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Introduction
When the Telluride concept hit the show stands I was among those at the reveal, and among the first to be excited about it. But the Telluride, sales success though it has been, is a far cry from that concept, trying too hard to be a Highlander and not hard enough to excel where that 3 row lags. In a sense the EV9 is more true to that blocky and muscular Telluride concept in style and substance.

If you don’t recall that concept, perhaps you have fond memories of another 3 row the EV9 is like an electric version of: the Durango. The base Light feeling nimble and willing like a V6 RWD Durango, the all wheel drives doing their best to impress and best impression of a V8 or SRT model.

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If one EV can tip America toward EVs, it’s this one. In one swoop it makes luxury and mainstream, 2 rows or 3, gas or EV look a bit silly.

Get past the Roblox looks, and settle behind the blocky steering wheel and you’re in for a treat.

Refinement and Passenger Comfort
As with all EVs, the lack of shifts or internal combustion vibrations calms the EV9. But unlike many EVs, the body and suspension display a solidity over bumps and a hushed management of outside noise, while the low center of gravity and long wheelbase gives it a combination of supple and stable few cars can match. The taut body and wheel control combine with the tall tire profiles, especially in lower and lighter models, to give those even in the 3rd row a comfortable ride. In a 3 row minivan or crossover with a gas engine you might want an intercom or mirror to facilitate conversation. In the EV9 everyone can converse in a hushed tone. It’s a space that brings families together.

If anything the base versions are even more comfortable with their plushier tires, lack of mass on the front suspension, and less hair trigger response to accelerator input and output.

Materials
The EV9 embarrasses other mainstream offerings, even luxury ones. The materials lining the cabin, the headliner, and even cradling your head in the front headrests is a cut above most cars, looking more visionary and future facing, akin to what you typically see in a concept car or design student’s thesis work. Kia used to lag the industry in interior quality, but this EV9 punches hard, harder even than many Genesis models. Even the base Light variant feels properly plush, while the higher trims shame Land Rover and the like.

Driver experience
The EV9 might be the best Kia to drive in the company’s history. Like the StingerGT it has willing and able chassis that feels tossable and ready. Unlike the Stinger it has an interior that feels class leading, with unusually clever materials whether you’re in a base Light or a loaded up Land. I preferred it both as a driver and a passenger even to the EV6. It won’t set the same speed records, but it’s much easier to see out of, much more comfortable for everyone on onboard when you’re not going for it, and much more convincing as a one car solution.

It combines some of the best qualities of the GMP platform in one package. The Germanic solidity of the IONIQ6 the relaxing mein of the IONIQ 5, the friskiness of the EV6 and the power to surprise and delight and pampering tendencies of the GV60 and Electrified GV70 and G80.

Single motor models have lighter steering and more gentle response to pedal inputs. Dual motor cars feel alert and ready to burn electrons and dart from lights at the slightest provocation. A Light with its steering and throttle set to sport feels a but like a dual motor car with everything in the light and most efficient setting. While I preferred the more organic feel of the single motor EV9, there’s no arguing the dual motor plants a greater sense of confidence in your chest and a bigger smile on your face. It’s big, stupid fun that leads to big stupid grins, but also more chance of making yourself and passengers carsick. You’ve been warned!

Charging
Too few people look at charging speeds and efficiency when looking at EVs. Luckily Kia paid attention to these real world factors, and owners will benefit. GMP owners report the ability to charge from 10-80% in 20 minutes on a 350kW charger, less than 30 on a more common 150kW. Road trips suddenly feel like taking for the fun of it again with charging speeds like this.

Trims available: 5
Trims evaluated: 3
The hardest thing might be choosing between them.

Light is aptly named. Its lack of a larger battery or front motor gives it a far lighter weight and more nimble feel. It’s also the most efficient. While it lacks a sunroof, even it includes cooled and heated front seats. It’s a base model that doesn’t feel basic, and acceleration feels more than adequate. Fits 7 passengers and is rated for 230 miles on a charge. If you like a more car like drive this is probably the one for you.

Light long range combines the single motor setup with a larger battery. Slightly heavier and only seats 6 but 300 miles of range. It’s the slowest of the bunch but not exactly slow.

Wind
Combines the punchy all wheel drive of the Land and GT line and the larger battery with a more attainable price tag by balancing feature content between the Light’s minimalism with the Land’s mass. Seats 7.

Land
With most of what makes the GT line an opulent swine without all the visual lipstick, the Land makes a great case for itself if you’re coming from a luxury brand offering. Has the dual motor + big battery setup and 6 passenger seating. 280 miles of rated range.

GT Line
Distinguished visually by its more massive wheels and blacked out wheel and window trim finish, the GT line is the most alluring to the eye. But it’s also the most expensive and arguably the worst value. It also takes a slight hit to range in exchange for its big wheels and wider tires.

Final Thoughts:
Usually you look at an EV and think: it’s nice, but it’s not affordable. With the EV9, the asking feels reasonable, especially after KIA’s $7500-9000 in incentive money, so much so that it makes the other products from Hyundai Kia and Genesis feel a bit too aggressively priced. Those from other brands too. It feels like Kia wants to dominate with this car in the way Lexus came out swinging decades ago.

If you’re looking at a 3 row car of any kind, the EV9 is worth a try. If you’re looking at an EV of any kind the EV9 is too. With it’s combination of comfort, fun to drive, materials quality, and bold design, the EV9 is the result of a company hitting its stride and hitting the competition and the marketplace with all it’s got. I get the feeling it’s this car that we will be talking about years from now as the best of its breed. It’s rare that as obvious an effort was made on a car as has been made here. Don’t ket the badge and the notoriously bad dealers deter you from this truly world class product. This is a deeply capable and desirable car that appeals to the head and the heart in equal measure.

Also consider
The EV9 is worthy of keeping good company:
Rivian R1S - You can tell Kia took a close look at this one when it comes to interior materials and quality. The RIVIAN is a less efficient, more off road capable vehicle, with a starting price where the EV9 tops off.

LUCID Gravity – That the EV9 can be mentioned in the same breath as the LUCID high praise for them both. They share more than a squircle steering wheel, but LUCID is the higher end luxury product and by enthusiasts for enthusiasts choice.

ID Buzz – VW has been promising it for over two decades but we should be seeing it by mid decade. More of a minivan, but styling and smile inducing in its own way too like the EV9.

IONIQ 7 - Closest will likely be the EV9’s cousin from Hyundai. Think Telluride to Palisade, and expect the interior to resemble the IONIQ 5 and 6 and suspension tuning to be a shade more cosseting as tends to be the case when differentiating between a Hyundai and a Kia.

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 1st, 2024 at 2:13 pm and is filed under .