Review: Kia EV9
Kia EV9 Review
Kia has transformed to become one of the go-to makers of electric vehicles here in the UK. Cars like the Niro and EV6 have shown that this Korean brand can make good-looking and well-specified EVs which deliver a whole lot of range for the money.
This car - the EV9 - arrives as Kia’s new ‘halo’ model, topping the firm’s line-up of vehicles to bring a more upmarket look and feel set to challenge more premium manufacturers at their own game. We’ve been driving it to find out what it’s like.
What’s new?
Much like the EV6, the EV9 is built around an EV-specific platform, rather than adapted from an existing petrol or diesel setup. The benefit of this is that Kia has more scope to make the interior as practical as possible, without having to work around transmissions or the usual trappings of a petrol or diesel engine.
The EV9 is also a car of firsts. The 99.8kWh battery it uses, for instance, is the largest of any production EV made so far. It does, however, contribute to quite a hefty weight, with the EV9 clocking in at a chunky 2.9 tonnes overall.
What’s under the bonnet?
You’re able to get the EV9 in two different setups, though both use the same massive battery. A rear-wheel-drive version is the entry point to the line-up and it’s here that you’ll get the car’s headline range of 349 miles.
However we’re trying it in all singing, all dancing top-spec guise, with an all-wheel-drive setup delivering 378bhp and 700Nm of torque. It allows the EV9 to go from 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 124mph. You still get a good range, too, at 313 miles, while 800-volt charging infrastructure means that if you find a quick enough charger the EV9 could go from 10 to 80 per cent in just 24 minutes.
What’s the Kia EV9 like to drive?
At more than five metres long, the EV9 is a very large car and is similar in size to a full-fat Range Rover. As a result, its sheer height will make trips to the multi-storey car park a tricky task, while around-town driving probably won’t be the easiest.
However, the EV9 is actually more nimble than you might expect while both wind and road noise are impressively well suppressed, helping to create an air of calm inside the cabin. The only fly in the ointment is a slightly fidgety low-speed ride, which isn’t helped by the large 21-inch alloy wheels on our test car.
How does it look?
The EV9 has arrived with an exterior design that few people will be able to miss. Of course, there’s the sheer size of the thing, but then there are some of the more intricate details such as the ultra-sharp headlights and massively cut-out rear glass section.
Overall, it’s quite a boxy design which incorporates some classic ‘large SUV’ design cues. The black plastic wheelarch extensions play into this ‘go anywhere’ aesthetic and when combined with the car’s large dimensions make this a car that really does turn heads.
What’s it like inside?
Kia has been on a hot streak with its interiors and the EV9’s cabin is an extension of this. You’ve got a great combination of physical and digital controls while it’s all tied together with good materials and robust build quality. As a family car, it ticks the boxes throughout.
Seven seats come as standard, but unlike other seven-seaters, all of the chairs in the EV9 are suitable for adults - there will be no arguments about who sits where. You can also choose to have the EV9 with six seats, with the middle chairs able to swivel around conference-style to face the rear passengers.
What’s the spec like?
There are three trims on offer with the EV9, though even entry-level ‘Air’ versions - only available on rear-wheel-drive models - bring all the equipment you could really want. Highlights include three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats and a 360-degree parking camera.
Middle-grade GT-Line - available on the more powerful all-wheel-drive setups - adds 21-inch alloy wheels, electrically adjustable steering column and more dynamic looks outside, while range-toping GT-S includes a premium 14-speaker Meridian sound system and two sunroofs.
Verdict
Kia aimed to make the EV9 its halo car and we’d say it has been successful in this endeavour. It’s not much of a surprise how accomplished this car is given Kia’s other electric vehicles, but it’s impressive all the same to see just how good the EV9 is.
With its premium interior, standout looks and plentiful equipment, the EV9 is a car which should make the German rivals sit up and notice.
