Is The Kia EV9 Worth The Hype? A Simple Overview
Kia EV9 will arrive in the Indian market on 3 October, 2024.
Kia EV9 E-GMP Platform and Specifications
The Kia EV9 is built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), shared across other Hyundai and Kia models, such as the popular Kia EV6.
Auto lane change assist
Kia EV9 pro-cons
🤙🏻 Pros
- Stylish design inside and out
- Excellent driving performance
- Fast charging support
- Relatively affordable
- Usable three rows of seating
🚫 Cons
- Can ride rough at times
- Price escalates quickly
- Wireless phone charging is finicky
There are, of course, legitimate reasons to be wary of large EVs. Like any massive vehicle, they’re more dangerous for pedestrians, especially when coupled with the near-instant torque power of EVs. They’re also far worse for the environment than smaller cars, because they require those aforementioned large batteries and all the rare earth material they contain. If I lived in a city with usable public transportation, I’d give up on the EV9 in an instant. But for now I’m stuck traversing Atlanta suburbs, so the EV9 (ideally a pre-owned one in a few years) is our best worst option.
Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD: Top Variant Specifications
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 99.8 kWh |
| Power Output | 379 bhp |
| Torque | 700 Nm |
| Acceleration (GT-Line AWD) | 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds |
| ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance) | Level-3 ADAS suite: Parking collision avoidance, lane-keeping aids, highway driving assistance, 360-degree surround view, blind spot monitoring |
Pricing and the competition
The Kia EV9 starts at ₹46,00,000 (not including destination charges) for the “Light” model, which includes rear-wheel drive, 215 horsepower and 370 kms of range. Leasing options start at ₹ 41,000 a month on average, with ₹ 1,67,000 due at signing for a 36-month term. These numbers could also change depending on the offers Kia makes available, as well as what local dealers are willing to charge.
The “Light Long Range” model gets you a bigger battery with 490 kms of range for ₹ 50,00,000 and a slightly weaker 201hp motor. Higher-end trims are nearly twice as fast with 379hp all-wheel drive motors. That includes the ₹ 54,00,000 “Wind” EV9 and the ₹ 60,00,000 “Land” model, both of which have 450 kms of range.
At the top end, there’s the flagship GT-Line model reviewed, which starts at ₹ 62,00,000. It has a bit less range (435 kms) than mid-range choices, but it also has just about every feature Kia could throw in, including a 12-inch heads-up display on the windshield, 21-inch alloy wheels and the 14-speaker Meridien sound system.
While its price escalates quickly, the Kia EV9 is still a better deal than every other three-row EV on the market. The Rivian R1S starts at ₹ 64,00,000, and it currently leases for ₹ 60,000 a month with at least ₹ 7,15,000 in signing fees. The aging Tesla Model X starts at ₹ 65,50,000. Those cars are also both significantly faster than the Kia EV9, and they offer better ride options like adaptive suspension.
The KIA EV 9 is expected to be priced between ₹ 90.00 Lakh to 1.20 Crore (ex-showroom) in India, bringing it in the market for luxurious electric SUVs.
Kia EV9 Design
Like Kia’s EV6, the Kia EV9 (available in Light, Land, Wind and GT-Line configurations) looks striking up close. It doesn’t shy away from being a large SUV — its boxiness is a feature, not a bug. And what it lacks in curves, it makes up for with polygonal body panels that look futuristic without being garish like Tesla’s Cybertruck. From the front, the EV9 pairs vertical headlights with customizable LEDs. (You have to buy additional lighting patterns separately, though, a truly unfortunate choice by Kia.)
Kia didn’t stray too far from the original EV9 concept it revealed in 2019, and that’s a good thing. There aren’t any rear-hinged suicide doors, but I don’t miss them. Structurally, standard door frames are safer for passengers, especially during accidents.
Kia EV9 Interior
Upon opening the driver side door, you’re greeted with an elegant setup: well-cushioned seats with comfortable mesh headrests; Kia’s 30-inch “Triple Panorama Display,” which features a gauge cluster, HVAC controls and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen; and tons of clean and usable space. It’s similar to the EV6’s setup, but a bit less cluttered since gear controls are handled by a stalk on the steering wheel, instead of a dial by the cupholders.
Even though it features a massive screen, the EV9 also has a combination of physical and capacitive buttons. You can change the temperature, mode and fan speeds with rocker switches on the driver and passenger side (rear passengers also have easily reachable HVAC controls). You can also control heating and cooling using the small display next to the infotainment screen, but I found that a bit awkward while driving. It was sometimes obscured by the steering wheel, and there wasn’t much feedback when changing settings on the screen.
The Kia EV9 will be available in both six and seven-seater versions and this will join the 7 seater electric car options in India. This flexibility makes the Kia EV9 an appealing option for families and those seeking a spacious electric SUV.
Charging
The Kia EV9 supports 210 kilowatt fast charging, and it’s compatible with both 400- and 800-volt chargers. Using the most powerful 800V hardware (which admittedly isn’t always easy to find), the EV9 can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 24 minutes. Using a local Electrify America charger, which clocked in at 150kW, the Kia EV9 went from 21 percent of battery to 90 percent in 39 minutes.
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