The 2024 Kia EV9 is the three-row SUV you probably want because you've never seen anything like it. Entering a completely new segment, Kia is the first in the non-luxury three-row electric SUV segment. Yes, it's a stretch, but the more you experience the EV9 GT-Line, the more you realize how cool it is to drive.
The Telluride is cool too, but the EV9 tries to tap into that SUV territory as a trendy Kia with cachet. There's still room for both three-row SUVs in Kia's lineup as the EV9 is expected to start $20,000 above the base Telluride.
Pricing is just the beginning of the 2024 Kia EV9 story. Our 2024 EV9 GT-Line AWD test SUV met the high standards set by the Telluride in many ways while crushing it in 0-60 mph acceleration.
Are we there yet?
Everything used to be very simple. For example, Telluride offers one engine with FWD or AWD. With the electric EV9, there are some more relevant specifications. The 2024 EV9 is offered with RWD or AWD and in several different power levels. The base EV9 RWD model is rated at 215 hp from a single motor, while the long-range-only model combines a 201 hp motor setup with a larger, nearly 100 kWh battery. Kia estimates a driving range of 300 miles from this Light Long Range model, which is the longest model in the lineup.
Take an EV9 AWD like our GT-Line test SUV, and you'll get 379 hp and up to 516 lb-ft of torque. In other words, we timed the big Kia to hit 60 mph from a standstill in 4.5 seconds. That's 1.4 seconds quicker than the top-of-the-line Toyota Grand Highlander Max hybrid and 2.4 seconds quicker than the 2023 Kia Telluride.
Fast. But Is It Sporty?
Driving the EV9 GT-Line, it's clear that Kia isn't trying to build an electric SUV as sporty as the EV6 GT but with a third row of seating. While the EV9 GT may still be in development, for now, we have the EV9 GT-Line, whose response strikes a balance between sports and luxury cruisers. This is a great place. The quiet ride quality is a plus, although you will feel a fair amount of body roll. This, combined with the blocky styling visible from the driver's seat, provides a more relaxed and purposeful driving style.
Additionally, several MotorTrend editors found that the EV9 GT-Line's input encourages sportier responses on winding roads thanks to its direct steering and low center of gravity.
Regardless, for a vehicle that's about 850 pounds heavier than the Telluride, the EV9 GT-Line has good panic braking performance. From 60 to 0 mph, the EV9 covered 118 feet, which bested the Grand Highlander Max and Telluride's 123 feet in our testing. In the real world, the EV9 offers intuitive, easy-to-use one-pedal driving.
Whether you approach the EV9 GT-Line based on its hype or based on MotorTrend's as-tested numbers, there's a lot to like about the way it drives. And that's saying something considering that until Hyundai, Ford, and others entered the field, the EV9 was the only non-luxury option that was fully electric.
Pros and cons
Comfort is a big issue for three-row SUVs, and the range concerns some people feel with electric cars may be an issue here. Your normal driving habits will determine whether this is a problem. The range of the 2024 EV9 GT-Line is estimated at 243 miles. That's not great, but other EV9 AWD models can get up to 270 miles, which is… better.
Like all EVs, the advantage of the EV9 is that it saves you time in your weekly routine. Yes, the Telluride can go more than 100 additional miles on a full tank, but we've never heard of a Telluride owner refueling at home. With EV9, you'll never visit a gas station again unless the jackpot is too big to resist. A range of 243 miles in the best conditions would discourage long trips, but Kia tries to compensate with fast-charging capabilities. When you're away from the comfort of a home charger, the EV9 can charge 10 to 80 percent in 24 minutes with a public fast charger.
3 Line Functionality
As a functional three-row SUV, the EV9 easily gets a passing grade. The second-row captain's chairs are comfortable and—like almost all three-row SUVs—the third-row is less so. It's a good place to while away the time while patiently waiting for the (available) electrically operated second-row thrones to move out of the way so you can get out. We appreciate the one-touch functionality, but the cheaper EV9 might fold quicker.
In the back, cargo space doesn't look competitive, but it's in line with gas-powered competitors. The EV9 can hold 20.2 cubic feet of stuff behind the third-row seats, or 43.5 cubes when the third row is folded. On gas, the Telluride can swallow 21 cubic feet behind the third row and 46 cubic feet with the third row folded—and that's without the EV9's front trunk (or trunk).
The RWD (Light and Light Long Range) trim has a 3.2 cubic foot trunk while the AWD (Wind, Land, GT-Line) trim offers a slimmer 1.8 cubic feet.
However, never mind the front, the real showroom showstopper is the floating center console. From the second row, passengers can easily pull a handle from behind the front center console to reveal a small tray table and deep storage compartment beneath. Neat.
Two Gold Stars
With a mix of capacitive touch buttons and physical controls, the EV9 GT-Line delivers the best blend of futuristic and user-friendly design. However, we still wanted a different place for the start button than awkwardly hidden behind the steering wheel at the base of the gear stalk (think turn signal stalk but lower). Still, in this trim, the EV9 GT-Line does its best to justify what we expect to be a steep price for a mainstream branded three-row SUV before you consider its electric powertrain.
However, the EV9's electric underpinnings are the heart of the car.
This three-row SUV is faster, quieter, and more efficient than any large SUV you've ever driven. Because of its electric powertrain, it may also have the shortest range of any large SUV you're considering.
Kia Ev9 vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Comparison Test!
Which brings us back to the use case. There's no doubt that the EV9 is a great SUV and we'd love to spend more time with it. However, its range means the Kia may excel in your daily routine but not shine as brightly on family trips. Yes, of course, you can charge when your kids need a bathroom break ( why didn't you go when I asked 10 minutes ago? ). But as we've reported repeatedly, public charging networks are unreliable.
That's why it's good that this impressive Kia can rely on its other strengths like its driving manners and premium interior. Its higher price compared to a gas-powered three-row SUV will limit sales compared to the Telluride, but we suspect enough people interested in the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S will find what they need in the EV9. Kia gets two gold stars for the EV9: One for its looks and the second for its good performance.
2024 Kia EV9 GT Lineup Specifications
BASE PRICE $73,000 (MT estimate)
PRICE AS TESTED $75,000 (MT estimate)
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front and rear motorbike, AWD, 6-pass, 4-door SUV
