2024 Kia EV9 Is the Family-Size EV

As we barrel toward an all-electric future, many EV makers have smartly concentrated on the most popular vehicle classes. There are now plenty of compact electric SUVs, but what if you desire something better suited to a large family? Three-row mid-size SUVs are the go-to choice, but the electric options are decidedly sparse and have been limited to expensive luxury brands.

The 2024 Kia EV9 looks to change all of that. The EV9's dimensions are very similar to the seemingly unassailable Telluride SUV's, though the EV's wheelbase is almost eight inches longer. We had the opportunity to drive a Korean-spec EV9 from Seoul to the east coast of the peninsula and back. After this first experience with Kia's family-size EV, we anticipate it will be as successful as its gasoline-powered sibling.

Three EV powertrains

Of course, specs are vitality important here, so let's jump in. The EV9 will be offered in three guises. The entry-level standard battery has a capacity of 76.1 kilowatt-hours and is estimated by Kia to deliver 223 miles of range. Output from the single rear motor comes to 215 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That should get the EV9 to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds or so.

The Long Range models upgrade to a 99.8-kWh battery and are offered in either rear- or all-wheel-drive. The most recent information suggests that the long-range rear-drive model will deliver the same power as the standard-battery version, but range increases to 300 miles. The added weight of the larger battery slows 60-mph acceleration to around 9.2 seconds, which is comparatively pokey for a modern EV.

We drove the Long Range with a second motor powering the front wheels. Combined with the rear motor, it churns out 379 horsepower and up to 516 pound-feet, although range drops to an estimated 270 miles. It should hit 60 mph in a much more respectable 5.0 seconds.

EV9 initial driving impressions

Kia is still finalizing how the North American models will differ from Korean-spec ones, but it's a fair assumption we'll get sportier tunings for the suspension and throttle mapping. Considering this is a mid-size, three-row family SUV, we really don't see the need for a different tuning, since our K-spec EV9 was a pleasure to drive. Off the line, power delivery is as immediate as most other EVs and will easily exceed most drivers' expectations. On the highway, the ride quality is appropriately soft while not being floaty over undulations. One-pedal driving is available by adjusting the steering-wheel paddles, and it's easy to roll the EV9 to a complete stop smoothly. For more urgent deceleration, the brake pedal has a familiar feel and gets the job done, but you will feel the vehicle's substantial weight shift forward.

That mass factors in far less prominently on the few sections of curvy mountain roads, thanks to the underfloor battery that gives the EV9 a low center of gravity. It's poised and very controllable when driven harder than is prudent. This instills confidence that you'll be able to swerve around unexpected obstacles when you're just cruising. We're curious how the U.S.-spec EV9 will differ, but as it is, we don't have any complaints in regard to driving. Well done, Kia.

EV9 interior

In contrast to the EV9's attractive cyberpunk-like beveled exterior, the interior is softer and more inviting. The horizontal dash stretches from door to door and features what appears to be a single extra-wide display that extends from the instrument panel to the infotainment screen. In reality, there are two 12.3-inch screens, plus a 5.0-inch touchscreen for secondary climate controls.

Despite what initially seems to be a lack of physical switchgear, there are indeed some shortcut buttons embedded in the woodgrain dash trim. You need to give those embedded buttons a serious push, but you get confirmation with a solid haptic tap back. We're also pleased that there are levers for the temperature and fan controls just below and a volume roller dial in between. The infotainment system exhibits some slow reactions here and there but is easy to use with its numerous but well-organized menus.