Test: Kia EV9 – Tighter than a large American SUV

What will the Kia EV9 cost?

It is already known that the Kia EV9 will have a base price of almost 72,000 euros. It will not be the most expensive Kia ever, because the Stinger cost a lot more. Let’s put that 70k into perspective. We are talking about a five meter long SUV with six or seven seats and state-of-the-art electrical technology on board. This puts the brand in new waters.

Is the Kia EV9 technically based on the EV6?

Just like the smaller EV6, the EV9 gets 800 volt technology, which ensures fast charging in particular. The newcomer can tap enough power in fifteen minutes for a range of 239 kilometers. With an average consumption of 21 kWh per 100 km/h, this equates to a charging capacity of approximately 200 kW. In total, the battery has a capacity of 99.8 kWh, good for a range of 541 km (basic version) and 497 km for the tested four-wheel drive version with 384 hp and a torque of 600 Nm, respectively. Special enough, the GT-Line version has another 100 Nm more to offer.

Is the Kia EV6 a fast electric car?

Agreed, a minimum of 2.5 tons must also be set in motion, but both engines (one on each axle) nevertheless manage to press the passengers noticeably against the seats when accelerating. How well the 2WD version handles the weight, later tests should make clear, but the numbers tell a clear story: the 4×4 version needs 6 seconds for the hundred sprint, the rear-wheel drive 9.4 seconds. The latter version has a top speed of 185 km / h, the AWD taps 200. Which also speaks for the AWD version: the towing weight is a generous 2.5 tons, where the EV9 with an engine can only tow 950 kilos.

Isn’t the Kia EV9 mainly for the US market, like the Kia Telluride?

While the Kia’s muscular-looking body is clearly aimed at the all-important US market, the Kia handles sharper than many US SUVs. With sufficient comfort, but at the same time a stiff suspension and a direct steering that offers sufficient feedback and precision. Which is not to say that you can throw the EV9 through bends full of surrender, after all it remains a 1.76 meter high and heavy colossus. But this is not a sports car either. For example, the seats don’t offer much lateral support either. No, this is primarily a comfortable family carrier.

Is the Kia EV9 always a seven-seater?

The EV9 comes standard with a three-seater sofa in the second row and two extra seats at the very back, if desired you can also have two seats placed in the middle. You can move and even turn it, for example to easily put your child in the child seat. But you can also rotate them 180 degrees to chat with the passengers all the way in the back. The third row of seats is only suitable for smaller people.

How spacious is the Kia EV9?

When all seats are in place, there is still room for approximately 330 liters of luggage. If you fold both seats in the back (complete expansion is not possible) that increases to 823 liters. Kia does not yet provide more information about the luggage compartment. The EV9 also gets a ‘frunk’ in the front for your charging cable, with a modest capacity of 52 liters for the four-wheel drive version and a larger 90 liters for the two-wheel drive version.

What else is on the Kia EV9?

And while we’re on the subject of power, the EV9 can be turned into a 230-volt power outlet on wheels with the help of an adapter from the start of sales. At a later stage, Vehicle-2-Grid charging will also be possible, i.e. the possibility to feed power back to the grid and thus serve as energy storage if necessary.

At the market launch in the fourth quarter, another option is also not yet available: the Highway Driving Pilot, a Level 3 assistance system currently only available from Mercedes-Benz that enables the driver to hands off the steering wheel. This is only allowed in the US. All other common aids are available immediately. And there are even more technical gadgets. For example, the dashboard is equipped with a large display unit consisting of two 12.3-inch screens for the instruments and entertainment, as well as a smaller touch unit for operating the climate control in between. Too bad that this unit is partly covered by the steering wheel.

Good: to adjust the temperature and sound level of the audio system you can use the large buttons in the center console, which are characteristic of Kia.

Does the Kia EV9 have any novelties compared to other Kias?

Also new are the direct selection buttons for the navigation system, the radio and other things below the touchscreen. They are concealed in the wooden decorative strip below and are only visible when the car is started.

For the first time, Kia now also offers the option to activate functions after purchase over the airsuch as the automatic parking assistant with remote control and various streaming functions.

Also new: from now on, the smartphone can be used as a key. This unlocks the doors of the car as with conventional keys when approaching them, without having to take it out of your pocket. The actual key feels much too light and less high-quality than you would expect with such an expensive car. But they have already established that at Kia. The same applies to the not very nice-looking speaker cover in the interior, which is completely leather-free. This will also be adjusted before the market launch.