Kia EV9 review: one of the most versatile electric vehicles around

The boxy looks of the Kia EV9 are drawing attention from people coming out of established premium cars, like the Land Rover Discovery. Given its practicality, the impressive list of standard equipment, and the high-end electric vehicle technology it has, we’re not surprised that the Korean brand’s flagship is turning so many heads. It may be Kia’s most expensive car to date, but it might just be its best, too.

The enormous Kia EV9 seven-seat electric SUV follows an impressive line of outstanding electric vehicles from the brand, using a class-leading 800-volt architecture that allows for ultra-rapid charging speeds, reducing the need to keep the children entertained on long trips as you top up the battery. Its interior provides all the modern conveniences you’d expect of a large SUV, but it’s not without one or two quirks. For the most part, these are minor gripes within an extremely well-rounded package.

Kia EV9: price, specs and rivals

With this model, Kia beat its group partner Hyundai to the punch in building a true jumbo electric car. The EV9 is a full five-metre-long creation with imposing styling (lots of simple creases and hard edges, plus an unashamed SUV profile) and proper three-row accommodation that arrives in the UK before the Hyundai Ioniq 7 enters the fray.

It also finally confirms that large seven-seat SUVs don’t have to be powered by petrol or diesel, as the Discovery and so many others are. Nor do they have to come as a half-way house, company car-friendly plug-in hybrid such as the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90. Sure, there will be the Volvo EX90 that will offer similar seven-seat versatility in an electric form, but that’ll be several orders of magnitude more expensive. Then there’s the cheaper Mercedes EQB, which also offers seven seats but is smaller and, therefore, not as practical as the EV9. And it doesn’t have the big Kia’s clever EV technology.

That tech starts with the single battery size on offer with the EV9. It’s a whopping 99.8kWh pack (96kWh usable), providing up to 349 miles of driving range. You can choose from two motor configurations: a rear-drive set-up with 200bhp and 350Nm, or a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive layout with 380bhp and 700Nm of torque. 

The lower-powered model is restricted to the entry-level ‘Air’ trim level. It starts at just under £65,000 – a figure that would have seemed inconceivable for even a range-topping Kia only five years ago. However, you do get a lot for your money because it comes with 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, twin 12.3-inch displays plus a 5.3-inch climate-control panel in between, six USB-C sockets (two per row), front and rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate, second-row window blinds, an eight-speaker audio system, and power-adjustable front seats.

Anyone wanting a four-wheel drive model must step up to GT-Line. It costs just over £73,000 and features 21-inch alloys, two-tone upholstery, electric adjustment on the steering column, massage functionality on the driver’s seat, adaptive-beam headlights and exterior styling tweaks.

The top-of-the-range trim is GT-Line S. It takes everything GT-Line has and adds a head-up display, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and front and second-row sunroofs.

This is also the only version available with the six-seat layout, incorporating ‘captain’s chairs’ in the middle row; they can rotate 180 degrees when the vehicle is stationary, allowing occupants in the back to interact more easily.

Comfort is where the Kia EV9 excels because it has a relaxing motorway ride, and it deals with the worst effects of impacts at speed very well. It is a big and heavy vehicle, though, and that is noticeable in town or during tighter turns on country roads where the body leans over quite a bit. Performance is excellent, and the regenerative braking system is one of the best in any EV. Read more about the Kia EV9's electric motors, performance and drive here…

The Kia EV9 shares the same 800-volt architecture as the brand’s other electric cars, so a 10-80 per cent recharge from an ultra-rapid charger can be done in just 25 minutes – a mighty impressive feat given this SUV has a huge 99.8kWh (96kWh useable) battery pack. Our preferred Air model has over 300 miles of electric range, and the EV9 is expected to retain its resale value well. The only disappointment is its high insurance rating. Read more about the Kia EV9's range, charging and running costs…

The boxy design of the Kia EV9 will appeal to those who miss the squared-off looks of previous Land Rover Discovery models – although the EV9 is much more aerodynamic than an old Disco. The interior is a step on from other Kia cars and has soft-touch materials in the right places. However, there are some gaffs, such as an on button and a climate control screen that are hidden from the driver behind the steering wheel. Read more about the Kia EV9's interior, design and technology…

The Kia EV9 outdoes many other seven-seat rivals for boot space when all chairs are in use, and it could be used as a removals vehicle with all seats folded. Everyone has plenty of space, and you can easily slide the second row out of the way to gain access to the third row. We’re not so keen on the six-seat captain’s chair configuration, because you can only use it while stationary, and it requires the front seats to be pushed forward. Anyone looking to tow will need an AWD version, which has a 2,500kg braked trailer towing limit. Read more about the Kia EV9's boot space, comfort and practicality…

The Kia EV9 is too new to have been included in the current 2023 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but Kia as a brand generally performs well in the manufacturer category. There’s also a long seven-year/100,000-mile warranty for additional peace of mind. The EV9 is a very safe car to put your loved ones in according to safety experts Euro NCAP, and every version comes with all the latest safety assistance technology. Read more about the Kia EV9's reliability and safety…

Should you buy a Kia EV9?

The Kia EV9 will be the answer to those who genuinely need the space of a large SUV like a Land Rover Discovery, but want it with the low tax benefits of an electric vehicle. It’s big enough inside to deal with whatever family need or situation that might arise, and you can feel a little less guilty driving around in such a large car to drop the kids off at school because it has zero tailpipe emissions. 

The EV9 costs more than a seven-seat Mercedes EQB, but the Kia is much more practical and is very well-equipped. Plus, the EV9's larger battery pack allows it to go further on a charge, and its superior electric architecture means it charges faster, too. Its range and charging speed can also embarrass other large electric SUVs like the Audi Q8 e-tron and BMW iX, both of which cost more, yet seat fewer people.

It’s not perfect, with a few interior gripes that you’ll have to learn to work around, and it certainly feels its size in town and city driving, but until such a time as the Hyundai Ioniq 7 comes along, there’s very little to challenge the Kia EV9 if you need that amount of space from an electric vehicle.