Kia has used electrification as a springboard to take on the future with a completely new approach. A step in this is the new flagship model Kia EV9.
We headed to the south of France for a test drive.
The Kia EV9 is a real step up for the Korean brand. (Photo: Kia)Kia wants to crush the competition
The Kia EV9 drives straight into the segment for seven-seat electric SUVs, a growing but still sparse segment.
It opens up a completely new target group for the Korean brand, a target group that can imagine spending around SEK 800,000 on a new car.
Having said that, Kia wants to be clear that the EV9 is certainly not intended to be “premium”, even though it offers a range of features that are associated with premium cars.
Some examples are ventilated seats, dimensions called duga, as well as a myriad of interesting technical features.
The Kia EV9 makes the competition sweat. (Photo: Kia) Like a moving box on wheels
In terms of appearance, the EV9 undoubtedly stands out in a sea of bland SUVs on the market. The brand’s new philosophy is all about contrasts, something that gives the EV9 an incredibly distinctive look.
Interior-wise, the Kia EV9 can be had with either six or seven seats.
Despite the car’s boxy appearance – which means an enormous sense of space inside – the EV9 has an impressive drag coefficient of 0.28, compared to 0.26 for, for example, Mercedes’ equivalent EQS SUV.
In terms of size, the EV9 is on par with the Range Rover, which can be attributed to the fact that the EV9 is mainly aimed at the US market.
The EV9 is more streamlined than you might think. (Photo: Kia) In the American way
The drive took place on French roads in a semi-sunny Nice. When you step into the EV9, you are greeted by substantial controls and a consistently high quality feeling. Having said that, there are still some surfaces that feel plasticky.
The gear selector can be found on the steering column, which would have freed up space in the center console. Instead, they have chosen to place the driving mode selector there.
The seats are comfortable and in terms of suspension comfort has been the focus, but Kia still refrains from offering its cars with air suspension. The EV9 can also do without adaptive dampers.
The result, however, is a car that swallows most bumps well. At low speeds, the EV9 has difficulty parrying the unevenness of the road. At higher speeds, the EV9 feels stable and feels like a glove at highway speeds.
On the road, the EV9 feels far from tight, but that’s not the point either. The steering is very light, which makes the car feel a little nervous during more dynamic driving.
However, the probability that the intended target group will drive for king and country on country roads is decidedly low.
The Kia EV9 does not invite dynamic driving. (Photo: Kia)Space, space, space
The third row of seats is incredibly spacious – and my signature, who is 185 centimeters tall, was able to fit in without a problem – while the second row of seats can be pushed forward and backward both quickly and easily.
The car feels very American from behind the wheel, with a focus on comfort rather than dynamics. At the same time, the cozy interior contributes to a low sound volume in the passenger compartment.
It is also full of many practical storage compartments. Depending on the equipment, the front passenger seat can also be adjusted to create a “lounge feeling” when loading the car.
The third row of seats is much more spacious than you think. (Photo: Kia) The Kia EV9 is a nimble Korean
In terms of power, the EV9 is equipped with two electric motors that together generate 384 horsepower and 700 newton meters.
That’s enough for the 2.6-ton family car to reach 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. The sensation is surprisingly violent, but with that said, the car does not invite particularly inspiring driving.
Instead, it thrives best when driven calmly. Having said that, the EV9 is only offered in four-wheel drive in the Swedish market, while other markets get a rear-wheel drive entry-level model.
Technology in droves
The EV9 boasts an 800-volt system that means the electric SUV can be charged at speeds of up to 240 kW.
The range of the four-wheel drive model is up to 505 kilometers according to WLTP. The infotainment system consists of two 12.3-inch screens and a 5-inch monochrome screen that controls the climate system.
The system has been updated which means more possibilities to add shortcuts and customize the home screen.
Kia has also introduced haptic touch buttons that are integrated into the dashboard.
However, the system is not very intuitive and requires a fairly long starting distance before you feel comfortable behind the levers.
The interior is mostly well thought out. (Photo: Kia) The Kia EV9 really impresses
The Kia EV9 enters the somewhat restrictive arena for seven-seat electric SUVs with a well-thought-out recipe.
It offers good range, good charging capacity, impressive practicality and a driving experience that stands out.
In terms of price, the EV9 starts at SEK 807,900, which is ridiculously high for a Kia, but when compared to the competitors and what you actually get for the money, it does not appear to be so unreasonable.
The Kia EV9 is undoubtedly one of the best electric cars on the market right now.
Rating of Kia EV9 4.5/5
Kia EV9 (2024)
Engine: Electric motor front, rear, 384 horsepower, 270 newton meters.
Transmission: One-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive.
Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.
Top speed: 200 km/h.
Electrical range: 505 km.
Weight: 2,580 kg.
Measure: (length/width/height): 5015/1980/1755 mm.
Award: from SEK 807,900