The Kia EV9 has received very specific tuning, which aims to offer the best driving experience in the segment. But how does it compare to other electric SUVs on the market? And is it worth considering for your next car purchase? Let’s find out.
What is the Kia EV9?
The Kia EV9 is the brand’s first dedicated electric SUV, based on the E-GMP platform that also underpins the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Genesis GV60. It was unveiled at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show and is expected to go on sale in early 2022.
The Kia EV9 has a distinctive design that combines a boxy shape with futuristic details, such as the LED headlights and taillights, the clamshell hood, and the flush door handles. It also features a spacious and versatile interior, with a flat floor, sliding and reclining rear seats, and a large trunk that can accommodate up to 59.3 cubic feet of cargo with the seats folded.
The Kia EV9 offers two battery options: a 58-kWh pack that provides an estimated range of 240 miles and a 77.4-kWh pack that boosts the range to 300 miles. Both batteries can be recharged from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes using a 350-kW fast charger. The Kia EV9 also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, which allows it to supply power to other devices or vehicles.
The Kia EV9 comes with two powertrain choices: a rear-wheel-drive configuration that delivers 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and an all-wheel-drive configuration that produces 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. The car can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, according to Kia.
The Kia EV9 is equipped with a host of advanced safety and driver-assist features, such as forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, highway driving assist, smart cruise control, driver attention warning, and parking collision-avoidance assist. It also features a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a wireless smartphone charger, a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and a panoramic sunroof.