Enjoy the Charge

Hooked to a super-fast charger, Kia’s all-new, all-electric EV9 can recapture an 80% charge in just 24 minutes. But, wait, what’s the rush?

You’ll be stretched out in the ultra-cushy three-row SUV, front seat reclined and power leg-rests deployed, while the Ergo Motion system performs a soothing massage. Might as well do the slow charger and flip on the 14-speaker Meridian audio system, too.

Kia and family (Hyundai, Genesis) have attracted enormous attention in the EV world with several striking designs over the last couple of years (with record sales on multiple models so far this year). The EV9 has become the new flagship SUV, but stay tuned as the dynamic brand reportedly plans 10 more electric vehicles by 2026.

The EV9 is considered an upper-midsize but is just a half-inch bigger than its Telluride kin. It is unusually boxy and upright for an EV, with stacked LEDs and a lightning-bolt line of running lights. Functional air intakes at the front corners cool the brakes. 

On the sides, fender flares and recessed door handles reduce wind resistance. Rear tail lights sport a radical, jagged streak, while the rear wiper is neatly hidden under the spoiler.

EV9’s base trim, called Light, starts in the mid $50s, has a single motor and rear-wheel-drive. At the high end is the GT-Line, which blends near-luxury comfort with a hint of sportiness, and uses two motors for more power and all-wheel-drive sure-footedness. This should not be confused with the GT — that 576-hp powerhouse is expected for the 2025 model year. 

Along with its dual motors are dual World Car awards — World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle — bestowed for its exterior design and seven-seat interior.

The motors are energized by a 99.8 kWh battery and offer a combined output of 379 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration is brisk at 4.8 seconds, with the quarter-mile in around 13 seconds.

Driving dynamics are excellent. Steering is responsive and nicely weighted, and braking is strong. Corners are negotiated cleanly with good grip and minimal lean, especially for a nearly three-ton SUV. Partial credit goes to the battery-derived low center of gravity.

Kia left out adaptive dampers and air suspension yet it handles modest bumps and dips acceptably. The ride is on the firm side and the 21-inch wheels don’t help.

There are three drive modes and Normal is where you’ll spend most of your time. Eco lightens the giddy-up and extends the range a bit; in Sport mode, adjustable seat bolsters tighten while steering and throttle response quickens for a livelier ride.

The EV9 also offers three levels of regenerative braking, controlled by paddle shifters behind the wheel. They vary from coasting to one-pedal driving, which is convenient in traffic and can bring the vehicle all the way to a stop by releasing the accelerator.

While towing is not range-friendly, the SUV can pull 5,000 pounds and is equipped with a self-leveling rear suspension.

Range is not exceptional at a Kia-estimated 270 miles, but some in buyer forums say they’re doing much better at closer to 300.

As for charging, a Level 2 charger at home will have it juiced up in nine hours. A public fast-charger will get it to 80% in only 1.5 hours. 

The immediate reward for spending the extra bucks for an EV is the energy savings. The EPA estimates 88 MPGe around town, 72 highway, for a combined figure of 80. And Kia offers 3,000 miles of free charge with Electrify America. 

Inside, the EV9 is easily the roomiest and most comfortable family electric on the road, excluding luxury three-row models from Mercedes and Tesla that cost far more. It seats six or seven and has nearly 160 cubic feet of passenger volume and comfort. The third row has its own USB-C ports and AC vents, too.

GT-Line front seats are trimmed in Syn-Tex, a faux leather that looks and feels just fine. The driver gets 10-way power seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment, an extra premium comfort setting, bolster adjustments and two-way power leg extensions. 

A second-row bench seat enables seating for seven. But captain chairs and the 2^nd Row Relaxation Package ($2,000) offer those riders similar comfort to the front: Heated/ventilated seats that recline, a massage feature and power leg rests. It includes overhead AC vents with their own controls and window shades.

The seats have USB ports and pockets behind the front seats that are large enough to store laptops. They also can access a storage tray and bin that slide out from the dual-purpose front center console.

Up front, three digital displays are nicely merged into one broad screen. A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen provides navigation, entertainment, vehicle settings and diagnostics. In front of the driver is an LCD display with the gauge cluster and other driver data. Sandwiched between them is a 5-inch climate touchscreen for current temp, fan speed and vent positions.

You’ll need to be careful when reaching for the touchscreen — it’s easy for a finger to tap the haptic buttons aligned just underneath it. A couple of other oddities worth mentioning: The gear-selector stalk is unusual and takes some getting used to. And, the start button is in an unconventional spot behind the steering wheel. What’s up with that?

The GT-Line also gets a 12-inch head-up display that is one of the best with at-a-glance information and a blind-spot detector that shows the encroaching vehicle.

A fair amount of storage cubbies exists, and cup holders up front can squeeze closed for an extra stash spot. Unfortunately, they’re less effective as cup holders than storage areas, failing to hold cups snugly regardless of size.

Rear storage is much handier. Open the hands-free lift gate for 20.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row, plus a shallow under-floor area. Fold the rear seats for 43.5 cubic feet more. The power-folding second row expands the total capacity to nearly 82 cubes. 

EV9 comes standard with driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control, navigation-based assist on curves, and collision-avoidance systems for forward, rear and blind-spot situations. The GT-Line also gets an advanced highway-drive assist.

If you’re shopping three-row SUVs, there are plenty to consider. But if it’s a quick, quiet, three-row EV that is shy of those luxury sticker prices, look no further. And, with a Georgia plant now producing EV9s, you may even score at least a partial EV tax credit.  

Barry Spyker was the automotive editor and columnist for the Miami Herald

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