When I’m on the road, I don’t need a lot of space, but if you do, the Kia EV9 GT-Line S will suit my requirements perfectly. This is a three-row, seven-seat SUV that is ideal for people with multiple family members and pets. Likewise, it works if you just like having plenty of space and aren’t worried about the snobby appeal of rivals like the Audi Q8 e-tron and BMW iX.
Thanks to its high chassis and impressive range, this is an electric car that can take on any paved surface.
The best electric cars for America’s roads
These are the best electric cars you can buy right now.
The all-wheel-drive EV9 also offers a towing capacity of 5,511 pounds, which means it’s perfect for those who like to hitch a bike, boat, and accommodation in the back for the great outdoors. Thanks to its high chassis and impressive range, this is an electric car that can take on any paved surface. However, the EV9 isn’t designed for off-roading, despite its seemingly unstoppable looks.
Kia EV9 GT-Line S
This all-wheel-drive model offers powerful performance and plenty of roadholding, making journeys quick and easy. The charging architecture is 800 volts, so stops along the way should be quick and efficient. Add to that plenty of towing capacity and interior storage space, plus seating for seven, so it’s ideal for larger families. Only the cost of a high-end model like this might make people switch to the German brand.
- Ample power always available
- Many features and functions
- Interior quality is also very comfortable
- Under pressure, efficiency struggles
- A small number of people in a confined space
- Not very suitable for off-roading
Price and availability
The Kia EV9 GT-Line is priced at $73,900. The S-line model I tested costs £76,025 in the UK, which is just over $95,000. The six-seat model is priced at £77,025 (approximately $97,000). Still, being able to shell out $54,900 for a base-level, rear-wheel-drive-only EV9 Light model seems like good value to me—especially considering Kia still has plenty of features and functionality to complement the bold styling.
Design and construction, appearance and functionality
Striking and distinctive exterior lines
The Korean automotive industry deserves credit for the progress it has made over the past few years. Both Kia and parent company Hyundai are trying to do things differently and create their own design flair. The Kia EV9 GT-Line S is eye-catching, and its angular design looks and feels very much in line with current trends. I think it’s pretty unique too – if I squint, the smells of Land Rover, Jeep and big Volvo come to mind, but only very briefly.
The Kia EV9 is also large, measuring 197.2 inches in length, 77.9 inches in width, and 68.9 inches in height minus the roof rails. It’s not light either, with the dual-motor version weighing well over 5,000 pounds. This means I think it’s more suited to the US market and its wide open motorways, rather than the tight and tight country lanes found throughout the UK. However, everything is well proportioned from the unique front end, which features neatly styled LED headlights sandwiched by a blunt grille area broken up by dark air intakes.
I think this approach would be better suited to the US market and its wide open motorways, rather than the tight and tight country lanes found throughout the UK.
These angular lines continue along the sides and into the rear end, which also benefits from striking taillights. Along the way, I think the 19 or 20-inch sculpted alloys really help set off the SUV’s shape. Kia also offers some interesting colors for the EV9, and if paint isn’t your thing, the currently popular matte finish is also part of the possible palette. Add it all together and I think the overall effect is very striking and gives the EV9 a real identity.
Refreshing interior design
Luxurious comfort and luxury finishes
While the Kia EV9 is impressive on the outside, it’s even better on the inside. Kia’s designers pulled out all the stops on the seat covers and cabin trim. All seats feel great, with the front power seats being the best experience. However, I was happy to sit in any of the three rows, and the rear position is surprisingly spacious even for adults. I’m confident that even if your whole family is on board, everyone will feel comfortable and taken care of thanks to ample charging ports and storage areas for everyday essentials like cups, mugs, and bottles.
The trunk area is also spacious and has sufficient practical carrying capacity. I also like how Kia provides an outlet so you can plug in a household appliance or laptop to charge when needed. I think if the weather is too bad you could spend a weekend in the Kia EV9 GT-Line S without setting up a tent.
Technical breakdown
Smart cockpit displays, software and support
Up front, the driver’s area is a real treat, modeled after the Kia EV6. Indeed, familiarity with other cars in the Kia range means mastering the dizzying array of technology on offer isn’t all that challenging. Anyone who isn’t familiar with everything may need to spend some time getting the hang of it, as there’s a lot to understand. Most controls are contained in dual 12.3-inch touch screens with excellent graphics. is a 5.3-inch digital panel that serves as a control area for climate options. With such a large interior in the EV9, the option of being able to control settings independently works well. I also generally like its driver assistance systems – and there are plenty – although less patient owners may decide to silence the speed limit chime and the like.
Battery, range and performance
Impressive range and efficiency
While the EV9 looks like an off-road vehicle, its sensitive tires remind you that this is a high-end SUV designed by Kia to be driven primarily on paved roads. Sure, I did dig into the Mud, Snow and Sand settings available in Drive Settings mode, but the EV9 is big and heavy. My test car may have had four-wheel drive, but I certainly didn’t have the confidence to take it where it was soft underfoot. These settings are great for backup if weather conditions change and you need to call on them in an unexpected emergency.
Most of my time behind the wheel of the EV9 has been on regular roads, which is where it feels happiest. It’s very smooth to drive and the driver controls are well thought out.
How Tesla’s NACS plug became the de facto EV charging standard
Why this is a good thing for the automotive industry.
Most of my time behind the wheel of the EV9 has been on regular roads, which is where it feels happiest. It’s very smooth to drive and the driver controls are well thought out. While driver assistance and unwanted alerts can be unnerving, they are common in most modern cars. However, thanks to the large 99.8kWh battery, the EV9 has plenty of power, although I didn’t find the EV9 to be particularly efficient during relaxed driving, with less than 3kWH per mile being pretty standard. This is understandable considering its size and weight. The long-range single-motor range is rated at 349 miles, but I’ve been driving the all-wheel-drive model and the range dropped to 313 miles. I’ve found that real world use means it’s less and journeys in the 200 mile range are still realistically achievable. This is again impressive considering the size and weight of the EV9. There’s good news on the charging front, as the EV9 battery can charge at speeds of up to 210kW, although finding such a commercial charger may not be easy at the moment. With one of these connected, I was able to boost the battery from 10% to 80% in an impressive 24 minutes.
Verdict: Am I a fan of the Kia EV9?
I’ve enjoyed my time with the Kia EV9 GT-Line S, and the SUV is as good as I remembered when it was first launched. Standing up for the first time, easing into the cockpit and staring at the far corner of the hood, I had a feeling it was going to be too big. However, now that I’ve driven this large SUV around a lot of driveways and coastline winding roads, I think that, for the most part, the Kia EV9 GT-Line S is surprisingly supple given its overall bulkiness.
Now that I’ve driven this large SUV around a lot of driveways and coastline winding roads, I thought the Kia EV9 GT-Line S was surprisingly supple in most situations, considering its overall bulkiness.
It also works well on a variety of surfaces, even if you start throwing it around, although the nearly three-ton weight quickly reminded me of the grand design. At standard highway speeds, the EV9 is superior; it’s easy to control and very comfortable, even if you’re all the way back in the third-row seat. I’m glad I can also tame any driving aids that might cause minor annoyances. Otherwise, there’s nothing to complain about.