Kia EV9 2024: we drove it for the first time
The Car Guide took the KIA EV9 electric SUV to the Hyundai Proving Grounds in California's Mojave Desert, not far from the legendary Edwards Air Force Base. Although the test took place on a closed circuit, and not on public roads, we learned a great deal about this three-row electric vehicle, the first examples of which are due to arrive on our market towards the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 as 2024 models.
For the moment, the brand's Canadian management is unable to specify the price range of the Kia EV9, which will not be revealed until October 2023, or the allocation reserved for the Canadian market. We do know, however, that 500 units have already been reserved by customers through an online reservation operation, which was limited to 500 units.
One battery, four versions
In some markets, EV9 buyers will be able to choose between a 76.1 kWh or 99.8 kWh battery, but in Canada only the high-capacity battery is on the program, where buyers will be able to choose between four versions of the EV9. The entry-level Wind is powered by a single 201 hp, 258 lb-ft electric motor. According to the manufacturer, it has an estimated range of 480 kilometers, making it the version with the longest range.
Kia expects the two-engine Land model to be the most popular in the range, with 379 hp, 443 lb-ft of torque and a range of 442 kilometers. A higher-equipped Land Premium model is also on the program, as is the two-motor GT Line, with torque increased to 516 lb-ft and a reduced range of 434 kilometers.
The Wind and Land versions offer seven seats, while the Land Premium and GT-Line have six. As the EV9 is equipped with an 800-volt electrical system, recharging from 10% to 80% takes just 25 minutes when the vehicle is plugged into a fast-charging station. The EV9 also features a V2L device that can supply power to accessories or even a home in the event of a mains failure.
A large playground
The Hyundai Proving Grounds is a huge 4,500-acre complex featuring 120 kilometers of asphalt roads and trails for evaluating vehicle behavior on a variety of surfaces. For this first contact, we got behind the wheel of pre-production prototypes to complete several laps of the road circuit and the high-speed oval track, as well as evaluating the EV9 on a test track featuring acceleration and braking zones and a slalom, and then driving on sandy trails.
On the twisty road circuit, the EV9 showed remarkable poise with a lateral acceleration of 0.84 G, putting it ahead of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Several driving modes are available, and the EV9 adopts a sharper handling by reducing body roll in Sport mode.
On the oval track at a speed of 180 km/h, we noted the quiet ride, the EV9 being equipped with soundproof glazing and an excellent aerodynamic coefficient of 0.28 despite its large frontal area. On both circuits, we tested the advanced Highway Driving Pilot system, which incorporates 15 sensors - two of them lidar. The system proved particularly effective in maintaining a straight trajectory and following the center of the lane when cornering, even at speeds well above the limits permitted on marked roads.
Testing in the acceleration, slalom and braking zones allowed us to push the EV9 to the limit. Initial acceleration of the twin-engine EV9 GT-Line is swift but not breathtaking, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds. The single-engine version, on the other hand, takes over 9 seconds. In the fast slalom, body movements are well controlled despite the high mass, and braking is up to the task, with a shorter stopping distance than the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
The EV9 wasn't designed to be a champion off-roader, but its 7.8" ground clearance means it can be used with confidence off-road, where the efficiency of the electronically-controlled all-wheel drive and the use of Snow mode enabled us to ride without worry on sandy trails. The EV9 is also equipped with an automatic downhill speed control system, which proved highly effective. Towing capacity is 5,000 lbs on twin-engine versions.
The EV9's dimensions are comparable to those of the combustion-powered Kia Telluride SUV, but its wheelbase is 20 centimetres longer, making for a more spacious cabin. The EV9 also inaugurates the manufacturer's new design language, with highly angular lines and pronounced shoulders and wheel arches. The GT-Line version features specific bumpers. The EV9 rides on 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels, depending on the model, and is available in a choice of body colors. However, matte-finish colors will not be available for EV9 2024 models sold in Canada.
A very spacious SUV
Clearance for second-row passengers is excellent, and even the third-row seats are comfortable. Two 12.3-inch touchscreens are arranged on the dashboard, backlit buttons provide quick access to various functions, and a 708-watt, 14-speaker Meridian audio system is included in the options catalog. There are USB-C sockets at every seat, and cargo volume increases from 566 liters with all seats up to over 2,300 liters with the seatbacks down. The EV9 also features a front trunk whose volume is reduced on twin-engine versions.
In the USA, the first customers to make a reservation will be offered a free charging station, credit for charging at public stations, and three years' maintenance. The brand's Canadian management was unable to say whether this offer will be made to first-time buyers in Canada, but says it intends to follow suit.
Kia's electric vehicle offering will grow rapidly over the next few years. The mid-size EV5, recently built and launched in China, will join the brand's North American line-up, which will include seven electric vehicles by 2027. To cope with the anticipated demand for the EV9, Kia plans to manufacture it at its West Point plant in Georgia. By contrast, the first models for the Canadian market will come from South Korea. It is to be hoped that the EV9's production capacity in North America will eventually make it possible to increase the allocation for the Canadian market, but that remains to be seen...
