The Kia EV9 is an all-electric, three-row crossover that’s all-new for 2024. It’s offered in four trims–Light, Wind, Land and GT-Line.
The Land AWD version we have gets an EPA-estimated range of 280 miles. The seating configuration handles up to six people, with captain’s chairs in the second row.
The tester we have also comes with the optional towing package, …
The Kia EV9 sits atop Hyundai and Kia's shared Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) which it shares with the EV6, Genesis GV60 and the Hyundao Ioniq 5 and 6. So that's already starting out with a plus in the column because everything we've driven on that platform we like a lot.
Parked next to my wife's Ioniq5, it's clearly larger and more traditionally shaped like an SUV (albeit a very futuristic one). Inside the taller seating position gives you a bit more view but a higher hoodline compared to the Hyundai takes some of that view away, so there's a bit of false economy there. The Kia's interior is basically a reskin of the Hyundai's, and while it looks like they took steps to make it look more conventional—more traditional colors, textures and fonts for example—they also took away a few tactile buttons and replaced them with poorly delineated touch pads for a few key functions. Hard to say it's an upgrade or a downgrade from its platform mate, but we definitely like Hyundai's use of a few more actual buttons.
Interestingly, I've been seeing roughly the same 325-mile indicated range and actual energy use numbers in the Kia that we see with the smaller Hyundai—at least around town. On the highway I'd imagine the increased frontal area of the Kia is going to run into the laws of physics, but as a local workhorse, there doesn't seem to be much penalty for having the third row and more cargo space.
So overall it's a slightly larger, just as efficient Ioniq 5, which is a good thing... until you see the sticker price. The EV9 stickers out for about $16,000 more than a comparably equipped Ioniq 5, and aside from the third row there's not alot of difference in the cars to justify the additional spend. But if you gotta have that third row, I guess you gotta pony up.
Overall it's cool to see a truly full-size electric SUV that doesn't seem to have the efficiency penalty as other larger EVs. And it's built on a platform we already like, so there's not a lot to complain about here. well, except the public charging infrastructure, which continues to be hot garbage, but that's not Kia's fault (although it is their problem, but that's another story)
I would love to have one of these for my large family. But for $74,000? Ooof. No way.
nderwater said:I would love to have one of these for my large family. But for $74,000? Ooof. No way.
Yeah it kind of comes apart when you get to the price tag, doesn't it? I wonder if Kia will be doing aggressive sale and lease deals on their EVs the way Hyundai has?
One can buy a Telluride in the same showroom for $35-55k. But it looks like dealers are advertising prices for these EV9s in a very similar range online. They may be doing some pricing tricks to be able to advertise those numbers, but that makes them appear more reasonable.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
I admittedly haven't seen them side by side, but having looked both over in local showrooms the EV9 looks MUCH larger than the Ionic. I know you have them side by side in your driveway, am I wrong?
Also, with relation to price point, in defense of Kia have you guys priced a Ford Explorer lately? Everything is out of control with relation to price! The good news about EVs (unless you buy them new) is that they depreciate like a rock so they will make for a crazy good buy in a year or two.
Also, if they make it to a birthday at the dealerships, they will be giving them away. I still feel like I stole my leftover Lightning and do not regret it one bit!
You'll need to log in to post.
