MotorwayAmerica.com

By Jim Meachen
Editor, MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 24, 2024) The all-new Kia EV9 has already — in its infancy — received numerous accolades such as "World's Best Car for 2024," an award annually handed out by the judges for Women's Worldwide Car of the Year; and the "UK Car of the Year," which celebrates the "best new vehicles available to UK customers." More awards for the all-electric three-row SUV are likely to follow on this side of the pond.

Indeed, I found the newest Kia electric vehicle a masterful design exercise in family transportation, more-than worthy of sharing Kia's mid-sized crossover stable with the highly decorated and best-selling Telluride.

The EV9 is luxuriously quiet on the road with an impeccably designed interior adorned with high-quality features elevating every trip into an event from the ubiquitous grocery store run to a cross-country vacation. Outside of the ever-present EV charging/range issues, this is a no-compromise vehicle.


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The EV9 is the first three-row family friendly mainstream electric — costing thousands less than the three-row EVs from such luxury makers as Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, and BMW.

As is the case with many of the new breed of electrics, choosing the EV9 that best fits your needs, is a bit mind boggling. How do I get the best range combined with the maximum horsepower and features I want and that I can afford? It takes a bit of study.

The EV9 is offered in four trim levels starting with the base Light Short Range (230 miles) and Light Long Range trims. Wind and Land versions have standard all-wheel drive and a dual electric motor setup that increases horsepower to 379 from the 215 (Light Short Range) and 201 (Light Long Range trims). Driving ranges are varied stretching from a rather short (by 2024 standards) 230 miles to a more acceptable 304 miles.

This review is based on the top-of-the-line EV9 GT-Line trim that matches the 379 hp in Wind and Land trims and puts out 518 pound-feet of torque that Kia claims gives it a zero-to-60 mph clocking of under five seconds. Published range for the GT-Line is 270 miles.

The GT-Line has a starting point of $75,395 including destination charge, a significant jump from the other trims, and approaches three-row electric exotic SUVs from Tesla and Rivian. Prices start at $56,395 for the Light Short Range. Perhaps the Wind trim might be the sweet spot beginning at $65,395. Kia says from now through April 30 it is giving a $5,000 cash discount because the EV9 currently does not qualify for the EV Tax Credit.



We especially like the interior layout, particularly the two-screen design as found in most 2024 Kia products — including mine, which I purchased this past summer. In the EV9, each screen is 12.3 inches — one for the gauge cluster and the other for infotainment — with key HVAC readouts between them. My biggest complaint, especially when compared to my Kia, is the lack of physical knobs and buttons. Touch-sensitive controls are embedded to the right of the steering wheel to jump to difference menus.

I have yet to drive an EV that had good old-fashioned physical knobs and buttons — perhaps the lack thereof is supposed to be an advance in design worthy of the new EV formula. For me, it's a big inconvenient step backward.

Th EV9 is loaded with standard driver assist features including blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode (in my top GT-Line test vehicle).

The cabin is roomy with considerable bins and cup holders. Cargo space behind the third row is a useable 20.2 cubic feet, which expands to 43.5 cubic feet if the third row is not in use by passengers. With all seatbacks folded overall cargo space expands to 81.7 cubic feet. With space for six or seven passengers and their cargo, it makes the Kia suitable for a family vacation including towing a small boat or a pair of jet skies with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Making the drive a comfortable experience is the quit cabin together with very accommodating front seats. The seats are highly adjustable and with heating and ventilation functions. The available massage function works well, too, but I needed more time to play with it to get the right amount of back relief. Our loaded GT-Line had the available upgraded second-row adjustable captain's chairs.

It seems Kia has hit the mid-sized electric vehicle nail squarely on the head and it is deserving of the accolades that have started pouring in. And don't forget Kia's industry-leading warranties of 5-year/60,000 miles comprehensive and 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain.

2024 Kia EV9

Essentials
Base price: $56,395; as driven, $75,395
Engine: electric
Horsepower: 379 @ 4,000 rpm
Torque: 516 pound-feet @ 0 rpm
Transmission: direct-drive
Drive: all-wheel
Seating: 2/2/3
Wheelbase: 122 inches
Length: 197.4 inches
Curb weight: 5,839 pounds
Turning circle: 40.6 feet
Towing capacity: 5,000 pounds
EPA electric range: 270 miles
EPA rating: city, highway combined, 80 MPGe
0-60: 4.5 seconds (Car and Driver)

The Good
• Spacious interior
• Smooth, quiet ride
• Outstanding performance
• Attractive starting price

The Bad
• Some controls distracting to use

The Ugly
• Base model may be lacking performance