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Kia’s three-row EV9 SUV (starting at $54,900) is its largest electric vehicle yet, but keeps the price affordable like its EV6 and Niro crossovers. The EV9 stands out for its spacious interior, high-tech driver assists, and fast charging, though we wish it could take you farther per charge. The Rivian R1S remains our Editors’ Choice winner because of its longer driving range and more powerful performance, though it comes at a much higher starting price ($74,900). If you need three rows of seating and want to keep the cost down to earth, the Kia EV9 is a worthwhile, value-minded alternative.Five Trims, Most With All-Wheel DriveThe EV9 is available in five trims with either a single 160kW motor on the rear axle for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or the same motor on each axle for all-wheel drive (AWD). The starting price and drivetrain for each trim are in the chart below. It isn’t yet eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, unlike the $77,990 Tesla Model X (full) or the Rivian R1S (half), but Kia is working toward that goal.
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The Light and Light Long Range trims have the same standard features (but different batteries, as I discuss later). Exterior highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED projector-beam headlights, heated and power-folding side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, LED daytime running lights and taillights, and a power liftgate. On the interior, they offer 8-way power front seats with heating and ventilation, one-touch sliding and folding second-row seats, SynTex seat trim, and tri-zone auto climate control.
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The Wind trim adds dual sunroofs, embossed seating surfaces, and a heated steering wheel. The Land trim includes a 10-way power driver’s seat with two-way power leg extensions (for kicking back while you charge the vehicle), a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, 20-inch wheels, heated and ventilated second-row seats, a camera-based rearview mirror, LED cube-projection headlights with a Digital Pattern Lighting Grille that illuminates a section of the front bumper, and quilted and striped seat surfaces.
Finally, the flagship GT-Line I tested offers an eight-way power front-passenger seat with power leg extension, a 12-inch head-up display, 21-inch wheels, front, rear, and side parking collision sensors, remote parking, and special interior trim. My test model also includes Ocean Blue paint ($695) and the Relaxation Captain’s Chairs Package that adds power controls to the second-row seats ($2,000). With a destination charge of $1,495, the total sticker price comes to $78,090.A Boxy and Busy ExteriorThe EV9 GT-Line’s trimmings give it more of a baroque look compared with the understated Rivian R1S, though both have a boxy overall shape. Gloss-black wheel-well trim extends along the bottom of the doors and continues on the side mirrors, roof pillars, and parts of the front and rear bumpers. Adding to the exterior business are kaleidoscopic Star Map taillights and gunmetal gray trim along the front, back, and side bottom edges of the vehicle. Flush handles make the doors appear sleek, while the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille and LED cube-projection headlights distinguish the front. I prefer the style of the Rivian, though you might feel differently.
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The interior looks sharp and is extremely spacious. Dual 12.3-inch screens anchor the slightly curved dashboard, while six haptic buttons seamlessly integrate into the surface below. The SynTex seat trims are eco-friendly and other fabrics and carpets also feature recycled materials. Mesh front seat headrests and a “floating” center console add to the interior’s stylish appearance. Both the Light and Wind trims are available in a seven-seat configuration with second- and third-row bench seats. Other trims have second-row captain’s chairs and accommodate six passengers. Either way, accessing the third row is effortless thanks to the one-touch sliding and folding control for the second-row seats.
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The chart below shows how the EV9 compares with the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S in terms of interior dimensions. It offers competitive headroom and legroom but falls short of the Rivian in terms of overall cargo space.
Solid Everyday PerformanceAll EV9 trims have Eco, Normal, Snow, and Sport driving modes that adjust energy consumption, steering stability control, and torque. A My Drive mode allows you to customize each of these performance characteristics. In my experience, the Eco and Normal modes dial back acceleration noticeably. The chart below outlines what you can expect from each model regarding power.
I mostly drove the EV9 GT-Line in Sport mode on freeways and curvy rural and coastal Northern California roads during a daylong media event. With a 5.0-second 0-60mph time, the GT-Line trim is the fastest of the bunch but nowhere near as quick as the top-end Rivian R1S (3.0 seconds). Still, the EV9 has ample power for everyday driving situations such as merging onto a freeway or passing cars on a two-lane highway. The ride is smooth and confident even through curves, while the cabin effectively insulates from wind and road noise.
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The EV9 offers many more regenerative braking levels than typical and the adjustments are complicated. You tweak levels using steering wheel paddles; the left increases the regenerative feel and the right decreases it. Levels 0 through 3 progressively add more regeneration, while clicking past that puts the vehicle in the i-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving. Holding the left paddle triggers the Paddle Stop Mode, which immediately maximizes the regeneration level and slows the vehicle. Pulling the right paddle for one second activates the Smart Regenerative Braking System, which uses radar sensors to optimize front- and rear-wheel regenerative braking based on navigation data and upcoming traffic. It’s a lot to remember.Battery Range Is Just AverageThe entry-level Light RWD uses a 76.1kWh battery, while all other trims get a 99.8kWh cell. The RWD Light Long Range model leads the lineup in terms of range (304 miles) and combined MPGe (89). The chart below shows what type of results you should expect from the other trims. For comparison, the base AWD Rivian R1S gets 270 miles per charge, though any of the available battery upgrades bring that figure past that of the Kia. The standard Tesla Model X can take you up to 335 miles per charge for an MPGe of around 102. I can’t fault the EV9 too much here, of course, considering that it starts at a much lower price than these competitors.
A Combined Charging System (CCS) port behind a door just aft of the rear passenger-side wheel supplies power to an 800V electrical architecture, which supports quick charging at compatible DC/Level 3 fast chargers. Even though the EV9 can charge at Tesla Superchargers via an adapter, know that most operate at a lower Kw rate with non-Tesla EVs. Kia plans to manufacture vehicles with the Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NAC) port starting in 2025.
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
Charging the GT-Line’s battery from 10% to 80% takes approximately 24 minutes with a Level 3 DC fast charger operating at 350kW. With a Level 3 charger operating at up to 50kW, the battery charges from 10% to 80% in approximately 83 minutes. A Level 2 charger working at up to 11kW refills it from 10% to 100% in approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes. Finally, the included Level 1, AC 120V charger cable can take the battery from 10% to 100% in 84 hours and 25 minutes (approximately 3.5 days). Since it has a smaller battery, the Light trim charges faster across the board.Familiar Entertainment Screens With Revamped SoftwareThe SUV’s dual 12.3-inch screens are the same ones from the Kia EV6, but the updated software is far more responsive. The UI is also similar to what I’ve seen in the past, though the addition of Quick Controls makes interactions more seamless. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay handle cloud-based content, while the Kia Connect app (for Android and iOS) enables remote door locking and unlocking, climate control operation, rear occupant alerts, and more. Otherwise, the smartphone-based Digital Key 2 allows you to start the vehicle via a compatible Apple or Samsung device and share a virtual key with others via text. This is Kia’s first vehicle to support over-the-air updates, which help keep the software current and allow you to add features via the Kia Connect Store. Options from the latter include a Boost upgrade that increases acceleration for certain trims, different illumination patterns for the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, and an Amazon Music streaming and Wi-Fi hotspot package.Otherwise, a 5-inch climate control panel sits between the dual infotainment screens. Lots of Standard Safety FeaturesAmong the highlights of the EV9’s comprehensive suite of safety features are Driver Attention Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control (which uses machine learning to adapt to your driving style), and various lane keep and departure assists. All trims also get Forward Collision-Avoidance with:Lane Change Oncoming, which detects vehicles approaching in the opposing lane.Junction Crossing Detection, which looks for oncoming vehicles when you make a left turn across traffic.Evasive Steering Assist Detection, which automatically steers the vehicle away if the risk of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist is imminent.Lane Change Side, which helps avoid a collision by assisting with steering when it detects a vehicle ahead in an adjacent lane is swerving.
(Credit: Doug Newcomb)
The Land and GT-Line trims get the Blind-Spot View Monitor, which shows what’s alongside the vehicle on the main screens when you switch on a turn signal.A Flashy, Lower-Cost Take on the Three-Row SUVThe all-electric Kia EV9 SUV offers fast charging speeds, a comfortable cabin, and an excellent range of safety features for a reasonable price. If you are in the market for an EV with tons of interior space and don’t want to spend too much, it’s easy to recommend. That said, the EV9 doesn’t do quite enough to unseat the more sophisticated Rivian R1S as our Editors’ Choice winner, as it provides more overall cargo space and better battery range, albeit for significantly more money.
Pros
Rapid charging
Innovative driver assists
Spacious and attractive interior
Steady on-road performance
Costs less than competitors
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The Bottom Line
The Kia EV9’s reasonable price, quick charging, cavernous interior, and unique safety features make it a compelling entry in the growing segment of electric three-row SUVs.
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