Shereen Shabnam
The Kia EV9 arrives as a bold and impressive entry into the three‑row electric SUV market. With a striking exterior inspired by its Telluride sibling, the EV9 blends generous space, luxurious touches, and intelligent features, winning accolades like World Car of the Year 2024 where I represent the region as one of the International judges. The SUV is built to delight families and tech enthusiasts alike with its comfort, performance, and forward‑looking innovation. After a week of driving it again recently, I found more features that make this model appealing to our regional audience.
Exterior
The Kia EV9’s exterior is unapologetically bold, embracing a boxy, geometric aesthetic that feels both futuristic and purposeful. With its large silhouette and upright stance, this confident seven-seater commands attention on the road. The front fascia showcases Kia’s reimagined grille, now sleeker and more sculptural, flanked by striking vertical LED headlamps that create a signature lighting motif. Sleek flush door handles and aero-optimized alloy wheels enhance both form and function, contributing to the vehicle’s clean, aerodynamic profile. The EV9 blends urban sophistication with utilitarian strength, delivering concept-inspired style that feels right at home in both cityscapes and open highways.
Interior
Step inside, and the EV9’s cabin quickly impresses: rich materials, grown‑up design, and a well‑appointed layout, even exceeding expectations for a mainstream brand . With seating for six or seven, configurations include swivel second‑row “lounge” seats and available captain seats. It offers true six‑adult comfort across all rows, with thoughtful touches like massage seats, tri‑zone climate, and ambient lighting reinforcing its premium feel.
Technology
The EV9 is packed with cutting‑edge tech. At the helm is the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit with a triple display: 12.3‑in digital cluster, 5‑in HVAC controller, and 12‑in infotainment screen. Available features include Digital Exterior Side View Mirrors (camera mirrors), Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, Relaxation Seat mode, digital ambient lighting, OTA updates, and even vehicle‑to‑load (V2L) power output capabilities. Kia clearly leans into tech ubiquity for both convenience and wow factor.
Performance
Behind the wheel, the Kia EV9 delivers a refined and confident driving experience that perfectly complements its bold design. Whether in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, the EV9 feels balanced, composed, and surprisingly agile for its size. Acceleration is smooth and responsive, with plenty of torque for effortless overtaking and highway cruising, while the ride remains quiet and comfortable even on less forgiving surfaces. Charging is impressively quick too, thanks to ultra-fast charging support that allows drivers to regain a significant amount of range in just a short coffee break. Altogether, the EV9’s performance is more about effortless power delivery and everyday usability than chasing numbers, making it a confident, capable, and enjoyable electric SUV that feels ready for whatever life throws its way.
Our Verdict
The Kia EV9 is a masterful blend of space, luxury, tech, and performance. Its slab‑squared exterior may divide opinions, but the interior, comfort, and technology leave little room for criticism. For families seeking a true seven‑seater EV that’s practical yet premium, the EV9 delivers exceptional value. It outpaces many competitors on comfort and convenience, while still offering compelling performance and charging speed.
