Kia EV9 review: seven-seater is impressive, but expensive

This maker has built a formidable following for its value-for-money small cars and SUVs. But its latest effort is a big departure from that formula.

The Kia EV9 GT-Line is packed with features, but pricey. Picture: Supplied.

Kia’s third electric vehicle is its most ambitious yet. The EV9 comes with seven seats and an eye-watering price tag.

Here are five things you should know about the EV9.

The Kia EV9 GT-Line wears a luxury car price tag. Picture: Supplied.

It’s not cheap

The EV9 is by far the most expensive Kia sold and in GT-Line trim tested here costs about $140,000 drive-away. There’s a heap of gear for the money, including heated and ventilated front seats, dual sunroofs, matrix LED headlights, wireless phone charging, head-up display, alloy pedals, heated middle-row outer seats and optional matt blue paint. But it still leaves the EV9 out of reach of many traditional Kia buyers – and competing against luxury fare with fancier badges on the bonnet.

The interior is dominated by big twin screens. Picture: Supplied.

There are acres of space inside

The EV9 is a large SUV about the size of a Toyota LandCruiser but it packs more usable space into its seven-seat cabin. The dash is broad and the vast centre console has useful hidey holes, including a bag-swallowing bin on the floor. Those in the rear are treated to a decent dose of luxury, too, including separate AC controls with roof-mounted vents. There are also blinds in the back windows, four USB-C ports and a furry roof lining. The middle row has acres of head- and legroom and a deep cavity in the back of the centre console, although it’s a long reach to access. Accessing the third row is a snip. A push of a button tilts the seat and slides its base.

The boxy shape liberates plenty of room for passengers. Picture: Supplied.

There’s no shortage of tech

Two-tone leather, dark finishes and adjustable ambient lighting creates a classy cabin, albeit one that lacks the tactile qualities of luxury brands. It’s dominated by twin 12.3-inch screens as well as a smaller screen dedicated to ventilation controls. It’s partially obscured by the steering wheel but is backed up by fixed buttons for commonly adjusted features such as fan speed and temperature.

You need to plug in to activate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, something that makes the wireless charging pad less useful.

Illuminated touchpads integrated into the dash panel look classy but can be illegible in bright sunlight. Similarly, cameras in lieu of side mirrors have the wow factor but you can’t widen the field of vision by adjusting your head and they’re not as intuitive when parking. At least they provide a raindrop-free view in wet weather.

The EV9 is loaded with tech. Picture: Supplied.

It’s brisk

The EV9 GT-Line weighs more than 2.5 tonnes but you wouldn’t know it when you press the throttle. A generous 282kW and 700Nm means you’ll zip to 100km/h in as little as 5.3 seconds. It’s easily accessible, too, with an addictive rush when you press the pedal. The Sport drive mode is a tad sensitive, though, calling for a gentle right foot. It’s a shame the speed warning beeps every time you stray 1km/h over the limit. You can turn it off but it reverts to on every time you start the car. Elsewhere, the driving experience is impressive. Sticky 21-inch tyres provide mountains of cornering grip and there’s enough bump absorption for everyday comfort. Despite the dynamic talent the EV9 is impressively quiet and serene.

The EV9 is impressive to drive. Picture: Supplied.

It’s got a big battery

The driving range of the GT-Line is claimed ato be 505km but we regularly had the trip computer suggesting we’d get more like 550km from the sizeable 99.8kWh battery. The reality was closer to 460km, and less on a freeway. An 800V electrical system means you can charge from 10 to 80 per cent (300-plus kilometres of driving) in as little as 24 minutes. A more common 7.4kW home wallbox takes more like 14 hours for a full charge.