The two strongest vehicles in the Kia stable for 2023 were the Telluride and the EV6. Where the Telluride blends size and style as one of the best gas-powered large three-row crossovers on the market, the all-electric EV6 is a technical showcase of electric car range and charging speed. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Kia seeks to impress the world with its new flagship vehicle, the EV9 – an all-electric, full-size, three-row crossover. It’s a smidge longer than the Telluride but with a more spacious third row, and it uses the same Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) as the EV6 to boast a range of up to 304 miles, despite its massive weight.
It’s a bold statement of a vehicle, and not just with its over-the-top body styling – although it puts Tesla on blast with its competent retro-futurist design – it’s a display of Kia’s prowess.
Style And Substance
The Kia EV9 measures 197.2 inches long, which is just 0.3 inches longer than the Telluride. However, it has a 7.8-inch longer 122-inch space between the front and rear wheels, which should translate into a smoother ride due to more separation between the two axles. The bodywork has a lot going on, from the aggressive slab of a front end to its plethora of creases and complicated wheel arches. It does look like a retro-futuristic-chic concept brought to life, helped by trim-specific lighting accents on the front and the Bladerunner-esque 21-inch wheels on our GT-Line test vehicle.
There are four trims available, starting with the Light, then the Wind, the Land, and topping out with the GT-Line – at least for now, although a ridiculously fast full-fat GT model might be too absurd for the 5,000+ pound EV9.
Sensible Interior Space
Inside the EV9, things are much more sensible and, in the case of the GT-Line, pushing into being a premium space with its stylish two-tone seats and stretched-out infotainment screen. The layout is equally sensible with no forays into the “uber-EV” mindset that has become so common of being different just for the sake of it.
Without the need for a transmission tunnel and the benefit of a completely flat floor, there’s a ton of space inside and that translates into one of the most useable third rows of seating we’ve sat in for some time. While not as comfortable as the second row, which consists of captain’s chairs on the GT-Line, a couple of six-footers will be quite comfortable in the rear seats. And we do mean couple – the third row is set up for just two people.
Technology Overload
The infotainment system in our GT-Line is the standard Kia fare – meaning it’s easy to use and fully featured but with an EV-charging-based navigation system. One of our favorite Kia features has an upgrade for the EV9 with its Digital Key 2, which allows the car to be controlled with a smartphone app. Kia is also embracing purchasing and subscribing to “digital features,” like paying extra for an acceleration boost, the ability to change lighting patterns, and upgrading to Parking Assist 2.
Another technology Kia wants to promote is its vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid system via its partner, Wallbox. The idea is that by using an installed WallBox Quasar 2 charger, the car can use its battery to keep a house running during blackouts and when electricity rates are at their highest to save money.
Hi-Tech Powertrain
Kia gleefully explained that the EV9 is the first three-row crossover based on 800-volt charging architecture, which means it can be charged incredibly quickly if you have a powerful enough charger available. Our GT-Line tester is the most powerful in the range – at least until a full-fat GT arrives – with its two motors and 99.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-Ion battery creating 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque with the Boost feature enabled as standard.
If you want more range at the sacrifice of power, the long-range option is the single-motor rear-wheel-drive Light trim with the 99.8 kWh battery option. It makes 201 hp and 258 pound-feet with a range of 304 miles. The entry-level Light comes with a 76.1kWh battery, 215 hp, and a range of 230 miles.
Swift And Surprisingly Agile
Considering the GT-Line, with all its luxury features, weighs just over 5,800 pounds, it’s surprisingly quick. However, the smoothness and lack of noise reduce the severity of the sensation of hitting 60 mph in around five seconds.
This is a good thing, ultimately, as the EV9 isn’t a sports car and quiet power like that is a prime ingredient for a good premium-level vehicle. Winding through valley and mountain roads or maneuvering with fast-moving traffic, the EV9 is sure of itself and does everything it can to make you forget it is a hefty piece of machinery – until you start feeling the ride.
The interior is quiet due to the effort put into sound dampening, but there is an area that needs improvement and that’s the ride quality from the suspension. Likely to compensate for the weight, the suspension feels like the dampers and springs are too hard. In a straight line on a flat road, the EV9 is smooth, but when there are bumps on one side and then the other, heads start to bobble. Occasionally, when the road gets rough, there is a chattery feeling from the suspension, likely not helped by the GT-Line’s 21-inch wheels and thin tires. Conversely, and on a positive note, there is little lean in the chassis when cornering.
That’s about the only criticism we have of the EV9 GT-Line on the road, as the rest of the vehicle adds up to a smooth, comfortable ride that doesn’t fit with the truck-like view of the high, wide, flat hood.
Sticker Shock
We already know there will be comments below about this, but for the EV9 GT-Line, people will be paying $73,900 before options and destination for a vehicle with a Kia badge. As tested, ours was nearer $80,000 than $75,000 with options like the Ocean Blue paintwork. The entry-level model is much more reasonable at $54,900, and for those that do the math on the miles they actually do in a week, it may turn out to be a bit of a bargain for a large family EV.
We’re not sold on the big deal Kia made of its partnership with Wallbox, particularly when solar power is going mainstream and the battery is overkill for a home backup. We would be wary of charging and discharging an EV’s battery to save money on an electricity bill when the life of a battery is measured in recharge cycles. However, the rest of the tech is up there with the best.
Thoughts…
While brands like Mercedes are panicking and throwing things like giant screens and tech-influencer interior lighting at the dashboard in a bid to convince people to buy its EVs, and Tesla is just losing the plot with its insistence on self-driving technology and lack of any other development due to an insane ego-project of a truck, the EV9 shows genuine direction and attention to what people want from a family vehicle in 2024. The styling is a love-or-hate affair, and the ride needs tweaking, but if you have a family and want to treat them to comfort, space, tech, and utility and join the early adoption of EVs, Kia’s EV9 is well worth a close look.