Fully-Electric Three Row SUV: The 2024 Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 may be one of the most exciting electric car launches of 2023. A fully-electric, three-row SUV, it combines the space and versatility that Americans want with distinctive styling, a beautiful interior, and impressive range and charging performance. Designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, Kia’s engineers have created a new EV with the exterior length of the full-size Telluride gas SUV, with even more interior space. And now Kia has announced pricing for the EV9, which will have a starting MSRP of under $55,000 – with the most expensive, high-performance model topping out just under $75,000 MSRP.
The pricing of the Kia EV9 lineup is as follows:
- EV9 Light RWD: starting MSRP of $54,900
- EV9 Light Long Range RWD: starting MSRP of $59,200
- EV9 Wind e-AWD: starting MSRP of $63,900
- EV9 Land e-AWD: starting MSRP of $69,900
- EV9 GT-Line e-AWD: starting MSRP of $73,900
Kia EV9 Light
The EV9 Light is the base model of the EV9, but it comes very well equipped for a starting MSRP of $54,900 for the rear-wheel drive model. It’s built on an advanced 800-volt architecture, meaning it can charge at ultra-high speeds of up to 350 kW. Kia claims a 10 to 80 percent charging time of under 25 minutes on a compatible charger, which is close to best in the business. Powering the EV9 light is a permanent-magnet synchronous motor with 215 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
Standard equipment for the EV9 Light includes seven seats, 19-inch wheels, a power driver’s seat with heat and ventilation, and twin dashboard screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The list of standard safety features is also long. Rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist and forward and reverse parking distance warnings make low-speed maneuvers easy. There’s also built-in vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, which lets you use the vehicle’s battery as an on-board power generator, letting you power certain appliances or even use your vehicle to support the electric grid.
At a starting MSRP of $59,200, the EV9 Light Long Range sacrifices a little bit of power for more range. The standard 76.1-kWh battery is replaced with a larger 99.8-kWh battery, and the single electric motor offers 201 hp. While EPA range estimates aren’t yet available, we expect the EV9 Light Long Range will be able to go well over 300 miles on a single charge.
Kia EV9 Wind e-AWD
At a starting MSRP of $63,900, we expect the EV9 Wind to be the most popular EV9 model as it combines the most desirable features with a rugged, outdoorsy look. It features standard electronic all-wheel drive with torque vectoring thanks to its twin electric motors, and is substantially more powerful than the rear-wheel drive models. Electric motors on the front and rear axle produce a combined 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive capability means that the EV9 Wind can go off-road, so ground clearance is increased to 7.8 inches.
Like all EV9s, the Wind features an elliptical-shaped dash, which looks like it’s floating in space. The twin wide screens sit on top in a unified housing, and the climate control panel integrates a 5-inch diagonal display with physical switches, bringing the best of both worlds. The Wind additionally features a heat pump for better range in the winter, as well as a standard heated steering wheel.
Kia EV9 Land e-AWD
One step up from the Wind is the EV9 Land, which adds a pile of comfort, style, and convenience features. On the outside, you get a “digital pattern” backlit grille and standard 20-inch wheels. Inside, the steering wheel now comes with power adjustment, alongside a digital rear-view mirror, 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and more. The EV9 Land also has a surround-view monitor, blind-spot view monitor, and an available towing package that can increase towing capacity to an impressive 5,000 pounds.
All EV9s, including the EV9 Land, are highly digitally enabled. In addition to wireless Android Auto and CarPlay as well as a wireless charger, EV9 owners can also use their smartphone as a digital key – allowing them to lock and unlock the vehicle using their phone but also share access to the vehicle with their friends and family via text message. Starting MSRP is $69,900.
Kia EV9 GT-Line
At the very top of the EV9 lineup is the design-driven EV9 GT-Line. The GT-Line adds a unique front and rear fascia to the SUV’s distinctive looks, and wheels are upgraded to 21-inches; gloss black trim replaces the matte black trim on other models.
Inside, the interior of the EV9 GT-Line is also highly design-focused. Luxurious, premium materials feature throughout, and the seats have a “relaxation mode” that turns them into reclining lounge chairs while you charge. There’s also a standard remote-control parking assistant, which lets you use your smartphone to remotely maneuver the EV9 in and out of tight parking spaces.
Starting at an MSRP of $73,900, the GT-Line model also comes with enhanced performance; its twin electric motors produce 516 lb-ft of torque instead of 443 lb-ft in other all-wheel drive EV9 models.
Deliveries This Year
No matter which version of Kia’s flagship electric SUV you choose, you get a distinctive, boxy-looking SUV with surprisingly good aerodynamics; a spacious interior; and a huge array of standard safety features across the board. Built in West Point, Georgia, the EV9 should be eligible for the $7,500 federal tax incentive, and deliveries are slated to begin in late 2023.
