I’m not sure there’s enough excitement surrounding the launch of Kia’s newest electric vehicle, the EV9. Not only is it very, very, good, it is, more importantly, the first non-premium-brand 3-row electric crossover retailed in the U.S., and it is an excellent 3-row crossover.
2024 Kia EV9 First Impressions
While a full Consumer Guide review of the EV9 is forthcoming, I was able to spend some time behind the wheel of the EV9 this week in the company of Green Sense Show host Robert Colangelo. Here are a few of my thoughts regarding this cutting-edge, family friendly, EV.
Think Electric Telluride
At 197 inches in overall length, the EV9 is exactly the same length as the brand’s gas-powered Telluride midsize 3-row crossover. And, in most ways, it serves up the same room, comfort and space. There’s plenty of adult space in the front two seating rows, and the 3rd-row will accommodate most youngsters with ease, and even willing and pliable high-school-sized passengers.
One issue is the cargo load floor, which sits significantly higher off the ground than does the floor in the Telluride. The raised floor height is necessary to accommodate the rear motor assembly, which can be seen in the EV9 cutaway below.
Promising Range
On a pleasant summer day here in Chicago, the EV9 was showing close to 300 miles of range on a 90% charge, this is well in excess of the crossover’s EPA estimated 270 miles of range. Credit the nice weather, Robert’s casual driving style (maybe?), and, perhaps, the EPA for being a little conservative in its estimates. Regardless, as a 3-row crossover, the EV9 will be called on for long-distance road-trip duty, and it’s good to know it should return solid distance numbers.
Dynamically Satisfying
The dual-motor (AWD) EV9 GT-Line we spent time with was both fast and sharp handling. With 379 horsepower on tap the EV9 moves out smartly, and like most EVs, serves up immediate power. Likewise, the brakes are sure and smooth, and avoid the inconsistent pedal response sometimes found in hybrid and EV vehicles. (Hybrid and electric vehicles employ regenerative braking systems designed to recapture energy otherwise wasted during braking. These systems can extend the electric range of said vehicles.)
The Ride is Just OK
Like the excellent Cadillac Lyriq EV crossover, the EV9 rides well, but it does not ride very well. Ride quality is a hallmark of family-oriented crossovers, and like so many electric vehicles, the EV9 doesn’t quite deliver the road isolation that non-electric crossovers do.
The issue is likely heft. The EV9, equipped with the larger 100-kWh battery as our test car was (entry EV9s employ at 76-kWh unit) weighs in at a staggering 5800 pounds, more than half a ton more than the gasoline-powered Telluride. While the EV9 rides well on good-condition road surfaces, larger ruts and bumps can induced more body motion than may seem normal, followed by some harshness as the vehicle body settles down after the impact.
To be clear, the EV9 rides just fine, but the brand’s own Telluride serves up a more comfortable rough-road experience.
Luxury Money
The GT-Line, which includes the aforementioned long-range battery and AWD, comes in pretty expensive. All told, including the extra-cost GT-Line 2nd Row Relaxation Package ($2000), our test EV9 clocked in at just over $78,000. To us, that’s luxury-car money. Now, to be fair, premium-brand luxury crossovers can come in much higher, and the EV9 can be had more affordably.
The Wind AWD is the least-expensive EV9 to include both the long-range battery and AWD. Without options, the EV9 Wind AWD comes in just under $66,000, or not too much higher than a fully loaded Telluride.
Relative to the topline Telluride SX Prestige, the Wind would give up some amenities, but its more accessible entry point may be a draw to families genuinely interesting in going electric.
Final Thoughts
The EV9 is no bargain, but it is a capable and rewarding-to-drive large crossover with plenty of family-friendly features that, apart from price, asks little in exchange for its power and carbon-free driving experience.
We’re very impressed by the EV9, and look forward to the lineup expanding downward in price, increasing access for green-minded families looking for a solid bring-the-whole-clan ride.
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2024 Kia EV9 Pictures
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2024 Kia Telluride SX Prestige X-Line: Review, Prices, and Specs
