Kia EV9: The Ultimate Family Electric SUV

The Kia EV9 has quickly established itself as one of the most compelling electric SUVs on the market, especially for families. After spending 6 months with the base model EV9 Light Long Range, we've put this 3-row electric SUV through extensive real-world testing to see how it holds up in daily use. Here's our comprehensive review of the Kia EV9 and why it may be the best value in electric family vehicles.

Key Specs and Pricing

The base model Kia EV9 Light Long Range we tested comes with:

• Larger 99.8 kWh battery pack
• Single 150 kW rear motor (201 hp)
• EPA range of 304 miles
• 6-seat configuration with captain's chairs
• Starting price around $60,000

Higher trims add features like:

• Dual motor all-wheel drive
• More powerful motors (up to 379 hp)
• Premium audio
• Larger displays
• Additional luxury and tech features

But even the base model is very well-equipped, with standard features like:

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Tri-zone climate control
• Large touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Advanced driver assistance (HDA2)
• 800V fast charging capability

Impressive Charging and Range

One of the EV9's standout features is its excellent charging capabilities. As part of Hyundai/Kia's E-GMP platform, the EV9 utilizes 800V architecture for ultra-fast DC charging:

• Can charge at over 200 kW
• Maintains high charging speeds up to 70-80% state of charge
• 10-80% charge in under 25 minutes
• 0-100% charge in about 1 hour

This makes the EV9 a very capable road trip vehicle. The large battery pack also provides ample real-world range:

• EPA rated for 304 miles
• Our 70 mph highway range test yielded about 280 miles
• Gentle driving can achieve over 300 miles of range

The rear-wheel drive configuration of the base model helps maximize efficiency and range compared to AWD versions. Overall, range anxiety should not be an issue for most drivers.

Spacious and Versatile Interior

As a purpose-built electric vehicle, the EV9 makes excellent use of its large footprint to create a spacious and versatile interior:

• True 3-row seating with usable third row
• Available 6 or 7 seat configurations
• Plenty of headroom and legroom in all rows
• Flat floor for easy entry/exit
• Generous cargo space behind third row
• Seats fold flat for maximum cargo capacity
• Frunk provides additional storage up front

The interior is also very family-friendly with features like:

• Multiple USB ports throughout cabin
• Tri-zone climate control
• Available rear seat entertainment system
• Easy-clean surfaces
• Ample small item storage

Whether hauling kids, dogs, or cargo, the EV9's interior proves extremely practical and accommodating for family use.

Comfortable and Quiet Ride

Despite being the base model without the fancier suspension of higher trims, our EV9 delivered a very comfortable and composed ride:

• Smooth and quiet on the highway
• Absorbs bumps and road imperfections well
• Limited body roll for such a large vehicle
• Acoustic glass helps reduce wind/road noise

The seats also received universal praise for comfort, especially the headrests which may be the best in the industry. Combined with the spacious interior, the EV9 excels as a long-distance cruiser.

Adequate Performance for Family Use

With just 201 horsepower motivating over 5,000 lbs, the base EV9 is certainly not quick by EV standards:

• 0-60 mph in about 7.5 seconds
• Adequate acceleration for daily driving
• Can struggle a bit with high-speed passing
• Higher trims offer much more power (up to 379 hp)

However, for typical family use, the base powertrain proves perfectly adequate. The instant torque of the electric motor provides good response at lower speeds. Most drivers found they didn't really need or miss having more power in daily use.

Advanced Driver Assistance

The EV9 comes standard with Kia's Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) system, which provides:

• Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
• Lane centering
• Automatic lane changes
• Navigation-based speed adjustment

In our testing, HDA2 performed very well, reducing driver fatigue on long trips. The capacitive steering wheel sensor is also nicely implemented.

Some Software Quirks

While generally responsive and feature-rich, the EV9's infotainment system does have some usability quirks:

• Menu structure can be confusing
• Some commonly used functions buried in submenus
• Navigation and route planning needs improvement
• Climate controls can be blocked by steering wheel

Most owners should be able to adapt, but it's not as intuitive as some competing systems. Thankfully, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported.

Impressive Value Proposition

Perhaps the EV9's greatest strength is the value it offers compared to other 3-row electric SUVs:

• $20,000+ less than direct competitors
• Well-equipped even in base trim
• Qualifies for $7,500 federal tax credit
• Attractive lease deals available

For families wanting a spacious, capable electric SUV, the EV9 delivers a compelling package at a relatively affordable price point.

Long-Term Reliability

Over our 6 months with the EV9, we experienced:

• No major mechanical or electrical issues
• No 12V battery problems (an issue for some early owners)
• Only minor software glitches
• Consistent performance in all weather conditions

While long-term reliability is still to be determined, our experience and reports from owners of other E-GMP vehicles (Ioniq 5, EV6) suggest the platform is quite robust.

Room for Improvement

While overall very impressive, there are some areas where the EV9 could be improved:

• Base model performance is adequate but not exciting
• Interior materials in some areas feel a bit cheap
• Infotainment UX needs refinement
• Suspension tuning could be better (especially on higher trims)
• No heat pump offered for improved cold weather efficiency
• Lacks some features like a proper dog mode

However, most of these are minor quibbles given the EV9's price point and overall package.

Final Verdict

After extensive real-world testing, the Kia EV9 proves to be an excellent family electric SUV and a true bargain in its segment. It delivers on the key needs of space, comfort, range, and charging speed while offering a compelling value proposition.

While it may lack some of the performance or luxury touches of more expensive competitors, for most families the EV9 hits the sweet spot of practicality and affordability. It's a vehicle that just works well for daily family use without any major compromises.

If you're in the market for a 3-row electric SUV and don't want to spend $80k+, the Kia EV9 should be at the top of your list. It's a vehicle that could truly accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles among families.

The Kia EV9 isn't just a great electric SUV - it's a great family vehicle, period. By delivering a practical, capable package at a relatively affordable price point, Kia has created what may become the default choice for families looking to go electric. It's not perfect, but it gets the important things right.

As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve rapidly, the EV9 stands out as a well-executed product that meets the needs of mainstream buyers. It proves that practical, family-friendly EVs don't have to break the bank. For many households, this could be the vehicle that finally makes the switch to electric not just possible, but preferable.

While there's always room for improvement, Kia deserves credit for bringing such a compelling package to market at this price point. The EV9 raises the bar for affordable electric SUVs and should put pressure on other automakers to deliver similar value. It's a vehicle that could play a significant role in accelerating EV adoption among families.

Ultimately, the Kia EV9 delivers on its promise of being a practical, capable family hauler that just happens to be electric. It makes the transition to an EV feel natural and uncompromised. For many households, this could be the ideal vehicle to make the switch to electric - and that makes it a true game-changer in the automotive landscape.

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