FYI: The Kia EV9 electric SUV is getting rave reviews for its value, practicality, and features despite a few minor imperfections.
The Kia EV9: A Family-Friendly Electric SUV Making Waves
The Kia EV9 isn’t the most economical electric vehicle on the market, nor does it boast the longest driving range or fastest acceleration. However, it is quickly becoming a fan favorite among early adopters and reviewers, rivalling established models like the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S. Enthusiasts from popular platforms such as YouTube, Reddit, and various online forums are singing its praises.
Rave Reviews from Industry Experts
One notable review comes from the YouTube channel Out Of Spec Reviews. Over six months, the reviewers amassed 6,000 miles on a long-range, rear-wheel-drive EV9 loaner. They were unequivocal in their praise: the EV9 offers “incredible value for the money” and “rocks with no real issues.” These commendations are especially significant coming from seasoned, independent reviewers known for their thorough and critical evaluations.
Family SUVs Go Electric
Americans have long favored large SUVs for their capability to transport goods and families over long distances comfortably. Now, with electrification on the rise, the EV sector sees its first genuinely family-friendly entries, including the Kia EV9. In this growing segment, the EV9 stands out by combining practicality and range.
Best Value in Rear-Wheel Drive
According to the reviews, rear-wheel-drive variants of the EV9 offer the best value. The base model, known as the Light trim, comes with either a 76.1-kilowatt-hour battery, offering 230 miles of EPA-estimated range, or a more substantial 99.8 kWh battery, pushing the range to 304 miles. The latter, starting at approximately $60,000, is considered a "bargain pick" among long-range, three-row electric SUVs—around $15,000 less expensive than the Rivian R1S. While competitors like the Tesla Model Y, Model X, and Mercedes EQB also feature third-row seating, these are often deemed impractical. “Those third rows are a joke,” remarked Jordan from Out Of Spec Reviews.
Highway Range and Charging Efficiency
The EV9’s real-world highway range in its long-range RWD configuration hovers around 280 miles. This makes it more than adequate for regular commutes and road trips. It boasts "rock solid" charging capabilities, thanks to Hyundai Motor Group’s 800-volt-class Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). When connected to a suitable DC fast charger, it can maintain a 200-kilowatt charging speed deep into its session, replenishing 200 miles of range in just over 20 minutes—a feature that solidifies it as a great "road-tripping machine."
Performance vs Practicality
Electric vehicles are often equated with rapid acceleration and an abundance of horsepower and torque. While the EV9 isn’t built to set speed records—it takes 8.8 seconds to go from 0-60 mph—its true strengths lie elsewhere. Weighing around 5,300 pounds with a single rear motor producing 201 horsepower, its acceleration feels sprightly up to 30 mph but tapers off after that. This modest performance pays off in range efficiency, achieving a real-world efficiency of about three miles per kWh, better compared to the 2.4 miles per kWh seen in the 2024 Rivian R1S.
Features and Internal Space
Where the EV9 truly excels is in its feature set and interior space. Even the base model includes heated and cooled front seats, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster alongside a central infotainment display featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and tri-zone climate control. Additional conveniences like a powered charge port and rear lift gate are also standard. Inside, the EV9 offers ample space for families and cargo, providing exceptional value for its price. As Conner put it, the EV9’s "family friendliness and space for the money is pretty unbelievable."
Minor Quibbles
Of course, no car is without flaws. The placement of the climate display between the gauge cluster and the central screen leaves it partly obscured by the steering wheel. Occasional software bugs, such as temporary issues with the volume control, can sometimes arise but are generally rectifiable with a simple restart. The Kia smartphone app also doesn’t quite match up to the more sophisticated software from Tesla and Rivian. However, the screen remains snappy and user-friendly, and these minor quirks are unlikely to be deal-breakers for most buyers.
Conclusion
Investigations by InsideEVs corroborate that Kia has delivered a home run with the EV9. Though it might face stiffer competition from upcoming models by Toyota, Ford, and Hyundai’s own Ioniq 9, it currently stands in a league of its own. Minor issues could easily be fixed with over-the-air updates, and for those seeking a well-rounded, family-friendly electric SUV, the Kia EV9 stands out as a compelling choice.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
