Kia is rapidly expanding its EV range and the latest addition is arguably the most exciting of them all. The test model we have is the EV9 99.8kWh AWD GT-Line, the current flagship of Kia's electric range. With an output of 283kW (379hp) and a wltp range of 512km, it supports rapid acceleration over a long time between charging stations while carrying up to 7 people. The wheel cover is the key to a futuristic, rugged look design. Their main task is to optimize the flow of air, reduce drag and help the large EV9 squeeze a few more kilograms from the battery. The 21-inch tire looks good enough in a huge wheel arch, so if you choose a smaller and more economical 19-inch tire, the EV9 will look slightly cheaper.
The aerodynamic optimization that we are not very excited about is the integrated door handle. In theory, when you approach the car, it jumps out, and when you lock the car, you need to sit at the same height as the door. In the short time we spent in EV9, they failed several times, refused to open even when we pressed a key, and then refused to close after we went. That's a recurring theme in our review, but it's worth noting that over-complicating the simple process of accessing the vehicle deserves a slight improvement in scope. There's a huge gap between the rear window and the end of the trunk, which could have made the larger Kia logo fit more properly.
For now, it looks like something is missing on the back of the EV9, especially the designation of the model is very small and in the corner of the trunk door. It would have been nice if there was a secondary opening that only the upper rear glass would open, as the trunk opening dominates the rear anyway. Alas, even if you need to take out or leave a very small item, you need to open a whole large one.The EV9 interior features many large pockets and a large build quality. The material for the price point, in particular, is solid and pleasant. Of course, there are some exceptions, but nothing sticks out as terrible. The funky design features a series of cool touches like pedals engraved with "+" and "-" for acceleration and braking.
The aluminum-looking cover of the optional "Meridian" sound system will look properly premium. The front door has seat control, and the GT line includes heating and cooling of all seats, as well as driver massage. The heated steering wheel button is also here. The material for all controls may have used higher quality materials, but the rest of the door surface is fine and soft to the touch We found, however, the door pocket is a little narrow, and it can fit only a small bottle of water.The steering wheel will not be everyone's cup of tea with 2 huge spokes and holes in the middle, but it feels great in the hand. At the bottom under the airbag there are 2 unusual buttons that control the drive mode and terrain. They don't really change much, but it's neat to have them in that place where they're easily accessible at all times.
You will also get a programmable button, which you can customize through the main screen to enable any function you want. The start button stays out of sight when you sit in the driver's seat, and the gear tree is confused with the placement where D is on top and R is on bottom, unlike every other auto on Earth. Behind the steering wheel is a digital gauge cluster. You can swipe between several different themes, but this means that the 12.3-inch screen is not much more useful than some analog dials, it only changes the readout to the middle part of the huge screen where the rest always remains the same. Below the screen is a huge trim panel that looks decorative until you notice an integrated touch-sensitive button that controls frequently used multimedia shortcuts.
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You can program to do something, just like the one on the steering wheel, and get the second Star button as well. Just below that bar is a climatic vent that is well integrated into the overall design of the interior. The center point of the dashboard is the scroll button, which toggles multimedia on/off and also controls the volume. Moving further down, slightly above the floor is a set of USB-C chargers that work on charging and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless is also available). There is also a hidden cigarette lighter style outlet. Just below them is a large storage area that can fit large objects such as laptops and purses. The center console is huge, but sadly Kia was fooled by its material and felt its plastic was a bit too hard. Thankfully, it is well built and offers a lot of flexibility.
The seat of the EV9 is very comfortable with a soft center and a thick bolster. The front seat has multiple adjustment levels, but the most striking is the relaxed position, which expands the seat into a bed-like position and allows you to relax comfortably while waiting in the car. Our reviewer is 1.95m (6'4") high and has plenty of room left. There is also a position to tilt the seat back, but in fact it is not so comfortable to use for a long time. Heated and cooled seats increase rear passenger comfort, yet climate control is a single zone for both second and third row passengers. Window blinds protect very well from the sun.
A great touch that until recently only a premium luxury car had is a button on the side of the passenger seat so that the rear passenger can control its seat. This means that if you need more space in the back and there's no one in front, you can keep your seat out of the way without stopping the car. The EV9 can choose the option in either 6-seater or 7-seater, and the 6-seater gets the captain chair in the 2nd row and even more comfort also makes it easier to move between rows, not difficult in other versions. The back of the seat folds at the touch of a button and another button unhinges the bottom so you can just push it forward. The process is simple and quick, opening up enough space for passengers in the 3rd row to enter.
Like many other 3-row Suvs, the 3rd row passengers also don't feel punished. The headroom is abundant, but the legroom is acceptable. You can push the middle seat forward to increase the space, but this does not mean that the 2nd row will never be cramped. EV9 storage is the best in the entire automotive industry. With all 3 rows of seats above the main trunk, it offers 313l of cargo space, which should be enough for daily usage or short trips with multiple passengers. Also, there are 3 different outlets, so you won't want them when you need to charge your device. When the 3rd row is folded, you are looking north of the 1,000l storage space.
The EV9 is one of the best options in this segment, and it's a really handy companion if you're planning to carry larger objects more often. If you fold the 3rd and 2nd rows, there will be enough space to put the mattress and you can sleep comfortably with 2 people. With a size of 2,400l the maximum storage space is huge and due to the box-shaped shape of the EV9 can be fully utilized. Folding all the seats from the trunk is easy with the push of a button, but if you need it again, you will have to manually expand the 2nd row. Having a Frunk (front trunk) is generally a big additional advantage of an EV, and the EV9 has.
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The suspension is resilient and can be a disadvantage in certain situations, but in most cases you get an easy and stress-free driving experience, and almost as a passenger, you feel comfortable and disconnected from the road, enjoy the amenities of the interior and spend more quality time with others in the car. There is a drive mode, but almost nothing changes. "Sport" makes the accelerator respond faster, while other modes make the accelerator smoother and less responsive. The suspension is not adaptable, so the EV9 is always treated the same way. It is dialed for comfort no matter terrain. Returning to off-road, it should be noted that the rugged design suggests a powerful vehicle from the street, but that's only partly true.
With four-wheel drive, high ground clearance and a great approach and starting angle, the EV9 can handle some mountaineering, but it's true off-road vehicles like wranglers and G-wagons. You can still turn off the traction control in the EV9 and terrain mode helps to adjust the power supply for each surface. The overall infotainment layout is simple with the main menu with several shortcuts, and the rest of the settings continue from there. The map and navigation is easy to use and once you enter your destination, the vehicle will calculate when, where and how long to charge for the fastest drive.
Voice memos have the option to use the built-in microphone, so if you don't want to forget it, you can always record it yourself and listen to it later. When you are tired and do not want to listen to music, play "sounds of nature", a pre-recorded natural sound, to relax and distract from everyday life "Quiet mode" is a great solution for parents whose children sleep in the back seat. It turns off the rear speaker and plays music only above the front. This eliminates all the obstacles inside and gives you a clear view, but the camera image is unfortunately zoomed in too much to recognize at the wrong depth where the object actually is.
The ride is soft and effortless, and there are no adaptive dampers, so you need to like it as it is. In fact, these ride settings are superbly adapted to the EV9, but they are not too soft to shake, but small enough for a relaxing commute, while bumps and potholes are rarely felt inside, while large bumps feel awkward at first and then smooth. The EV9 will charge up to 235kW, which, despite the large battery, is enough for a charge of 25-10% in 80 minutes. The big advantage of the EV9 is that it can be used as an outlet to power electrical equipment when you are at work or somewhere in the camp. The Kia EV9 has no direct competitors yet, especially if you're on the edge of the budget. But the fact that it does not have a big compromise will definitely make buyers consider it even if their budget is high.
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