Kia has unveiled its new EV9 all-electric SUV, positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the premium electric SUV market. The EV9 is Kia’s largest and most luxurious electric vehicle to date, offering a combination of design appeal, space, versatility, usability, and relative value. It aims to undercut rivals such as the Tesla Model X and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, while outperforming the Audi Q8 E-tron and BMW iX in terms of space and usefulness.
Design and Styling:
The EV9 features a bold and distinctive design, embracing Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy. It has a long wheelbase, big wheels, a swollen floorpan, and an upwardly displaced roofline, giving it a substantial yet fresh and unusual appearance. The car’s design exudes visual presence without being overly aggressive or visually challenging. It is built on Kia’s E-GMP electric car platform and weighs 2.6 tonnes, making it slightly heavier than its rivals.
Interior:
The EV9 offers a spacious and versatile interior, catering to the needs of larger families. It comes in both seven-seat and six-seat configurations, with the top-spec GT-Line S model offering captain’s chairs in the second row. The rear seats are large enough for smaller adults and growing kids to travel comfortably. The boot is also generous in size, although the loading space is slightly shallow in five-seat mode. However, the interior material quality falls slightly short of the luxury standard expected from a £75,000 car.
Technology:
The EV9 comes with twin 12.3-inch infotainment and instrument displays, wired smartphone connections, USB-C charging ports, and a driver’s head-up display in the GT-Line S model. The navigation system is easy to use, although voice recognition address input may be less accurate than in premium cars. The EV9 also offers wireless smartphone mirroring via a software update.
Engines and Performance:
The EV9 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The rear-wheel-drive version has a sedate and progressive power delivery, while the all-wheel-drive version offers assured power delivery and impressive acceleration. The car comes with everyday-use on-road drive modes, with the GT-Line and GT-Line S models gaining extra terrain modes for mud, sand, and snow. The EV9’s powertrain tuning is commendable, but its driver aids may cause frustration.
Ride and Handling:
The EV9 handles predictably and offers good steering response. It lacks four-wheel steering, making it less maneuverable at low speeds. The twin-motor version has better body control through the bends and feels authoritative in motorway and overtaking performance. However, the ride can become unsettled over sharper inputs, and the EV9’s suspension struggles to maintain good body control at speed on choppy surfaces.
MPG and Running Costs:
The EV9 offers good real-world efficiency, with the entry-level Air version providing the longest official range of 349 miles. The car is more efficient than its rivals, achieving an average of 2.8mpkWh on a 40-mile test route. It can be fast-charged at up to 210kW, with the GT-Line S model logging an impressive 170kW weighted average on a DC rapid-charging test.
Overall, the Kia EV9 presents a compelling option for those in the market for a premium electric SUV. It offers a unique combination of design appeal, spaciousness, versatility, performance, efficiency, and relative value. While it may lack some luxury cabin appeal compared to its European rivals, the EV9 makes up for it with its overall package and competitive pricing. Kia has positioned itself as a serious player in the electric vehicle market with the EV9, and it is likely to attract a wide range of customers looking for a desirable and practical electric SUV.
