Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto

All-electric Kia EV9 premieres with Level 3 autonomous tech and up to 379 hp

Wondering about range? Kia is targeting up to 300 miles with the midsize SUV

Joel Patel
By

Kia’s just getting warmed up with its lineup of EVs. In addition to coming out with more traditional electric vehicles like the Niro EV, the automaker is also working on building its “EV” lineup of vehicles that utilize its E-GMP platform like the EV6. After a lot of speculation and teasing, Kia is finally ready to unveil the three-row 2024 EV9 in its entirety.

There’s no mistaking the EV9 for anything beyond being a midsize SUV. Heck, the electric SUV shares similar lines to the current Kia Telluride that’s on sale, which, we have to say, is an incredibly handsome vehicle. Well, Kia continues to drop bangers, because the EV9 is a looker. And that’s saying something for an SUV.

1 of 6
2024 Kia EV9 driving down the road with mountains and a body of water in the back.
Kia
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line rear end angle driving down the road with mountains in the back.
Kia
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line parked in the woods with tall trees.
Kia
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line rear end angle driving down the road with mountains in the back.
Kia
Steering wheel and dashboard in the 2024 Kia EV9 from passenger side.
Kia
2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line interior close up of front seats from driver's side.

Compared to the Telluride, the EV9 is 0.3 inches longer, but because of the way the electric powertrain is packaged, the wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer. The result is more interior space. The EV9 will be the first all-electric vehicle from Kia to be offered with a third row and seating for up to seven. Having sat in the EV9 at the New York Auto Show, we can say that the third row is still a squeeze, but the first two are plenty spacious for adults.

Related

Sticking with the EV9’s seats, Kia will offer the SUV with multiple second-row configurations. One is a basic set of captain’s chairs. The second is a set of captain’s chairs that can fully recline for maximum comfort. Consumers can also spec the EV9 with second-row seats that swivel up to 180 degrees to face the third row. With a limited amount of space in the third row, we wonder how useful the swiveling third row will be in the real world.

Recommended Videos

At the time of launch, the EV9 will be offered with two powertrains in the U.S. The base powertrain consists of an electric motor on the rear wheels that’s rated at 215 horsepower. A 76.1-kWh battery pack is also included, while a larger 99.8-kWh battery pack will be available. Pair the larger battery pack with the single electric motor on the rear wheels and Kia claims that it’s targeting up to 300 miles of range. A dual-motor EV9 with all-wheel drive will also be offered with the 99.8-kWh battery pack. That model will make up to 379 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Range for that figure isn’t available yet.

1 of 6
Front end angle of the 2024 Kia EV9 with headlights on in a studio.
Kia
Side profile of the 2024 Kia EV9 parked in a studio.
Kia
2024 Kia EV9 rear end angle with taillights on in studio.
Kia
Front end angle close up of headlights on 2024 Kia EV9 in a studio.
Kia
Close up of front end of the 2024 Kia EV9 with headlights on.
Kia
Front end angle of the 2024 Kia EV9 with headlights on in a studio.
Kia

Thanks to the E-GMP platform, the EV9 has an 800-volt architecture that allows for fast-charging capability. When plugged into a fast-charger, the EV9 can go from 10% to 80% charged in under 25 minutes. Like a few of other Kia’s products, the EV9 will offer Vehicle-to-Load charging that enables it to act as an onboard power generator.

Kia hasn’t provided measurements for the EV9’s screens, but they’re massive displays. The digital instrument cluster and the infotainment screen are connected in a single piece with stunning graphics. Kia claims the electric SUV has the automaker’s next-gen operating system and will be the first vehicle from Kia to have vehicle system over-the-air software updates. A digital key system will also be available, allowing owners to use their Apple and Samsung products to lock, start, and unlock the EV.

The global EV9 GT-Line will be available with a Level 3 semi-autonomous system in the form of Kia’s Highway Driving Pilot system. Kia’s press release for the U.S. doesn’t say anything about a Level 3 system, but has confirmed that the EV9 will be offered with Advanced Highway Driving Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2. These features will allow the SUV to stay in the middle of the lane on the highway, follow a lead vehicle, and assist in lane changes.

1 of 8
Front end angle of the 2024 Kia EV9 with headlights on in a studio.
Joel Patel/The Manual
Rear end angle of the 2024 Kia EV9 in a studio.
Joel Patel/The Manual
Close up of 2024 Kia EV9 headlight and front end.
Joel Patel/The Manual
Close up of rear taillight on the 2024 Kia EV9 in a studio.
Joel Patel/The Manual
Front end side profile of the 2024 Kia EV9 in a studio.
Joel Patel/The Manual
2024 Kia EV9 close up of 21-inch wheels in a studio.
Joel Patel/The Manual
Close up of steering wheel and dashboard in the 2024 Kia EV9.
Joel Patel/The Manual
2024 Kia EV9 close up of steering wheel in a studio.
Joel Patel/The Manual

Beyond the high-tech and upscale interior design, Kia’s designers have made sure to be as environmentally conscious on the inside. The EV9 features recycled and sustainable materials that are found throughout the entire lineup. Some of the materials used are extreme, like sugar cane extract, corn, castor oil, and fishing nets, but you can’t really tell as the cabin feels plenty nice.

After touching and seeing the 2024 Kia EV9 in the flesh, we’re impressed. If Kia manages to price the SUV appropriately, we’re certain it will be a massive success. The EV9 is expected to go on sale before the end of the year, and the SUV will be assembled at the brand’s West Point, GA, facility starting in 2024.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Joel Patel
Joel Patel
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joel Patel is a Northern Virginia native that became enamored with cars at a young age when he was tasked with holding the…
These popular chains are adding electric charging stations
Now, you can get a hot dog or a sub while your EV charges
7Charge electric vehicle charging station by 7-Eleven with an EV charging at a convenience store

One of the more annoying things about owning an electric vehicle is charging. Not only are charging stations difficult to find, but they’re also placed in inconvenient locations. You park your vehicle, attach the necessary plug, pay, and then you sit in the car. And wait. Scrolling endlessly on your phone. If you like hot dogs and subs, and own an EV, there’s some good news as 7-Eleven and Subway have both announced that they will be installing electric charging stations at their locations across the U.S.
For 7-Eleven, it’s charging network will be called 7Charge – it’s a catchy name that sounds like a sugar-fueled soda, but for your car – that will offer a “convenient and reliable fast-charging experience” at select stores in the U.S. Charging stations will also be available in Canada, but at a later date. Surprisingly, 7-Eleven claims that 7Charge is already online in Florida, Texas, Colorado, and California.

The 7Charge network will have CHAdeMO and Combined Charging System (CCS) plugs for EVs and also has a nifty payment system. EV owners in an area where 7Charge is available can download the app on their smartphone and use that to pay.
Subway, which is best known for its $5 footlongs also announced plans to build its charging network that will be called Subway EV Charging Oasis. These electric vehicle charging stations seem like they’ll be a little nicer than the ones 7-Eleven will offer with amenities like restrooms, WiFi, playgrounds, and picnic tables. While your body is being refueled by a sub, the brand’s chargers will be able to provide 120 miles of range in roughly 17 minutes to your EV for around $20.
At the moment, Subway confirmed that it’s working with two EV startups to get the charging station up and running: GenZEV Solutions and RED E Charging. According to Subway, the two startups will handle the charging side of things and maintenance.

Read more
J.D. Power: Owners say EVs are less satisfying than gas-powered cars in one big way
High recall rates and issues with unknowledgeable service advisors are key problems for EV owners
2023 Lexus RZ 450e front end angle from driver's side parked in front of a beach.

While one would assume that most people would be happy with their shiny, new vehicle, especially when they're some of the most reliable ones, that’s not always the case. Every year, J.D. Power checks how happy owners are with their vehicles and the service experience as part of its U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study. A new study was done for 2023 and overall owner satisfaction is down. More worryingly, customer service satisfaction among electric vehicle owners is lower than it is among gas-car owners.
J.D. Power’s CSI Study claims that overall owner satisfaction fell two points to 846 (out of 1,000 points) for 2023. The main issues that J.D. Power found are due to the rapid introduction of new electric cars. Not only are EVs involved in more recalls than gas-powered vehicles, but EV owners also have to deal with inept service advisors when they take their car to get serviced at a dealership.

These two factors explain why customer service satisfaction with electric vehicle owners is 42 points lower than it is with owners of gas vehicles. EV owners rate service advisor knowledge at 8.01 out of 10, while drivers with a gas-powered vehicle gave their service advisors a score of 8.59.
“As the electric vehicle segment grows, service is going to be a ‘make or break’ part of the ownership experience,” said Chris Sutton, vice president of automotive retail at J.D. Power. “As training programs for service advisors and technicians evolve, EV service quality and customer experience must address both the vehicle and the unique customer needs. The EV segment has the potential to spur massive convenience improvements in how customers service their vehicles – but we’re not seeing the benefits yet.”
J.D. Power found another issue with EV ownership with its 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Home Charging Study. Overall satisfaction with charging at home for EV owners declined 12 points from last year to 740. The dissatisfaction with charging at home stems from increased prices for electricity. Slow charging rates when charging at home also led to a lower satisfaction score.
The CSI Study found that vehicle recalls are detrimental to owner satisfaction, a large number of owners want to get service updates through texts, and owners are waiting longer than ever to get a service appointment.
Luxury automakers that rank toward the top of owner satisfaction include Lexus, Porsche, Cadillac, and Infiniti. For mass-market automakers, leaders include Mitsubishi, Mazda, Buick, and Subaru.
We’ll be one of the first to rant about how great EVs are, but there are quite a few drawbacks to making the switch to an electric car. J.D. Power’s latest CSI and EVX Studies reveal that despite all of the benefits that are associated with EVs, there are a few drawbacks that people should be aware of.

Read more
This could be good news for anyone who wants to use the federal EV tax credit
The U.S. and European Union are holding talks to make more EVs eligible for the EV tax credit
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 front end angle from passenger's side with a city in the back.

Anyone that’s attempting to keep up with all of the changes with the federal tax credit for electric vehicles is sure to have gray hairs at this point. So much has changed that it takes a degree to keep up with. The United States and the European Union are currently holding negotiations to, hopefully, expand the number of vehicles that are eligible for the federal tax credit and make things a little easier for shoppers.
According to The White House, the U.S. and the European Union are holding discussions that focus on the components that go into a battery pack. The goal is to come to an agreement to include critical minerals that are extracted or processed in the European Union to count toward the current requirements for electric vehicles to be eligible for the federal tax credit under the current Inflation Reduction Act.

“To that end, we intend to immediately begin negotiations on a targeted critical minerals agreement for the purpose of enabling relevant critical minerals extracted or processed in the European Union to count toward requirements for clean vehicles in the Section 30D clean vehicle tax credit of the Inflation Reduction Act,” stated The White House in a press release.
If negotiations go well, this could be greatly beneficial for consumers looking to purchase an electric vehicle, because it would expand the number of cars that are eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. That would lead to more people making the switch to an EV.
Under previous guidance that the government put out, EVs have to meet some requirements to be eligible for the tax credit: the EV has to have a final assembly point in North America, an EV has to have a minimum percentage of critical minerals that have to be extracted or processed in the U.S. or have minerals that come from one of America’s free trade partners or be recycled in North America, and an EV has to have a minimum percentage of battery components that are assembled or manufactured in North America.
A lot of automakers have voiced criticism against the current requirements in the Inflation Reduction Act. Brands like Hyundai and Kia got screwed over with the requirements, so hearing that the U.S. government is flexible and open to making changes could be a good sign for other countries and automakers.
While this is good news for shoppers, the U.S. government is supposed to have all of its guidelines on the federal tax credit in place this month. So, things could change for buyers very shortly.

Read more