Every now and then, a new vehicle will hit the market that looks so unlike anything else on the road that you can’t help but stare at it. I experienced this a few years ago when I laid eyes on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 for the first time, wondering if I had stumbled upon a spaceship, rather than a conventional car. I felt a very similar feeling when I picked up the keys to the latest press car I was scheduled to test and fittingly, it also comes from the Hyundai Motor Group.
Prior to collecting the 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line you see before you, I had never actually seen the brand’s latest electric SUV in the flesh. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. There is nothing on the road that looks quite like the EV9 and the optional Ocean Blue Matte paint makes it stand out even further. This is the flagship model from the surging South Korean carmaker and it throws out the rule book that Kia usually follows. It is something else entirely.
Quick Facts
A road-going concept car
Kia first provided the world a glimpse of what to expect with its three-row electric SUV at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, presenting the EV9 Concept. Much like the Ioniq 5, the production version of the EV9 sticks very true to the concept it is based around. Not only does it feature a radical design but it has some trick tech going on under the skin and pushes the brand into a new price bracket. So, is this the finest electric SUV on the market?
In Australia, the EV9 range consists of the Air, Earth, and GT-Line models. Prior to the launch of this model, the 576 hp EV6 GT was the most expensive Kia ever sold Down Under, carrying a $99,590 (~$64,800) price tag, excluding on-road costs.
Read: Kia’s U.S-Built EV9 To Miss Out On Full EV Tax Credit
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops
Kia has ventured even further up in the market with the EV9, pricing the base model from $97,000 (~$63,100) plus costs, the Earth from $106,500 (~$69,300), and the GT-Line from $121,000 (~$78,800) before an estimated $18,550 (~$12,000) in on-road fees. Yep, that means buying a flagship EV9 GT-Line like the one we tested will set back buyers a minimum of $139,550 (~$90,800). That’s an extraordinary figure and makes it roughly twice the $72,690 (~$47,500) price of Kia’s other premium 7-seat SUV, the flagship Sorento GT-Line Diesel. So, what do you get for your money?
In the case of the EV9 GT-Line, you get a vehicle that’s 5,015 mm (197 inches) long, 1,980 mm (77.9 inches) wide, and stands 1,780 mm (70 inches) tall with a 3,100 mm (122-inch) wheelbase, making it roughly 200 mm (7.8 inches) longer than a Sorento and boasting an extra 195 mm (7.7 inches) between the wheels. This added size pays dividends with interior space but more on that later.
Found beneath the dramatic bodywork of the GT-Line is a 99.8 kWh battery pack that alone weighs 566.5 kg (1,248 lbs), contributing a large part to the total weight of 2,636 kg (5,811 lbs). This substantial pack powers a pair of electric motors at the front and rear, both with 141.3 kW (189 hp) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, resulting in a combined 283 kW (379 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft). Those are some serious figures that allow the EV9 to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a brisk 5.3 seconds.
Is the cabin fitting of the price?
Open the doors of the EV9 and you are welcomed by an interior that’s quite unlike any other Kia, although one that is certainly not as dramatic in its design as the exterior. Immediately catching the eye is the single piece of glass stretching across the dashboard, consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and for the first time in a Kia, a 5.0-inch display sandwiched between them to house the climate controls.
While the presence of this climate control screen is welcome as it means you can instantly access the system, as opposed to many other new cars that have climate settings within the main infotainment screen, the display itself sits directly behind the left-side rim of the steering wheel, forcing you to tilt your head to see it. We prefer the slim touchscreen controls of other Kia models housed below the central air vents, like in the Sportage, Sorento, and EV6. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are present but they are wired systems and don’t offer wireless support, which is a shame.
Another oddity of the EV9 is the column shifter and the presence of the Start/Stop button on this column. Elsewhere, the dash of the EV9 is quite simple with plastic shortcut buttons, some haptic switches, and a rolling dial for the volume. It’s neat and minimalist but does not feel reflective of the SUV’s starting price. In place of the plastic switches, we would have liked to see some more metal being used. If Genesis can use metal buttons and switches at this price point, Kia surely can too.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops
As our test vehicle was the GT-Line, it was also installed with digital rear-view cameras, similar to those offered on other Hyundai group models. They work well enough but from a practical standpoint, we’re not convinced they’re better than standard mirrors and can’t imagine how pricey they’d be to replace. Among the key features enjoyed by front-seat occupants include ventilated and heated seats, and massage functions for the driver. There is also a 14-speaker Meridian audio system.
Australia is only offered the EV9 in seven-seat guise, not as a 2+2+2 six-seater like in some other markets. The second row is very spacious and the seats are comfortable. It is a similar story in the rear where there is ample leg and headroom, even for individuals taller than 6 feet, making this an entirely useable 7-seater that can be loaded with adults without issue. Those sitting in the third row even get their cup holders and USB-C charging ports.
There’s plenty of cargo space too. With the second- and third-rows folded away, the EV9 can be loaded with 2,318 liters (81.8 cubic-feet) of stuff. That figure drops to 828 liters (29 cubic-feet) with the second row in position and 333 liters (11.7 cubic-feet) with the third row is not folded. The GT-Line also has a 52-liter (1.8 cubic-foot) frunk while single-motor versions have a 90-liter (3.1 cubic-foot) frunk.
Kia has equipped the EV9 with all the safety goodies you’d expect. These include autonomous emergency braking with junction assistance, lane-keeping assistance, radar cruise control, driver fatigue monitoring, and speed-sign recognition. The radar cruise control and lane-keeping assist worked particularly well and made driving on freeways a breeze.
Is it good to drive?
After climbing into the driver’s seat of the EV9 GT-Line for the first time, I expected to feel like I was driving a bus. I didn’t. In fact, the EV9 hides its size and weight impressively and while it’s big, it is easy to place on the road and comfortable to park.
One of the most obvious benefits of an EV is how quiet they can be and the EV9 is one of the quietest EVs we’ve ever driven, despite its size and the fact that it looks like a brick. Wind noise at speeds of up to 130 km/h (80.7 mph) is almost non-existent, no doubt helped by the double-glazed front windows, the digital wing mirrors, and the fact that it has a relatively modest 0.28 drag coefficient. Then there’s the sheer performance of the thing.
With almost 300 kW (402 hp), it should come as no surprise that the EV9 is quick. It feels capable of matching Kia’s 0-100 km/h claim and if you pin the throttle, you can leave some sports cars for dead. Providing some added theater are a handful of synthesized sounds, although we opted against using them, finding them to be a little annoying while cruising.
It’s not just in a straight line where the EV9 impresses. This behemoth handles very well too. Those who buy one are unlikely to ever hustle it along a mountain road but should they choose to, they’ll be stunned by what they find. While the EV9 is heavy, much of the weight is centered low and there is surprisingly little body roll through corners. The GT-Line comes equipped with massive 285/45 R21 Continental Premium Contact C tires that provide superb levels of grip and yet, produce little tire roar, making them equally well suited to long highway stints.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/CarScoops
Some may be concerned that the 21-inch wheels of the GT-Line and the relatively thin sidewalls would hurt the EV9’s ride but we didn’t find that to be the case. Like most other Kias, the EV9 has benefited from a local suspension tune to ensure it is well-equipped to deal with testing Australian roads and we found it to perform impeccably in all conditions. It does a superb job of ironing out road imperfections and never feels out of sorts. Whether customers use the EV9 for long journeys or short stints to the jobs, they’ll be doing so in supreme comfort.
Should I buy one?
The Kia EV9 is very impressive. Not only does it look good but it is fast, comfortable, and practical. However, the interior isn’t quite fitting of the GT-Line’s asking price and unless you’re dying to own an EV, you could save a significant chunk of money with a slightly smaller Sorento and walk away just as happy.