2023 Kia EV9 new car review

The booming car maker is rapidly expanding its line-up of electric cars in Australia and no other brand has built one to match Kia’s latest.

Meet the (very) big EV for large families, albeit well-heeled ones.

When it arrives late in 2023 the Kia EV9 will be one of the largest electric vehicles on the market and the only one with seating for seven.

There’s also a bulging array of tech and a slick all-electric drivetrain. But it won’t be cheap, with prices expected to start around $100,000 for the most affordable of a three-tiered range. The most expensive dual-motor GT-Line is likely to cost more like $130,000.

This is the most expensive Kia sold to date.

The EV9 borrows the familiar 800-Volt EV underpinnings from the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. But there’s a boldly styled body with hints of Land Rover and dimensions more akin to a Toyota LandCruiser or Nissan Patrol. Not that the EV9 is designed to go off-road. There’s very much a suburban focus, lobbing it in the crosshairs of the upcoming Mazda CX-90 and even luxury models such as the Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90.

A flat floor and broad cabin provide acres of space, even in the third row. Air vents in the roof keep fresh air flowing and USB-C ports throughout should keep the tribe content. A long centre console has an open storage binnacle at ground level, while those in the rear can slide items in from behind.

It is the largest electric car on the market with seating for seven.

Press the start button on the stalk that also doubles as a gear selector and the Kia logo on the steering wheel illuminates.

A wood-like strip across the dash incorporates touch pads that let out a gentle kick when pressed.

Combined with ambient lighting behind the semi-floating dash it’s indicative of the attention to detail in the EV9. That extends to materials, too. As well as modern materials made from corn and sugar cane there is also faux leather as part of a broad sustainability push.

There are plenty of hi-tech features.

There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch central touchscreen. Separating the two is another 5.0-inch display to control air flow in the cabin. All can be updated via over-the-air software updates as part of the Kia Connect system. There’s also fingerprint recognition and a digital key, which allows a phone to be used to operate the car. Plus the EV9 has a standard power point in the boot to power household devices.

The EV9 is available with a single-motor, rear-wheel drive configuration and a dual-motor all-wheel drive. Both are slated to come to Australia late this year.

A huge battery gives the big rig a decent driving range.

Single-motor models make 160kW and 350Nm for a 0-100km/h time of 8.2 seconds. The claimed range of the 76.1kWh battery is 418km and a 15-minute fast charge at up to 230kW adds about 239km of range.

Dual-motor variants come with a larger 99.8kWh battery good for 497km of range (expect closer to 470km with the larger tyres it’s likely to be fitted with). The two electric motors combine to make 283kW and 600Nm, although an optional Boost mode bumps that torque peak to 700Nm. That in turn lowers the 0-100km/h claim from 6.0 seconds to 5.2 seconds. It’s that more potent version we tried in Korea recently.

The dual motors provide plenty of shove.

There’s no shortage of thrust, the two motors easily shifting upwards of 2.6 tonnes of EV. The Sport drive mode makes the throttle sharper; Normal is more relaxed. Those wanting to venture beyond the bitumen can choose Snow, Mud or Sand modes, although with no spare tyre you’d want to be cautious.

Paddles on the steering wheel adjust the regenerative braking from mild to more aggressive.

Cruising on a freeway is impressively hushed while the ride is cushy but controlled. Only on sharp edges do the low-profile 21-inch tyres of our test car jiggle. EV9s arriving here will have a local suspension tune, which could better prepare the big SUV for road uglies.

Kia will do a local suspension tune for the EV9 in Australia.

There’s no hiding the heft once you aim it at tighter bends. But prodigious grip and a sure-footed demeanour ensure it scampers around confidently, leveraging its inherent dynamic talent. Yet it feels more at home settling into a cruise on open roads. The challenge for the EV9 could be its price, which is well into luxury territory but with a mainstream badge. Then again, it has the substance to justify the ask and is helped by industry-wide price rises.

Those prepared to look beyond the badge will be rewarded with an SUV with driving depth, a classy and functional cabin and useful tech.

The cabin has plenty of practical touches.

KIA EV9 GT-LINE

Price: About $130,000, plus on-roads

Power: Dual electric motors, 283kW/700Nm

Warranty/servicing: 7 yrs/unlimited km, TBA

Safety: 9 airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, 360-degree camera, driver monitor, safe exit assist, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, speed sign recognition, rear occupant detection

Range: About 470km

Spare: Repair kit

Boot: 571L

Originally published as 2023 Kia EV9 new car review