Kia continues to make giant strides with its launches, especially with 100% electric vehicles . The South Korean brand has just launched its new flagship, the Kia EV9 , which positions itself as the most technologically and technologically advanced car in the automaker's lineup. And get this: it boasts nearly 385 hp delivered to the road via two electric motors. We've already tested it!
First and foremost, it's important to highlight that this is a flagship car , a halo model. They won't sell thousands upon thousands of units in Spain, but there's no better way to showcase the brand's true potential to the public. With that said, let's delve into all the details of this luxurious 5-meter electric family SUV. Yes, luxurious, because it has everything you could possibly need.
The Kia EV9 is an impressive car
When you see it in person, the first thing that stands out is the size of this electric car. We're talking about a length of no less than 5,01 meters , a width of 1,98 meters, and a height of 1,75 meters. Meanwhile, the wheelbase is a whopping 3,10 meters. Yes, it's a huge car that won't be easy to park in just any parking lot.
In terms of design, it features very straight and defined lines on all four sides. The front has multiple horizontal lines, which create polygonal shapes with the vertically positioned LED headlights and the lower vent, which will open at certain times to cool the battery and other components.
Along the side , we see wheel arches that, while not square, feature straight lines. There are also many strong, straight lines, underbody protection, and a straight roof that ends in a spoiler. The flush, retractable door handles and roof rails are also noteworthy. Equally striking are the 21-inch wheels , which are heavily streamlined to improve aerodynamics.
The rear end maintains the same design trend, with a very large tailgate and distinctive vertical taillights. Incidentally, the windshield wiper is concealed within the upper spoiler, as is the overhead camera that can function as a digital rearview mirror. Its bumper is also quite prominent.
Full of technology inside
Starting with the visible and tangible technology inside, there are two 12,3-inch screens, plus a slightly smaller third screen for climate control. These are practically integrated into the instrument cluster, which retains the brand's usual fonts and graphics. A head-up display is also available , and while it's still uncertain, virtual rearview mirrors may be added later.
In the center of the dashboard, there's a series of large, well-spaced touch-sensitive buttons for accessing the main menus of the multimedia system . Best of all, it also has physical controls for the main climate control functions.
There is no shortage of spaces of different sizes to store objects, a multitude of sockets to plug in phones or other devices and, of course, a wireless charging surface.
Furthermore, the design is very elegant and well-organized , making it quick to adapt to the main functions. Incidentally, the gear selector has been moved to the steering wheel area to clear the central space and free up room. Speaking of the steering wheel, it has four horizontal spokes, and at the bottom, there are a couple of buttons for changing the driving modes.
With seven real seats and a surprising level of quality
The Kia EV9 has three rows of seats and can be configured as a 6- or 7-seater . In the six-seater versions, the second row features two independent, high-quality seats that are fully electrically adjustable and exceptionally comfortable.
This large electric SUV exudes quality , far exceeding what the pictures might suggest. Virtually all the materials are pleasant to the touch , with particular attention paid to key areas where many manufacturers cut corners, such as the headliner and front sun visors, which are a delight to run your hand over. The seats, headrests, and main door trim are also very comfortable.
Very few three-row SUVs offer enough space for adults to comfortably occupy all seats. That's not the case with the Kia EV9, as even in the third row you can travel comfortably without feeling cramped . Here you can travel in comfort, although obviously not with the same advantages as in the other two rows of seats.
Speaking of spaciousness, the trunk offers 333 liters of capacity with all seats in use. Folding down the third row increases this to 828 liters , a huge volume, while with only the two front seats upright it rises to almost 2.400 liters, which is quite impressive.
Kia EV9: electric, with two motors and 384 HP for ranges greater than 500 kilometers
In terms of mechanics, the Kia EV9 is built on the E-GMP modular platform , the same one used for the Kia EV6. It features new, fourth-generation batteries with greater energy density. These lithium-ion batteries have 38 modules, 456 cells, and weigh 566,5 kg.
Its capacity is 99,8 kWh and it accepts 800 volts . With the fastest charging (at 240 kW), it can go from 10% to 80% charge in just 24 minutes . In total, the range in mixed use is 505 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle.
The combined maximum power output is 384 hp and the torque reaches 700 Nm . This power is achieved thanks to two electric motors. Both develop 192 hp and 350 Nm of torque, with the front motor automatically decoupling under low-demand conditions to improve efficiency.
Behind the wheel of the Kia EV9 GT Line
The Kia EV9 is only sold in Spain with this powertrain, although 4x2 versions are available in other markets. In terms of performance, this large electric SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,3 seconds and reach a top speed of 200 km/h . These are truly impressive figures for a vehicle with up to 7 seats and a weight of around 2,6 tons.
Behind the wheel, you realize it's a very large car , which will make maneuvering in narrow streets and parking lots more difficult, although the camera and sensor system is a great help in guiding you. I think a rear-wheel steering system would be a welcome addition to improve agility in these situations.
In any case, in the most common driving modes, the car's response and handling are smooth and easy . It doesn't have that abrupt acceleration found in other electric models, which is a welcome change.
If we take it out on winding roads, we notice that we're driving a tall and heavy car . It's true that the center of gravity isn't very high because the batteries are located low down, but the body roll and pitching are noticeable when driving at a moderate pace. In any case, I don't think anyone buys a Kia EV9 for sporty driving.
On the other hand, it's here and on the highways where we appreciate the car's fantastic sound insulation . It uses specific noise-reducing tires, laminated windows, and a good number of extra insulating pieces in sensitive areas to prevent external noise from filtering into the cabin.
In addition to the above, the seats greatly contribute to a relaxed and comfortable journey for both the driver and passengers , offering a level of comfort that was hard to imagine in a Kia model just a few years ago. In that respect, it has certainly surprised us.
Needless to say, it has a long list of active safety systems and driving assistance features such as blind spot assist, rear, side and front collision prevention, rear cross traffic alert, safe exit assist, speed limit recognition, fatigue detection, adaptive high beams, automatic emergency braking and frontal collision prevention at intersections.
Kia EV9 Prices
The Kia EV9 isn't a car for everyone's budget, but honestly, considering all the technology it incorporates, its large battery, the level of quality in every sense, and the level of equipment it comes with, the €85.100 for the 7-seater version and the €86.200 for the 6-seater version in the brand's configurator don't seem excessive to me.
In case you're wondering, the EV9 will only be available as an electric car . Honestly, I think a good, large-displacement diesel engine wouldn't hurt this huge SUV either, allowing for worry-free travel without having to constantly worry about recharging…
