Our Rating
The overall rating is based on review by our experts
PERFORMANCE
5 / 10
BATTERY
7 / 10
BODY
5 / 10
DISPLAYS
5 / 10
COMFORT
6 / 10
SAFETY
7 / 10
PROS
- Fastest DC charging in its price class (up to 350 kW, sub-25-minute 10–80% top-up)
- Dual battery options with EPA range up to ~305 miles on the Long Range RWD trim
- Standard $7,500 US federal tax credit eligibility across all trims (US-built)
CONS
- Base Light RWD trim range (230 miles) trails several AWD three-row rivals
- GT trim pricing and full specifications remain unconfirmed, delaying direct value comparisons
The Kia EV9 is Kia’s flagship all-electric three-row SUV, positioned above the EV6 and EV5 as the brand’s largest and most family-oriented EV. It’s a mid-size/full-size crossover body style offered in both rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations across five confirmed trims — Light RWD, Light Long Range RWD, Wind AWD, Land AWD, and GT-Line AWD — with a high-performance GT AWD variant confirmed but not yet priced. What sets the 2026 update apart is the addition of a native NACS charging port alongside terrain-based drive modes replacing the older 4WD lock system, plus modest price cuts on several trims versus the prior model year.
Powertrain & Charging
Two battery sizes carry the lineup: a 76.1 kWh pack on the base Light RWD trim and a 99.8 kWh pack on every other trim, including Long Range RWD, Wind, Land, and GT-Line. EPA-rated range spans roughly 230 miles on the base trim up to about 305 miles on the Light Long Range RWD, with AWD trims landing between 280–283 miles. A WLTP-equivalent figure near 349 miles ( approximate, since the EV9 is primarily EPA-tested for its main market) has circulated in some spec sheets and should be treated as indicative rather than confirmed. On the charging side, the EV9 runs a 10.9 kW onboard AC charger across all trims, paired with DC fast-charging up to 350 kW on the 800V E-GMP platform. A 10–80% DC top-up takes roughly 20–24 minutes depending on trim and battery size. GT trim performance figures (power output, 0–60 time) have been partially confirmed by Kia, but full specs and pricing remain unannounced.
Pricing, Fit & Context
US pricing runs from roughly $54,900 for the base Light RWD to $73,395 for the top GT-Line AWD trim, before destination fees; regional equivalents in EUR/UAE markets vary based on local taxation and import structure. The EV9 realistically suits families needing three-row seating with a single-vehicle EV commitment, plus fleet buyers drawn to its towing capacity (up to 5,000 lbs on AWD trims) and fast-charging speed. Within Kia’s own lineup, it sits above the EV6 (compact crossover) and EV5 (mid-size SUV) as the largest, most feature-rich model. Externally, it competes most directly with the Hyundai Ioniq 9 (shared E-GMP platform), Rivian R1S, and Volvo EX90 in the three-row electric SUV segment. The closest spec-and-price match for a direct comparison is the Hyundai Ioniq 9, given the shared platform, comparable battery sizes, and overlapping price bands.
Kia EV9 Photos
