2024 Kia EV9: First Impressions | The Every day Drive

August 23, 2024

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Not fairly mainstream, however very household pleasant.

Front 3/4, Ocean Blue — 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line

I’m undecided there’s sufficient pleasure surrounding the launch of Kia’s latest electrical automobile, the EV9. Not solely is it very, superb, it’s, extra importantly, the primary non-premium-brand 3-row electrical crossover retailed within the U.S., and it is a wonderful 3-row crossover.

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2024 Kia EV9 First Impressions

Whereas a full Shopper Information assessment of the EV9 is forthcoming, I used to be in a position to spend a while behind the wheel of the EV9 this week within the firm of Inexperienced Sense Present host Robert Colangelo. Listed here are just a few of my ideas relating to this cutting-edge, household pleasant, EV.

Assume Electrical Telluride

At 197 inches in total size, the EV9 is precisely the identical size because the model’s Telluride midsize 3-row crossover. And, it most methods, it serves up the identical room, consolation and area. There’s loads of grownup area within the entrance two seating rows, and the three^rd-row will accommodate most children with ease, and even keen and pliable high-school-sized passengers.

One subject is the cargo load ground, which sits considerably increased off the bottom than does the ground within the Telluride. The raised ground peak is critical to accommodate the rear motor meeting, which may be seen within the EV9 cutaway under.

Promising Vary

On a nice summer time day right here in Chicago, the EV9 was displaying near 300 miles of vary on a 90% cost, that is effectively in extra of the crossover’s EPA estimated 270 miles of vary. Credit score the good climate, Robert’s informal driving model (perhaps?), and, maybe, the EPA for being a little bit conservative in its estimates. Regardless, as a 3-row crossover, the EV9 can be known as on for long-distance road-trip responsibility, and it’s good to realize it ought to return strong distance numbers.

Dynamically Satisfying

The twin-motor (AWD) EV9 GT-Line we hung out with was each quick and sharp dealing with. With 379 horsepower on faucet the EV9 strikes out neatly, and like most EVs, serves up rapid energy. Likewise, the brakes are positive and clean, and keep away from the inconsistent pedal response typically present in hybrid and EV autos. (Hybrid and electrical autos make use of regenerative braking techniques designed to recapture power in any other case wasted throughout braking. These techniques can prolong the electrical vary of mentioned autos.)

The Experience is Simply OK

Like the superb Cadillac Lyriq EV crossover, the EV9 rides effectively, but it surely doesn’t journey very effectively. Experience high quality is a trademark of family-oriented crossovers, and like so many electrical autos, the EV9 doesn’t fairly ship the highway isolation that non-electric crossovers do.

The difficulty is probably going heft. The EV9, geared up with the bigger 100-kWh battery as our check automobile was (entry EV9s make use of at 76-kWh unit) weight in at a staggering 5800 kilos, greater than half a ton greater than the gasoline-powered telluride. Whereas the EV9 rides effectively on good-condition highway surfaces, bigger ruts and bumps can induced extra physique movement than could appear regular, comply with by some harshness because the automobile physique settles down after the affect.

To be clear, the EV9 rides simply positive, however the model’s personal Telluride serves up a extra comfy rough-road expertise.

Luxurious Cash

The GT-Line, which incorporates the aforementioned long-range battery and AWD, comes it fairly costly. All informed, together with the extra-cost GT-Line 2^nd Row Leisure Bundle ($2000), our check EV9 clocked in at simply over $78,000. To us, that’s luxury-car cash. Now, to be honest, premium-brand luxurious crossovers can are available a lot increased, and the EV9 may be had extra affordably.

The Wind AWD is the least-expensive EV9 to incorporate each the long-range battery and AWD. With out choices, the EV9 Wind AWD is available in just below $66,000, or not a lot increased than a totally loaded Telluride.

Relative to the topline Telluride SX Status, the Wind would surrender some facilities, however its extra accessible entry level could also be a draw to households genuinely fascinating in going electrical.

Ultimate Ideas

The EV9 isn’t any discount, however it’s a succesful and rewarding-to-drive massive crossover with loads of family-friendly options that, other than worth, asks little in alternate for its energy and carbon-free driving expertise.

We’re very impressed by the EV9, and look ahead to the lineup increasing downward in worth, rising entry for green-minded households searching for a strong bring-the-whole-clan journey.