Family embracing electric power in Kia EV9 Air review

The Kia EV9 Air is a seven-seat SUV all-electric offering which shows how good the future could be.

The Kia EV9 Air is the base model within the seven-seat all-electric SUV line-up, and starts from about $100,000 drive-away.

Back in the 1980s and ’90s, yoyos went through fad surges.

The toys had people obsessed with walking the dog, rocking the baby and going around the world.

Electric vehicles are being accused of the same thing currently – early adopters have jumped, there are now surplus vehicles leading to price drops, and in the second-hand market they’re worthless.

Naysayers are rejoicing.

But then, think back to when Henry Ford was reflecting on producing the Model T: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.”

Those thoughts were front of mind after a family test in the Kia EV9.

The seven-seat SUV is an attention-grabber. And an award-winner the world over. It also costs more than $100k. Yet most importantly, it’s good, and an example of how impressive the future of motoring could be once proper charging infrastructure is implemented.

The Kia EV9 Air has dual 12.3-inch displays (one for the driver) and a 5.0-inch screen for the climate control.

What do you get?

Positioned as the base model, Air variants are not bereft of equipment – as you’d rightfully expect for the six-figure asking price.

The cabin maintains an up-market feel with tri-zone airconditioning, wireless phone charging, a powered tailgate, power adjustable front seats, which also have heating and ventilation, while the dash captures attention with dual 12.3-inch displays (one for the driver) and a 5.0-inch screen for the climate control.

Download an EV9 app and it can be used to lock and unlock the SUV, set or schedule your climate control in preparation to getting inside, various diagnostics, as well as a valet mode where the user can monitor the location, driving time, distance and top speed – as well as geo-fence alerts if a younger driver travels further than they should. It can also undertake over-the-air updates from Kia for infotainment improvements and even vehicle settings.

Red is the only external colour which doesn’t attract a premium – white, metal, black, grey and green all add $990.

All Kias have one of the best warranties around at seven years and unlimited kilometres. The key difference from Kia’s combustion engine cars is the high voltage components like the battery, charger and motor have a limited cover of 150,000km.

Pre-pay the servicing plan and it’s less than $2000 for seven years – that’s pretty reasonable at an average cost of about $285.

The Kia EV9 Air is the base model within the seven-seat all-electric SUV line-up, and starts from about $100,000 drive-away.

How was the drive?

Big (just over 5m) and heavy (it tips the scales at 2312kg). Yet the EV9 has no business performing the way it does.

Brisk acceleration and easy to steer, it doesn’t feel cumbersome like the specifications dictate.

Only available in rear-wheel drive, the Air specification is the slowest of all EV9s. The sprint time from standstill to 100km/h is 8.2 seconds, compared to 6.0 in the dual motor variants (5.3 seconds in the GT models with boost mode).

Around town and on the highway the EV9 offers refinement and luxury. Cruising is undertaken effortlessly.

Quick directional changes expose the size and weight with body roll, although the underfloor battery helps keep things tied down.

The turning circle of 12.4m is not horrible given the dimensions, but that is bigger than a 300 Series LandCruiser.

A genuine seven-seater, the rearmost pair can handle kids, teens or even smaller adults. Three adults can fit across the middle row, and there is capacity for five child seats and there are four Isofix anchor points.

One footy game trip saw a handful of teens appreciate the nine cupholders and six USB-C ports.

The EV9 can be charged at up to 230kW, so locate one of the faster chargers and it can rip from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes. Most owners will install a 7.4kW wallbox at home which takes about 11 hours, as the standard 10-amp power point would take about 37 hours.

Internal space in the Kia EV9 Air is impressive.

Would you buy one?

KEL: Throughout our test the EV9 attracted a lot of attention. Most people love the design, and I agree. Given the lack of seven-seat electric SUVs available, it’s really in a class of its own. For those wanting an EV with seven genuine seats, not just the occasional use versions in the third row like a lot of SUVs, I think it’s a no-brainer, if you have the money.

GRANT: Having previously driven the range-topping and most expensive GT-Line version, the Air didn’t feel low rent. We filled the seats for a highway trip and there was still enough boot space for bags and gear. It remains a big investment, but it’s a lot of car for the asking price.

Originally published as Family embracing electric power in Kia EV9 Air review