the Surround View Monitor in the Land AWD or GT - Line trims . It ’s worthdouble - checking that the featuresyou require are available on the simulation you be after on purchasing .
Driving experience
Driving the Kia EV9 is a flack . It may be huge , but it still benefits from the immediate response that has become characteristic of an electric vehicle . It ’s much heavier than the EV6 , and as such notquiteas fast , but you ’d be hard - press to find a faster sport utility vehicle that does n’t be a whole lot more .
The EV9 comes in single- or dual - motor configurations , power the seat - wheel or all - wheel - drive powertrains , respectively . In the base EV9 Light RWD , you ’ll get a 215 - H.P. motor , however you could get up to 379 horsepower with the threefold - motor form . finally , there will be a GT example that will step things up to 576 H.P. , too .
The overall drive of the EV9 was smooth , yet antiphonal . The railcar takes bumps and potholes in stride , with the drive arguably being a little more luxurious than sporty , despite the truehearted acceleration . That fits the car though — an SUV is a family machine , and it ’s built for comfortableness . You do n’t desire to experience the road the same way you might a smaller , sportier car .
I always prefer beat back a car with one treadle , if and when possible . The EV9 comes with Kia ’s iPedal organisation , which can slow the car to a stop when you take your substructure off the pedal . unluckily , you ca n’t put iPedal to be the default setting — so you ’ll have to switch to it every meter you plow the auto on . aside from iPedal , there are three levels of regenerative braking , and the car will remember your setting between drives .
Range and charging
The Kia EV9 offer anywhere from not - so - great to a pretty good mountain chain , depending on the model you buy . Range diverge from 230 naut mi on the Light RWD model , up to 304 miles on Light Long Range RWD mannequin , or 280 miles on the Wind and Land AWD fashion model . None of these figure are particularly telling , though 280 miles is a whole plenty dependable than 230 , obviously . Our GT - Line framework invest a little more power into the wheels , lour range of a function to 270 miles .
Thankfully , however , when you pull up to the right commission , you ’ll juice up pretty cursorily . The Kia EV9 supports 350kW charging , making it one of the fastest - charging cars out there . If you’re able to carry off to encounter a charging place that plunk for 350kW , you ’ll get from 0 % to 80 % in a little over 20 minutes , which is very impressive . Unfortunately , company like Electrify Americaare still build out these topnotch - quick charging place , and the EV9doesn’t yet come with an NACS port wine .
How DT would configure this car
The Kia EV9 is a smashing buy no matter which model you go for , at least with the current dearth of contention in this distance . If you ’re reckon to spend as short as possible for an electric three - row SUV , you will love the base Kia EV9 Light . However , if you may extend your budget a little , we recommend doing so for perks like long reach .
The Wind AWD model is belike the agency to go for most buyers . It steps up the performance with a second motor and has a larger stamp battery that delivers 280 miles of grasp . It also arrive with a more luxurious interior thanks to the second - row senior pilot ’s hot seat , plus it adds features like heated front seats and more driver - assist feature . Most purchaser do not need to promote to the GT - Line mannikin that we brush up — however , those that require the most tech - heavy experience may consider it for things like the hands - free driver - assist and Surround View Monitor .
