Driven: 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD
Kia’s three-row EV9 GT-Line AWD is the best overall vehicle we’ve driven in the past 12 months. It looks spectacular, has a spacious and comfortable cabin, packs the latest technology – oh, and it accelerates as quickly as a sports car. With concept car styling, luxury appointments, solid driving range, and fast charging, it’s as good as electric vehicles get.
The EV9 features a boxy but streamlined design that maximizes interior space while remaining as aerodynamic as possible. To help reduce wind resistance, it has electric door handles that collapse flush with the body. The tricked-out GT-Line variant we drove rolls on stunning black 21-inch alloy wheels, has gloss black roof rails and trim and has unique front and rear styling.
Another notable feature that comes with both the EV9 Land and GT-Line grades are headlights that project their beams from a dozen LED cubes. Those are flanked by L-shaped accent lights and can displan animated digital patters behind the painted grille. It's a stunning effect at night, and further distinguishes the EV9 from every other vehicle on the road.
All EV9s but the entry-level Light RWD have a large 99.8 kWh battery pack. The single-motor Long-Range configuration provides up to 304 miles of driving range. The Wind AWD and Land AWD can go 280 miles, and the fully loaded GT-Line AWD travels up to 270 miles between charges. Its charging system is compatible with 350 kW DC fast charging and can refill from 10% to 80% charge in as little as 24 minutes. Unfortunately, our regular quick-charge spot was out of service the week we had the EV9, so we ended up at a 62.5 kWh charger, which took about 90 minutes to charge from 50 to 100%. As with any EV, we highly recommend installing a Level 2 home charger if you buy one. An 11kw Level 2 240-volt charger will juice up the big battery from 10-100% in about 8 hours and 45 minutes, so think about it like recharging your phone overnight. We didn't get a chance to test it in sub-freezing temperatures, but the EV9 also has a heat pump, which can help reduce range loss in cold climates.
The EV9 comes in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the single-motor version offering 201 to 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque, and the dual-motor versions provide an ample 379 horsepower and up to 516 lb-ft. of torque. The top-of-the-line GT-Line AWD reviewed here can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds (with a 1-foot rollout), making it faster than Mercedes and Land Rover competitors. Throttle response is instantaneous, and the SUV's low center of gravity helps it stay balanced and controlled. Its ride is impressively quiet - not just because of the electric power, but because of its well-insulated cabin. McPherson front struts and a multi-link rear suspension help smooth out bumpy roads. A self-leveling rear air suspension helps with handling if you're using the EV9 to tow a trailer.
Inside, it's sleek and modern while being pragmatic. The space has a bright and airy feel, with a clean and linear approach to design. Sitting atop the dashboard is a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays fused together with a 5.3-inch touchscreen controlling the climate system. The central touchscreen has a responsive and intuitive interface and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A set of haptic touch buttons beneath the display provides quick access to various screens, and there are additional physical controls for temperature and volume. The floating center console has storage space beneath for a purse or other bag, and there are a pair of pop-out cupholders beneath a sliding door for versatility. A wireless charging pad sits behind that. There are plenty of USB-C ports, with two up front, two in the seat backs for second-row access, and two for the third-row passengers.
The front seats are incredibly comfortable and provide a wide variety of adjustments. We liked the soft mesh headrests and the driver's seat ERGO Motion massage feature. Combined with a relaxing full-recline feature, it makes waiting for public charger fill-ups far more pleasant. Both front seats have heat and cooling and leg extensions for added comfort. While some EV9s can be configured for seven passengers, the GT-Line AWD comes standard with second-row captain's chairs, carrying six people with a bit more space between them. The second-row seats have legroom and kneeroom for days, folding armrests, and heat and cooling. These were upgraded with the second-row relaxation package, which includes 8-way power controls, wing-style headrests, and extendable leg rests for limo-like comfort. There's an overhead control pod for climate control and individual ceiling vents. The back of the center console is topped off with cupholders and features a convenient storage drawer with a slide-out tray.
There's a long list of tech features for safety and convenience, including a crisp surround-view camera with front and rear parking sensors, a wide-angle digital rearview mirror, and a large head-up display. Kia's Highway Driving Assist 2 combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering tech. At the same time, the blind spot detection system not only alerts you to vehicles you put your turn signal on but also displays video of the adjacent lane on the instrument cluster. The Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 feature lets you pull the EV9 in and out of tight parking spaces using the keyfob while you stand outside the vehicle.
Accessing the third row is pretty straightforward - there are pushbutton controls on the second-row seats that slide and tilt them forward so you can step into the back. The back seats are less supportive and bolstered than the front two rows, but they're covered in the same quality materials. The headroom back here is very good, but legroom and kneeroom can be tight for taller passengers. The space is great for kids, though, and they'll be comfy with their own cupholders, phone/tablet chargers, speakers, and ceiling vents.
There's great space in the back of the EV9, too. Fold all the seats, and it'll carry up to 81.7 cubic feet of cargo. We had no trouble fitting two adult-sized bikes with room to spare. With passengers in the second row, you still get 43.5 cubic feet; with a full house, you still get 20.2 cubic feet for carrying groceries, backpacks, and other everyday gear. Back here, you'll also find remote power controls for folding the captain's chairs and manual pullcords for dropping the third row. There's a hands-free liftgate and 120-volt AC and 12-volt DC outlets.
Ever since Tesla popularized the term "frunk," we get asked the same question with every EV: "How big is the frunk?" Well, in the case of the EV9, it's not much. Because of electrical components in the front of the vehicle, the usable storage space beneath the hood is limited to just 1.8 cubic feet. That's enough space to store emergency hand tools and a first aid kit, but not much else. The rear-wheel drive models get a bit more frunk space - 3.2 cubic feet.
Regardless of what you might have heard in the news, EVs are here to stay, and the Kia EV9 is the best 3-row EV you can buy today. We love its forward-looking design, razor-sharp focus on comfort and utility, and sporty attitude. It gives you everything a premium minivan does without the minivan stigma and the bonus of impressive passing power. While you can get into a base EV9 Light RWD for $55,000, the GT-Line AWD model tested here starts at $73,900. Ours had a sticker of $78,430, which was primarily because of the beautiful Ocean Blue paint, the second-row relaxation package, and freight and handling.
