Review: The 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line is an excellent EV for the whole family

Kia brings us something huge with the new EV9: an affordable three-row, electric and family friendly SUV. This is a big deal! Yes, there are other three-row EV SUVs, but they’re all pretty expensive and out of reach for most buyers. So, if you’ve been wanting to ditch your Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander for something electric, well, your moment has come. 

Here are a few reasons why the EV9 is so great and worth your family’s consideration — with a few caveats.

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It’s based on the Telluride

The fact that the EV9 is based on Telluride tells you 90% of what you need to know about this car, because the Telluride is so excellent. The Telluride and now the EV9 are attractive, well-styled, spacious and well-thought-out SUVs.

Until now, no one else has really gone after the three-row EV market for a reasonable price. The EV9 is a big deal, and it does have some advantages over some gas powered SUVs. For example, the wheelbase is 8 inches longer than the Telluride's, which equates to an even more spacious interior. 

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However, it’s not without its high price tag. Our tester topped out near $80,000, which is … not cheap for a family-hauling SUV, especially considering a top-of-the-line Telluride taps out at just over $55,000. I’m no math wizard, but some simple calculations tell me that $20,000 or so can buy a heck of a lot of gas, even when it’s more expensive.

Regardless, let’s talk about what that high price tag gets you. The base EV9 starts at just over $56,000, which gets you rear-wheel drive and a motor that produces 215 horsepower and 230 miles of range. Upgrading to the long-range model gives you over 300 miles but the same horsepower. 

If you upgrade to the all-wheel drive version, you get 380 horsepower and about 280 miles of range. It goes 0-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, which isn’t too shabby considering its 5,400-pound weight.

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The design is awesome

While the EV9 is based on the Telluride, it’s easy to see how different the two are. The exterior of the EV9 is blocky, angular, ultramodern and loaded with unique design flourishes. From the fading L-shaped blocks that are the daytime running lights to the lightning bolt turn signals and the four-spoke retro yet modern wheels, the EV9 is undoubtedly one of the coolest and most unique looking three-row SUVs on the market. It looks downright brawny and muscular, and it’s simply unmistakable. 

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The interior is impressive

Step inside the EV9 and you’re treated to a genuinely nice place to spend time, although it’s not perfect. For example, whereas in the loaded Telluride you get soft, luxurious Nappa leather, the EV9’s top GT-Line trim only offers SynTex material for the seats. While pleasant enough, it looks and feels like Kia cheaped out on them. 

The same goes for the dash and other materials. While the Telluride is replete with nice materials, surfaces and details, the EV9 looks and feels surprisingly full of plastic. It seems odd to offer a lower quality interior for a more expensive car, but that’s the road Kia has taken.

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In addition, Kia has chosen to integrate some of the buttons literally into the dash, much like the Nissan Ariya we tested a few months back. While the haptic touch buttons are a cool, modern idea, they can be a pain to use in real life. As renowned “Jurassic Park” scientist Ian Malcolm said, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” 

One major highlight of the EV9’s interior is the second row. It is very, very cool. The seats are heated, ventilated and power operated. There even are footrests that come out and extend, something not too far off from a first-class airline seat.

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Unfortunately, the EV9's third row has only two seats, and they’re not as spacious or comfortable as the Telluride’s three, which is especially strange considering the 8-inch longer wheelbase.

We also found it odd that the steering wheel blocks the view of the climate control on the screen. It’s a hassle and distracting to look around, and we wish it were easier to see and more intuitive, with more dedicated physical knobs and buttons. 

Overall, the EV9 took what was good about the Telluride, but in some ways took it too far. It’s not as easy to use or as nice looking. Again, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. And just because something is more doesn’t make it better. 

It drives well

For better or worse, the Kia EV9 drives like Kia’s Carnival. Perhaps it’s due to the longer wheelbase and shorter nose, or maybe it’s the lower seating position, but it feels like a minivan despite its brawny and exceptional exterior styling.

Regardless, the EV9 drives very nicely and feels high-quality. It’s super quiet, and we could see it being an excellent daily family hauler if you can charge it at home. But there are times when its weight belies its styling. It’s a seriously hefty vehicle, and you can feel it way more than in the lighter weight Telluride.

Final thoughts

If you’ve been waiting for a relatively affordable three-row electric crossover, the Kia EV9 is here to make your day. It’s roomy, comfortable and offers loads of modern tech. But it is pricey. With a starting price in the mid $50,000 range, it can be hard to justify, especially considering the still excellent Telluride exists. However, if going electric is your top priority while hauling your family, the EV9 is probably the best option on the market without spending more than $80,000.

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Highs

• Boxy, modern exterior styling

• Lots of cool features and quirks

• An interior that is spacious and capable of hauling four adults

• Lots of good, modern technology

• Plenty of power — as long as you get the all-wheel drive models

Lows

• High price, especially in the upper trims

• It feels like driving a minivan

• Mediocre range

• Feels heavy

• Some interior materials, buttons and layout don’t feel as nice or intuitive as they should

• The third row only seats two

FAQs

Is it fun to drive? 

Not really, but it is powerful.

Is it good for families? 

Yes, especially if you primarily only drive around town. However, if traveling long distances are a frequent thing for your family, you may want to stick to a traditional three-row SUV. 

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.