Kia EV9 Land 2024: first to arrive, best everywhere

In this world completely gaga over SUVs and the like, we were impatiently waiting for a big three-row player, powered by one or more electric motors. Big families and small teams living in the suburbs were waiting for him to install a charging station and drive green full-time.

With its sturdy, square silhouette and barely softened edges, the Kia EV9 has become the first to enter this continent-wide market this year. In any case, it's the first to do so at a price that's affordable for its target clientele.

All EV9s are eligible for the full rebates offered here by both levels of government. Simply because you go from the most modest to the most powerful and best-equipped versions by adding an optional package rather than changing the model, and therefore the base price. Thanks to this trick, EV9 prices range from $59,995 to $78,995, including rebates.

By comparison, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, Tesla Model X and Volvo EX90 three-row electric SUVs have a starting price of over $100,000. As for the VinFast VF 9, a newcomer made in Vietnam, it's heavier and less powerful for the same mechanical configuration, with significantly less towing capacity and cargo volume. Even so, its price is some $10,000 higher than that of a comparable EV9, and it has everything to prove in terms of reliability.

Unpretentious star player

Even before the first EV9s were delivered to our shores at the beginning of the year, Kia's large electric SUV had been showered with awards. In addition to the award for Utility Vehicle of the Year, presented by the North American NACTOY jury, it also won the Car of the Year and Electric Vehicle of the Year awards for 2024. These honors added to the impressive collection of awards won by Kia's EV6, but also by Hyundai's Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 cousins and the Genesis GV60, which share the Korean group's excellent E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture, reserved for electric vehicles.

A few months after its arrival, the new Kia EV9 had even overtaken its sibling, the Telluride, in terms of nationwide sales. Yet the latter is considered the best three-row SUV of the moment by the Car Guide team, alongside the Hyundai Palisade, whose platform it shares.

Almost identical in size to the EV9, inside and out, the combustion-powered Telluride nonetheless takes 2.4 seconds longer to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h than its comparable electric sibling, despite being 623 kg lighter. With its 379 hp and four-wheel drive, the imposing twin-motor EV9 effectively completes this sprint in 5.1 seconds, with little or no noise and no pollutant emissions. Under its massive, angular silhouette, which nevertheless boasts an excellent aerodynamic coefficient of 0.28, it hides its game well.

All the qualities you need

For all the above reasons, and a few more, the big EV9 was the obvious candidate as the official vehicle for our family vacations last summer. In this role, it succeeded the svelte Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan. As award-winning as the Ioniq, it had acquitted itself brilliantly the previous year, albeit in a different register.

This time, we'd be able to stow all our luggage, toys, snowshoes and victuals in the vast trunk of our electric colossus, which measures 1,233 liters behind the second row of seats. If need be, I also intended to transport the whole family, or most of it, in the seven seats of the chosen model. The destination was Cap-à-l'Aigle, just beyond La Malbaie in Charlevoix, some 400 km from our base.

My choice of frame was a two-motor, all-wheel EV9 Land, which marks the mid-point of this series, at the current suggested price of $64,995. With its full equipment and 19-inch wheels, which give it the best-advertised range for this gear, it's the most pragmatic choice. No wonder it's in such high demand. The Plus, Premium and GT-Line packages add $5,000 to $14,000 for 20- or 21-inch wheels, two sunroofs and a host of accessories. The better question remains: do you need them? Nothing is less certain.

An efficient and discreet servant

Slip (literally) aboard the EV9 and you'll discover a spacious, practical and well-finished cabin, where synthetic leather and an overabundance of plastics in a wide variety of textures stand side by side. However, there's a risk of an overdose of gray and anthracite. It's a pity that the brown/black finish is reserved for the Premium and GT-Line packages. Fortunately, the combination of juxtaposed screens and physical controls is a success, as in all Korean-brand EVs, except for a few details.

On the freeway, the EV9's silence and smooth ride are exceptional at 110 km/h. Front seat comfort remained impeccable over our 400 km journey, despite a rather short seat. Space in the 2nd row is plentiful and comfort very good. A button at the top of the seatbacks tilts the seat forward to facilitate access to the 3rd row. In the rear, no complaints or protests from the youngest passengers, but it's much tighter for teenagers and adults.

When running errands or exploring the surrounding area, the ride is smooth, stable, predictable and reassuring. It's only when approaching undulating or bumpy curves at speed that the EV9 starts to pitch and even kick back. Just like its cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Better to take it easy. Despite its 2,268 kg, the ride is firm but well-controlled on rough roads. The softer sidewalls of the 19-inch tires certainly help, compared with the 21-inch wheels on the more expensive and plush GT-Line version tested earlier.

The Kia EV9 may be top of the class, but it does have a few shortcomings. For example, you quickly tire of unintentionally switching menus with the palm of your hand while trying to aim your index finger at an icon on the central screen. Switching from the Apple CarPlay interface to the Kia system to tune in to another radio or XM channel becomes downright annoying in the long run.

There's like a wall between the two, betraying imperfect integration. In addition, CarPlay did not initiate itself on restart a few times. Another annoyance: front door handles that often required 5 to 10 presses to lock the EV9 without the remote control.

A valuable asset

A charge at a Level 2 terminal, in preparation for departure, produced an astonishing promised range of 594 km, which even climbed to 620 km when the air conditioning was switched off. Projections then came close to the official RNC ratings of over 451 km. The EV9's trump card, however, is the quality of its rapid recharging thanks to its 400 and 800 volt architecture. Tested on the Circuit électrique's 50, 100 and 180 kW charging stations, as well as on the 150 kW stations at Ford's La Malbaie dealership (thank you!), it reduces charging time and costs, if you scrupulously respect the 80% limit beyond which the rate increases.

In short, without being perfect or the least bit exciting, the Kia EV9 is undeniably the best in this young category. Its most serious competitor will probably be its elegant cousin, the soon-to-arrive Hyundai Ioniq 9. Built on the same architecture, the latter offers new configurations and refinements that will undoubtedly make it formidable. One thing's for sure: you can't go wrong shopping for these two Korean brands, which are sisters and rivals.