We spent a week and 600 miles with the newly launched Kia EV9, including a 70-mph highway loop, urban commuting, and a family road trip, to see if this three-row electric SUV can genuinely replace a gas-powered family hauler.
Our test car was a GT-Line e-AWD with the larger battery (approximately 99.8 kWh gross), dual motors rated at 379 hp and 516 lb-ft, and 21-inch wheels on all-season tires. EPA range is 270 miles for this trim (up to 304 miles for the Long Range RWD). Pricing spans roughly mid-$50Ks to low-$70Ks depending on trim and options. Test conditions covered 48 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, light rain on one day, and a full load of three passengers plus weekend luggage.
We ran repeated acceleration and braking tests on a closed airstrip, a 70-mph consumption loop, and several hours of stop-and-go city driving. Tire pressures were set to factory spec and checked warm. Performance is stout for a 3-row: we recorded 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds with a slight rollout and consistent launches. The EV9’s brake pedal blends regeneration and friction smoothly, and our 60 to 0 mph stops averaged 126 feet with minimal fade over five back-to-back runs.
Steering is light but precise off-center, and while body roll is present, it is well controlled for a 6,000-plus-pound SUV. Noise suppression is excellent; we measured 68 dBA at a steady 70 mph on smooth asphalt. Efficiency landed where expected for the class. On our 70-mph highway loop, the EV9 GT-Line returned 2.4 mi/kWh, projecting around 240 miles of real-world highway range.
Mixed driving, including suburban errands, improved to 2.7 mi/kWh. On a 350-kW DC fast charger with battery preconditioning enabled via the native navigation, we saw a 10 to 80 percent session in 26 minutes, peaking at 232 kW and holding over 200 kW through much of the mid-curve. The 11-kW onboard AC charger refilled from 10 to 100 percent in 9.5 hours on a 48-amp home circuit. Usability is where the EV9 shines.
The second row (ours had captain’s chairs) offers generous leg room and easy third-row access; adults fit in the way-back for short stints, children for long ones. Cargo space is ample, and the load floor sits low and flat with rows folded. The cabin’s dual 12.3-inch displays are crisp, and the separate climate panel reduces menu-diving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto worked reliably, the 14-speaker Meridian audio is clean at highway volume, and there are plenty of USB-C ports plus vehicle-to-load functionality up to 1.9 kW for camping or tailgating.
Highway Driving Assist 2 provided confident lane centering and adaptive cruise, with brief ping-ponging in sharper freeway bends. Light gravel and rutted access roads posed no issue thanks to generous wheel travel and calibrated traction control, though ground clearance and street-biased tires limit true off-road ambitions. Towing is rated up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped; our brief tow with a 3,000-pound trailer felt stable, but expect a significant range hit. Ride quality is generally supple, only getting choppy over consecutive sharp impacts on 21-inch wheels.
Overall, the EV9 is a convincing gas-SUV replacement if you have home charging. Families prioritizing range should consider the Long Range RWD on smaller wheels; those in snowbelt regions or towing will appreciate e-AWD. Against pricier rivals like the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X, the Kia trades ultimate performance for value, space, and an excellent warranty. It is the new benchmark for mainstream three-row EVs.