We drove the 2024 Kia EV9, the company's new three-row electric SUV, and find it expertly fills a much-needed gap in the market.
excellence. With four years under its belt, the Telluride remains the best in its class, even in the face of newer rivals. So what's next? Simply put, take all that worked with the Telluride and combine it with elements of another Kia hit, the electricWe were some of the first to drive the all-new EV9 in its U.S.-spec form at the/Kia proving grounds in the high desert north of Los Angeles.
Things get more serious with the Wind trim. It adds a second motor up front for all-wheel-drive and a combined output of 379 hp and 443 lb-ft. Range drops to a still-above-average 270 miles and acceleration improves to a rapid 5.7 seconds. If you opt for the larger 20-inch wheels, range is further reduced to 253 miles. It's also worth noting that Kia will offer a Boost “Feature on Demand” that can be purchased through the infotainment system that increases torque to 516 lb-ft.
Although battery size and performance contribute to range, so does efficiency, and for that, the EV9 isn’t exactly miserly. While a long-range, all-wheel-drive EV6 returns an EPA-estimated 109 miles-per-gallon equivalent , the comparable EV9 Wind AWD is good for only 79 mpg-e. It goes down to 71 for the GT-Line . This is akin to a. Electricity isn’t free, so much like gas-powered family vehicles, opting for a bigger model is going to cost you more to refuel.
We also had the opportunity to test the EV9 on a moderate off-road course. With only 7.8 inches of ground clearance, its terrain capabilities are somewhat limited, but short front and rear overhangs help quite a bit. You wouldn't want to attempt tougher terrain with big rocks or deep mud, but steep climbs up dirt trails should be no problem.
Should you find the charger-adjacent facilities lacking, the top two trims come with a power recliner footrest so you can lay back as though you were in business class. The GT-Line goes further by adding a light massage function, too. All EV9s come with synthetic leather seat upholstery that feels more substantial than the thinner vinyl-like coverings we experienced with the Korean-spec models.
The EV9's capabilities extend well past performance and practicality, too. Technology is another big part of the equation, and Kia is leaning into it in a big way. First off, you get a wide glass enclosure that houses two 12.3-inch displays. One for the instrument panel and a touchscreen for infotainment. Between them is a narrow 5-inch touchscreen dedicated to climate controls.