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Three months after opening US orders for the long-anticipated three-row EV9 SUV, the parents at Kia invited media out to wine nation to check drive it for the primary time. We’ve already had up-close encounters with the EV9, however this was our first probability to take it for a spin and actually take a look at every part inside and outside (together with that third row). Whilst you in all probability can’t put bodybuilders within the again seat, the EV9 delivers in a variety of methods different OEMs will not be and at a comparatively attractive worth level.
A fast Kia EV9 recap main as much as the take a look at drive
This newest drive occasion (personally my first with Kia) was three years within the making, because the EV9 SUV’s origin dates again to its debut as an idea on the LA Auto Present in 2021. I used to be current at that unveiling and felt early on that if Kia and Hyundai Motor Group might ship an EV that appeared comparable, supplied most inside house, and had above-average vary; it could be a house run with shoppers… so long as the value was proper too.
As at all times, that’s simpler stated than completed… particularly phrases coming from the consolation of my standing desk or, on this case, a not-so-roomy United Airways seat. However, we at Electrek (myself included) had been pleasantly shocked at how comparable the production-intent EV9 stayed to its conceptual design.
2023 was an enormous yr for Kia in a variety of methods, however EV9’s growth was an enormous a part of that narrative, even when it wasn’t a real contributor to its report US gross sales (but). We watched the EV endure winter testing, start deliveries in its native Korea, and shortly discovered EU pricing.
By final summer time, we discovered the Korean automaker was increasing its US facility to incorporate EV9 manufacturing – Kia’s first BEV to be in-built America and finally qualifying for (some) federal tax credit (extra on that later).
From the onset of reservations, demand has far outweighed availability – an encouraging signal for the automaker that has anticipated nice success with its first bespoke SUV on the E-GMP platform.
Kia turned some heads in September when it shared that the EV9 would begin at an MSRP under $55,000 within the US, additional teasing my urge for food to check drive this mannequin and see if it delivers on consolation and efficiency.
Whereas this was simply the most recent media take a look at drive occasion I’ve personally skilled (EV9’s have already been delivered to a few of my non-media buddies), it was my finest alternative nonetheless to open up the top-tier GT-Line round wine nation, and I took full benefit.
Listed below are my ideas.
The Kia EV9 is premium, not luxurious, roomy however not spacious
The EV9 arrives as a part of Kia’s “Plan S” electrification technique, which is able to introduce seven new BEV fashions by 2027.
The design and engineering workforce developed the SUV as a mainstream competitor to imminent automobiles just like the Hyundai IONIQ 7, Chevy Blazer EV, and Toyota’s bZ4X, but in addition put a variety of work into the inside and general driver expertise to attempt to compete towards extra luxurious EV fashions just like the Tesla Mannequin Y and Mannequin X, Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX, and Rivian R1S – all of which had been benchmarked.
After driving all of those EVs and now the EV, Kia’s EV wins or at the very least stays aggressive in a variety of classes, particularly its third row. That being stated, the third row could very effectively nonetheless underwhelm some shoppers. They’ve undoubtedly bought Tesla beat although!
To offer you an thought of what I used to be working with, I’ll element the specs of the EV9 GT-Line – the fully-loaded SUV choice from Kia that every of us media bought to drive in Napa, California. Its dual-motor AWD powertrain delivers 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The HMG E-GMP platform options Kia’s bigger 99.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which weighs practically 1,250 kilos by itself.
The GT-Line can ship a high pace of 124 mph and speed up 0-60 mph in 5 seconds – 4.5 should you use “Increase Mode” (accessible as an add-on for the decrease trims). Since inside house has been an enormous promoting level on this EV from day one, I’ll additionally share a number of the inside dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 122 inches (7.8 inches longer than the Kia Telluride)
- Headroom (twin sunroof on GT-Line):
- Entrance Row: 39.6 inches
- Second Row: 38.8 inches
- Third Row: 39.5 inches
- Legroom (with second row captains chairs):
- Entrance Row: 41.4 inches
- Second Row: 42.8 inches
- Third Row: 32 inches
That’s fairly a drop-off in roominess to the third row, however I’ll admit, the EV9 delivered way more room than most third rows I’ve ever skilled, particularly in EVs. For added perspective, Kia shared that the EV9 presents extra whole legroom than the Audi Q8 e-tron, the BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, and Tesla Mannequin Y, and extra third-row headroom (+0.9″) and shoulder room (+3.9″) than the Rivian R1S. Discover no point out of extra legroom, although. Listed below are some photographs from the third row:
I do know I’m placing a variety of emphasis on the third-row, however that’s an enormous promoting level utilized by Kia to get US shoppers to need to drive the EV9. That stated, let’s deal with my precise drive and my trustworthy opinion of the Kia EV9. Listed below are some extra photographs of the general inside. High quality with out flashiness and soooo many USB-C ports all through.
EV9 may very well be the quietest EV I’ve ever pushed
I’m main with this as a result of it’s a characteristic that’s typically neglected or undervalued since you’re both blasting Pop2K on Sirius XM and never paying consideration, or your driving a rattly Mannequin Y and also you’re praying for solace.
Earlier than the drive, Kia executives advised us the EV9 was quiet – a 58.2-decibel inside at 55 mph (corresponding to a Vary Rover inside). That is one thing you don’t really recognize till you expertise it your self, although. Between the electrical motor, quiet sealed inside cabin, and noise-canceling EV tires, the EV9 was eerily quiet, even at excessive speeds.
I discovered the general really feel of the drive very clean and acceleration with the twin motors to be satisfactory for confidently overtaking different automobiles on the freeway. Nonetheless, we had been a great distance from goosebumps when it comes to pure pace. And that’s tremendous. This EV isn’t making an attempt to be a observe automobile however extra of a snug, polished, and tech-forward household automobile, which it accomplishes tenfold.
The person interface was intuitive and simple to study. The paddles on the again of the wheel had been simple for switching between regen modes – I like my i-Pedal driving, in order that’s the place I stayed most of my drive. Nonetheless, I like that Kia presents a number of ranges of regenerative braking for the brand new EV9 drivers as they get extra comfy with the nuances of one-pedal EV driving. When you study it, you don’t need to return!
I initially had bother discovering the way to change drive modes till a tech identified it was proper beneath my nostril on the backside of the steering wheel. I didn’t discover a variety of variance between eco, regular, and even sport mode, regardless of Kia executives telling me how briskly that latter mode is (I politely disagree, however I wasn’t anticipating sizzling laps and squealing hairpin turns both).
Sport Mode continues to be the place I had probably the most enjoyable (on the expense of my driving accomplice Runjhun’s abdomen). I discovered the suspension barely looser general and a bit extra “giddy up,” however nonetheless nothing significantly hair-raising.
The suspension general was my largest qualm with the Kia EV9 throughout my drive. We felt a variety of bumps, even at decrease speeds, and obstacles like pace bumps had been surprisingly uncomfortable to cross over. In that sense, I longed for the air suspension of a twin motor Rivian.
Throughout my drive, I bought to check out the EV9’s freeway drive help, which permits for lane hold, a protected distance behind different vehicles, and even seamless lane modifications by merely activating a flip sign. I discovered the ADAS to be greater than satisfactory and would undoubtedly take benefit throughout longer drives within the EV9… simply not too lengthy, relying on which trim you select.
As talked about above, Kia caught client consideration when it introduced US homeowners might drive off in a brand new EV9 for $54,900. Granted, that’s for the bare-bones RWD Gentle trim with solely 230 miles of vary, however nonetheless – that’s a stable begin for the quantity of inside house, high quality supplies, and superior tech you get on this SUV.
Bear in mind – the EV9 is on an 800V platform able to 210 kW peak cost energy and replenishment in 24 minutes. To not point out its vehicle-to-load (V2L), vehicle-to-home (V2H), and, sooner or later, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities as soon as vitality firms begin to play good.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the GT-Line trim of the Kia EV9 I bought to drive begins at $73,900. Costly, sure. Nevertheless it’s higher while you evaluate it to the remainder of the BEV market and practically all the EV fashions benchmarked by Kia talked about above. A few of these rivals are pushing $100k beginning MSRPs for barely extra luxurious interiors and just a little extra vary.
I wouldn’t spring for the GT-Line to get all add-ons like Increase Mode and distinctive wheels. The AWD Wind or the Land trims, nevertheless, intrigue me. You continue to get twin motors, the 99.8 kWh battery, and the identical horsepower, however with extra vary (280 miles vs. 270 miles on the GT-Line).
These trims begin at $63,900 and $69,900 respectively. I’d even be smitten with the RWD Gentle trim and its 304 miles of vary for beneath $60k – though, if I actually know myself, I’d miss the moment acceleration of the twin motors.
Whereas some shoppers could also be initially turned off by the value or vary of the Kia EV9, I believe a broader have a look at the remainder of the market serves the argument that this is likely one of the most geared up and tech-forward electrical SUVs accessible proper now at a worth that beats most all of its rivals.
Youthful folks seeking to begin households and go electrical have been ready for a automobile like this, and I don’t suppose it is going to disappoint. I foresee it doing effectively globally, particularly within the SUV-crazed US.
Add federal tax credit to the equation when EV9 manufacturing begins in Georgia later this yr, and that solely sweetens the deal. Hell, I’d say lease one and make the most of the total $7,500 credit score on the level of sale, then revisit no matter Hyundai Motor Group is engaged on two or three years from now. The way in which they’re delivering high quality EVs, you could be prepared for an IONIQ 7 or Genesis SUV sooner or later, and people EVs will in all probability have much more spectacular specs at truthful costs.
I’ve stated it many occasions, however I’ll repeat it. Is anybody doing extra within the electrical mobility house than Hyundai and Kia proper now? I’d argue no.
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