Is the 2024 Kia EV9 a Good Electric SUV? 5 Pros, 3 Cons

The new-for-2024 Kia EV9 is the first mainstream electric SUV aimed at growing families in need of three rows of seating but wanting an EV with a bold, modern look. It’s also the latest from Kia’s growing lineup of electric sedans and SUVs, demonstrating the South Korean brand’s commitment to electric power across a wide variety of vehicle types and sizes.

Related: 2024 Kia EV9 Review: The First, Best and Only Semi-Affordable 3-Row Electric SUV

Before the EV9’s launch, environmentally focused families and anyone else looking for an electric vehicle with seating for more than five could only choose from luxury models like the Mercedes-EQ EQS, Rivian R1S or Tesla Model X. The EV9 delivers on that score, with seating for up to seven occupants but at a more budget-friendly price.

Roughly the same size and shape as the gas-powered Kia Telluride, the EV9 delivers similar occupant and cargo room and offers lots of standard features and user-friendly tech. But as Cars.com Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman learned while testing Kia’s latest EV in the top GT-Line trim, not all is perfect. Tap the link above to read Bragman’s expert review; for a quicker look, below are five things we like about the 2024 Kia EV9 and three things we don’t.

Things We Like

1. Plenty of Choices

Kia offers the EV9 in a variety of trims and configurations. The base EV9 Light uses a single electric motor, a 76.1-kilowatt-hour battery and rear-wheel drive; it’s good for 230 miles of range. The Light Long Range trim gets a larger 99.8-kWh battery and 304 miles of range. Upper trims include the Wind, Land and GT-Line, all with the larger battery and a dual-motor system for AWD and up to 280 miles of range.

2. Quick Charger

All EV9 trims share the same 800-volt architecture, enabling DC fast charging at speeds up to 235 kilowatts. What that means in the real world is that if conditions are right and the SUV is connected to a high-speed charger that’s up to snuff, an EV9 should be able to go from a 10% to 80% charge in less than 25 minutes.

3. Roomy Cabin

Like the similarly sized Telluride, the EV9’s boxy shape pays dividends in interior room. The two look similar, but the EV9’s 7.8-inch-longer wheelbase results in an even more spacious cabin than the Telluride’s, particularly for second- and third-row passengers. Buyers can choose from captain’s chairs or a bench seat for the second row, but there’s not a bad place to sit in the EV9 either way. Standard features include heated and cooled front seats with a massage feature for the driver.

4. Interior Design

The EV9’s interior design is stylish, modern and well put together using sustainably sourced or recycled materials. An almost 30-inch panoramic display dominates the dash and incorporates a 5-inch climate control screen, plus two 12.3-inch screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. Most touch controls are relatively straightforward to use, but we’re pleased to see that physical controls remain for some climate and audio functions. Other standard features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a wireless phone charger.

5. Comfortable Cruiser

Equipped with the largest and most powerful battery available in an EV9, our GT-Line trim test vehicle felt surprisingly agile given its hefty 5,800-plus-pound curb weight. The 99.8-kWh battery pack adds to the EV9’s substantial feel, but with it mounted low in the chassis, it also helps lower the center of gravity. Excellent steering feel helps build confidence while the EV9 hustles through turns on twisty back roads. Most bumps and road imperfections are soaked up pretty well, but the suspension can feel busy over rough pavement.

More From Cars.com:

• State of the EV: Lessons Learned Road-Tripping a 2024 Kia EV9
• Electric Cars With the Longest Range
• Is the 2024 Rivian R1S Worth Almost $30,000 More Than Our 2024 Kia EV9?
• How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2024 Kia EV9?
• We Bought a 2024 Kia EV9

Things We Don’t Like

1. Materials Quality

There’s nothing wrong with Kia’s decision to use recyclable and sustainable materials in the EV9’s cabin, particularly considering its environmentally focused audience. And while the look and feel of those materials is perfectly acceptable in lower trims, it can come across as cost cutting as you move up through the trim hierarchy. Something a little nicer in the more expensive variants would be more appropriate and in line with buyer expectations at this price range.

2. Climate Controls

Most of the EV9’s touchscreen controls are easy enough to use, with clear graphics and simple menus. However, the 5-inch climate control screen is an unfortunate exception, and it’s too much of a stretch for the front passenger to reach. Even then, about half of it is blocked from view by the thick steering wheel, making it hard even for the driver to use.

3. Pricey People Mover

Given its size and similarly upright overall appearance, it’s easy to draw comparisons between the EV9 and its conventionally powered Telluride counterpart. But where the family-friendly Telluride starts at just $37,585 (all prices include destination), the EV9 starts at $56,395; that rises to $78,000 for a fully loaded EV9 GT-Line like our test vehicle. That’s a hefty premium for going green even after applicable government subsidies.

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