First Look at the Kia EV9: CleanTechnica’s Initial Thoughts

Kia has made a significant turnaround in recent years, establishing itself as an automotive leader with its fast-charging and reliable EV offerings. The Kia EV9, a family-friendly electric SUV, impressed a reviewer with its powerful performance, spacious interior, and long-range capabilities. Equipped with a 99.8 kWh battery, the EV9 can charge overnight and comfortably accommodate large families with its seven-seat configuration and luxurious features like captain’s chairs and reclining seats.
Despite its impressive qualities, the EV9 has some drawbacks that may affect certain consumers. The location of the power button on the shifter stalk was found to be non-intuitive, and the frunk is quite small, limiting practicality for storage. The lack of cargo space behind the third row may also pose a challenge for families going on long road trips. However, the reviewer noted that the easy accessibility to components like fluids and the battery could make maintenance and repairs easier in the future.
To fully evaluate the Kia EV9, the reviewer planned to take the electric SUV on two challenging trips. The first trip involved visiting the Very Large Array in New Mexico followed by dinner in a sandstone canyon, while the second trip was a three-day journey to explore remote areas of two national parks. These trips aimed to test the EV9’s range, independence, and performance in challenging conditions, and provide insights for EV drivers planning similar journeys in the future. The project was part of the Charge to the Parks initiative, promoting EV travel to national parks.
Overall, the reviewer expressed excitement about the upcoming tests and adventures with the Kia EV9, aiming to assess its capabilities in real-world scenarios. The vehicle’s power, range, and practicality were highlighted as key factors in determining its value as a family hauler. In conclusion, the EV9 was positioned as a strong contender in the EV market, offering a blend of performance, comfort, and efficiency that could appeal to families seeking a reliable and spacious electric SUV. Readers were encouraged to follow the updates to see the final verdict after the week of testing and trips with the Kia EV9.