Going all-electric is no longer limited to cars, pickup trucks, and compact SUVs. The chassis for the three-row EV9 SUV, which is roughly the same size as the existing gas-only Telluride, is shared with the future Hyundai Ioniq 7.
The EV9 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the latter sporting a 379-hp dual-motor drivetrain.
Kia claims that the 99.8-kWh battery in both the AWD and rear-drive Long Range variants will provide 300 miles of range with the single-motor system.
The regular RWD EV9 will feature a 76.1-kWh battery with a range of up to 223 miles, according to Kia. Its large size comes with a large towing capability of 5,000 pounds, which is the same as the maximum capacity of the gas-powered Telluride.
The promise of a useable third row of seats in the EV9 is sure to entice many families. Not only is it one of the few three-row EVs on the market, but it also has a starting price of less than $60,000, which is unusual for an EV of this size.
When the 2024 Kia EV9 gets on sale in America towards the end of this year, families searching for a mid-size three-row electric SUV will find their options grow slightly.
The EV9 will be the largest EV in showrooms shared with the subcompact Niro EV and tiny EV6, with proportions roughly comparable to the gas-powered Kia Telluride and a blocky styling that sets it distinct.
Kia revealed some details about the EV9 at its worldwide launch last month, and the company is now debuting the US version at the New York Auto Show.
2024 Kia EV9 Interior
The EV9 is available in six- or seven-passenger configurations, depending on whether the second row features captain’s seats or a bench.
The third row of the EV9’s top trim levels is power folding. The front seats in the prototype we rode were stiff, and most of the synthetic fabric seemed cheap.
Hopefully, this will not be the case for US-spec cars. The second-row captain’s chairs in the EV9 have a similar feel as the fronts and include heating, ventilation, and massaging.
The third seat comfortably fits people in the far rear, but will demand some compromises from those in the second row in order to comfortably afford legroom.
The EV9’s rear storage area is nearly as large as the Telluride’s and can be expanded to 82 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded flat.
Inside the EV9 are two 12.3-inch panels, one for the gauge cluster and the other for infotainment, separated by a specialized HVAC readout.
The EV9 loses physical knobs and has fewer buttons than other Kias on the market today, with only a few critical HVAC settings and a volume knob remaining, coupled with touch-sensitive controls incorporated in the dash to access multiple menus.
The EV9 employs a totally new generation of infotainment, the specifics of which will remain unknown until the new three-row is presented.
2024 Kia EV9 Exterior
Most people have seen the EV9’s Minecraft-like bodywork by now. Its striking look hasn’t changed much since the idea debuted at the L.A. car show.
Some production models may even include comparable front accent lights that glow through the body color and can be set into various patterns. Kia says the EV9 has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.28, which is an extremely low number given its design.
The external measurements of the EV9 are all within tenths of an inch of those of the Telluride. The electric vehicle is 197.4 inches in length, 77.9 inches in width, and 69.1 inches in height (70.1 inches for the GT-Line).
The EV9, on the other hand, has an extra 7.8 inches between its axles and a wheelbase that reaches 122.0 inches. The EV9 will be fitted with wheels ranging in size from 19 to 21 inches. All versions have 7.8 inches of ground clearance as well.
2024 Kia EV9 Performance
The rear-wheel-drive Standard model is the first in the EV9 series, with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 215 horsepower. The Long Range model is also rear-drive.
Despite the addition of a larger battery, its peak power is reduced to 201 horses. Kia claims the former will reach 62 mph in 8.2 seconds, and the latter will take 9.4 seconds.
All-wheel-drive variants include a dual-motor setup with a combined 379 horsepower, and an optional Boost mode increases peak torque output and provides faster acceleration.
Kia boasts that the AWD EV9 will reach 62 mph in only 5.3 seconds, making it the car to acquire if you want the punchy take-offs that EVs are known for.
For the 2025 model year, a performance-oriented GT variant with up to 576 horsepower will be added to the roster. Even though we were only piloting a prototype, it was a joy to drive.
The EV9 offers a pleasantly gentle ride on the highway, and the defeatable one-pedal easily brings the SUV to a complete stop.
The 76.1-kWh battery pack is standard on the entry-level Standard model. The 99.8-kWh battery is greater in the Standard Long Range variant and all-wheel-drive models.
According to Kia, the Long Range EV9 can go up to 300 miles between charges. Just don’t expect the dual-motor all-wheel drive model to have the same range.
Every EV9 is equipped with Kia’s 800-volt electrical design, which allows DC fast-chargers to swiftly recharge its battery. The EV9’s onboard charger is 11 kW, which is about average among rivals, but its 230-kilowatt maximum DC-fast charging speed is estimated to add 149 miles of range in as little as 15 minutes.