The Kia EV9 Does What Tesla And Rivian Couldn’t

Is Kia's three-row-electric vehicle the decisive factor to secure first place?

The past year's electric vehicle market fluctuations have demonstrated that American consumers are no longer willing to make significant sacrifices to purchase an electric car. Instead, if they encounter vehicles with limited ranges, suboptimal sizes, or unaffordable prices, they are increasingly likely to opt for a hybrid or a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle.

The era of affluent tech enthusiasts queuing up to purchase lavish electric products appears to be a relic of the past.

This three-row wagon has helped to attract a significant number of new customers to the electric vehicle market.

Do you catch that? It smells unmistakably of a major discovery.

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Staff Writer.

There wasn't a widely available, value-for-money solution for people who adore their Kia Telluride or Toyota Highlander and crave similar models. However, this is exactly where the EV9 shines with its groundbreaking innovation: It's the first mass-market electric SUV with three rows, tapping into a super popular vehicle category in a way its predecessors failed to achieve.

Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs

The Kia EV9 doesn't sacrifice interior space for its electric propulsion, allowing adults to comfortably occupy all three rows while also accommodating a generous amount of luggage.

The initiative is designed to overcome a major hurdle that has so far hindered the mass adoption of electric vehicles. Without a wide range of models available, buyers are unwilling to consider concerns surrounding charging infrastructure, vehicle range, and the overall cost of ownership.

Electric three-row SUVs have received inadequate attention.

Photo by: Tim Levin/InsideEVs

Kia filled the gap with the 2024 EV9, priced at $56,395, which is available in configurations accommodating six or seven passengers. Although the price may seem steep, the EV9's introduction significantly reduced the entry price for a three-row electric vehicle by approximately $20,000. Notably, you receive a considerable amount of value for the money, given the EV9's distinctive design, advanced features, excellent range, and exceptional charging speeds, making it an attractive option compared to both gasoline and electric competitors.

A three-row SUV, regardless of type, the current mainstream leader in terms of design and tech features is the Kia EV9," notes InsideEVs Deputy Editor Mack Hogan. "Its electric powertrain is a notable added benefit.

Photo by: Patrick George

Patrick George agrees that this is the first 3-row family crossover that is not boring to drive.

The Electrified Vehicle Nine (EV9) boasts exceptional charging capabilities, with extended-range models capable of regaining 90% of their battery capacity in just 24 minutes, as stated by the manufacturer Kia. During my testing, charging my test vehicle from 18% to 80% took approximately 22 minutes, using the most powerful charging speed of 216 kilowatts and substantiating the claims made by the automaker.

We found the EV9 to ride smoothly and quietly, with minimal issues. InsideEVs Editor-in-Chief Patrick George stated that it excelled as the best-driving large SUV he's tested, regardless of its power source.

“The truth about three-row crossovers is that although Americans adore them, they are actually quite tedious to drive,” he mentioned. “The sole exception to this trend is the Kia EV9.”

Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs

There were a few persistent issues worth noting. The touchscreen climate-control panel is visually appealing, yet it's fully obscured by the steering wheel. Our baseline model only managed to achieve an EPA-estimated 230 miles of range, which is somewhat less than we were hoping for. However, these minor concerns did not lead us to exclude the EV9 from our Breakthrough EV of the Year competition.

This phone regularly lacks user interface features and options. The dropdown menu sends pop up ads, disrupting the workflow. Several other features such as Status bar ad pop up, additional requirements of deleting Google accounts and options being segregated between two different spaces but not accessible side by side in Featured section.

Although the EV9 marks a significant improvement for a pivotal market category, its price is difficult to ignore in comparison to its gas-powered counterparts. A Telluride can start at $37,585, with the destination fee included. This is approximately $20,000 lower than the least expensive EV9, disregarding the exceptionally attractive leasing offers currently available due to the federal EV tax credit "leasing loophole."

Essential features create an even greater price difference. Installing the extended range battery pack boosts the SUV's mileage to 304 miles and increases the price to just over $60,000. Furthermore, adding an extra motor for all-wheel drive capability comes at an additional cost of over $65,000. For instance, the top-of-the-line GT-Line model I reviewed, with all the available features, exceeded $80,000.

Photo by: Kevin Williams/InsideEVs

The EV9's price is equivalent to that of the Chevy Tahoe, although we would still opt for the Kia. However, numerous alternative three-row crossovers are available at a significantly lower cost.

The EV9 is an excellent choice for various reasons, but several hybrids and gas-powered SUVs can perform equally well at a significantly lower cost. Our top pick's advantages were visibly apparent.

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Kia EV9 Specs
Base Price $56,395
EV Range 230-304 miles
Drive Type RWD or AWD
Output 215 - 379 hp
Maximum torque 258 - 516 lb-ft
Cargo Volume This compartment has a total volume of 20.2 cubic feet when all its seats are in a sitting positions.

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