Kia EV9

Kia

EV9

Models

Review summary powered by Claude

The Kia EV9 is a three-row electric SUV that competes directly with the Rivian R1S and Volkswagen ID.Buzz in a segment with few established players. Arriving for the 2024 model year, it shares its E-GMP platform with the Hyundai IONIQ 6 and Genesis GV80 Coupe EV, bringing 800-volt architecture to a family-oriented package. Reviewers at Edmunds and Car and Driver consistently highlight its genuinely usable third row for adults and the upscale, minimalist interior as differentiators that justify its price positioning against both traditional three-row SUVs and rival EVs.

Strengths

  • Third-row seating is legitimately usable for adults, a distinction Car and Driver noted separates the EV9 from most three-row SUVs at any price point
  • 800-volt architecture enables DC fast charging at up to 240 kW, allowing roughly 10–80 percent charge in around 24 minutes under ideal conditions
  • Light Long Range RWD trim achieves 304 miles of EPA-rated range, the longest in the lineup and competitive with the Rivian R1S Standard battery
  • GT-Line AWD produces 501 hp and a 4.5-second 0–60 time while retaining full seven- or eight-passenger seating with no dedicated performance penalty to cargo space
  • Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability across all trims allows up to 3.6 kW of external power output, usable for camping equipment or jobsite tools

Considerations

  • Wind AWD and upper trims see range drop to 270–280 miles despite significantly higher prices, a trade-off InsideEVs flagged as a meaningful efficiency penalty for the dual-motor setup
  • Standard Range RWD base trim at $54,900 produces only 215 hp and an 8.2-second 0–60 time, noticeably sluggish relative to the weight of the vehicle
  • Real-world charging speeds frequently fall short of the 240 kW peak rating outside of optimal battery temperature and state-of-charge conditions, per owner reports
  • At 6,000-plus pounds of curb weight, reviewers including MotorTrend noted that body roll and overall dynamics feel closer to a traditional three-row SUV than a performance-oriented EV