The EV9 Is More Proof That Kia Is Killing It With EVs

It’s sort of absurd that the Kia EV9 doesn’t have any present rivals. Positive, there are different three-row EVs, however none are designed across the major perform of transporting plenty of folks. So actually, the Kia EV9 has the three-row EV market all to its personal. It goes to indicate simply how far forward of the curve the Korean model is.

And it’s not simply that the EV9 is the one recreation on the town. It’s a superb automotive.

Just like the smaller EV6, the EV9 rides on Hyundai Motor’s E-GMP electric-car platform. Whereas related in measurement to the vastly standard Kia Telluride, the EV9 has an extended wheelbase and a bit extra inside passenger room. Brewing an EV, it’s unsurprisingly dearer, with a base value of $54,900 and this top-trim GT-Line tester stickering for $79,390. (Proper now, Kia imports EV9s from Korea, however in the summertime, it’ll start manufacturing within the US. These EV9s ought to qualify for a few of the $7,500 federal tax credit score on EVs.) 

What instantly strikes you is the refinement. Sure, EVs are quiet and clean normally, however the EV9 is particularly hushed and silky. The GT-Line comes with motors on the entrance and rear combining for 379 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It’s rattling fast for one thing this huge—Kia quotes a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds—however the energy supply is expertly calibrated by no means to be jarring. There’s no slamming-into-the-headrest histrionics, and only a faint whine beneath acceleration.

Professionals: Easy Demeanor, Quick Charging Speeds, Glorious Effectivity, Considerate & Nicely-Constructed Inside

I spent a while in a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max simply earlier than testing the EV9, and whereas that automotive has a really good hybrid drivetrain, the Kia reveals simply how a lot nicer issues are while you do away with inner combustion in a automotive like this. The easy acceleration and close to silence make the EV9 really feel like a real luxurious automotive by comparability. 

All long-range variations of the EV9 include a 99.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack, and for the GT-Line, Kia quotes a 270-mile EPA vary. I didn’t do any scientific vary testing with it, however on one comparatively quick freeway drive I simply noticed 2.7 miles/kWh, and on a slower drive that included a mixture of freeway and metropolis visitors, I managed 3.1 miles/kWh. These have been each on a dry, overcast 45-degree day and recommend that you shouldn’t have any bother matching or beating the official vary figures. The effectivity is particularly spectacular when you think about the EV9’s measurement and weight, over 5,800 kilos as examined.

Like the remainder of its E-GMP household, the EV9 makes use of an 800-volt electrical structure that gives for very quick charging speeds. At a busy Electrify America station and with minimal battery pre-heating, I managed round 160 kilowatts from round 40 p.c state of cost. Kia says most charging is 210 kW, which is much better than most electrical SUVs in the marketplace.

General, the EV9 is a really comfy automotive, although the driving dynamics are what you’d anticipate from an SUV. It’s a nitpick, however I believe the automotive is a little bit underdamped—roll over a giant bump and it takes a short time for the physique to calm down. And whereas the middle of gravity typical of EVs helps with dealing with, this factor nonetheless weighs shut to 3 tons. However, none of those are actually factors towards, and positively not for the EV9’s goal clients. Should you’re popping out of an internal-combustion three-row and into this, you gained’t be disenchanted.

What patrons will recognize are the EV9’s nice ergonomics. There are bodily buttons for primary local weather controls, plus a devoted display between the gauge cluster and infotainment show for extra HVAC changes; the heated/cooled seat controls are on the doorways; Kia’s infotainment system is straightforward and easy-to-use, with notable enhancements over earlier iterations; there are buttons on the steering wheel as an alternative of the in-vogue haptic touchpads that by no means actually work. It’s all so smart and straightforward. 

I additionally love Kia’s use of paddle shifters to regulate lift-accelerator regeneration settings. Everybody has their preferences on how a lot regen you get while you carry off the accelerator, and paddles make it simple to toggle. Personally, I change between the bottom regen setting and full coast, and never having these settings buried in a menu makes life a lot easier.

Frankly, there aren’t many extra points with the EV9. There are a number of too some ways to orient the seat, and I by no means received fairly comfy, however our mileage will in all probability range. It’s additionally undeniably an costly automotive irrespective of the way you slice it. 

Cons: Value, Considerably Unsettled Journey

The bottom value basically picks up the place the Telluride leaves off. And no matter powertrain, a automotive’s value comes with sure units of expectations. With the GT-Line, for instance, not one of the inside supplies are dangerous or low cost feeling, however they don’t essentially really feel $75,000 good. 

Within the ways in which matter, the EV9 is a knockout. A automotive that permits Kia to run away with what ought to be a scorching phase, and one which’ll be a tricky benchmark to fulfill for all different comers. And as of proper now, actual rivals are a methods away. We gained’t get the mechanically related Hyundai Ioniq 7 till later this 12 months, and Toyota’s electrical three-row doesn’t arrive till 2025. Luxurious rivals just like the Lucid Gravity and Volvo EX90 are nonetheless months out too, and each will likely be dearer than the Kia.

If it wasn’t already apparent, each different automaker is simply letting Kia run away proper now. Their electrical three-rows want to come back quickly and so they have to be excellent.