Kia EV9 GT-Line S review

Kia EV9

Kia EV9 GT-Line S review.

For – Unforgettable looks, fast, luxurious, every known gizmo.
Against – Range, toughest competition.
*****
£77,025
Competition–Tesla X, Mercedes EQS, Audi Q8, BMW iX, Volvo EX90

“The beast rolled over bumps and potholes with impunity, reminding me of a Rolls-Royce’s waftability”

My first thoughts after meeting the Kia EV9 for the first time were “big and handsome”, quickly followed by “that impressive front end is going to make it hopeless on the highway”.

Driving this eye-catching, luxury behemoth for a week confirmed my initial impressions. The EV9 didn’t like legal high-speed cruising, hardly a surprise with all that weight and the big, high-profile nose, which would blunt its battle through the air. But its regenerative braking was impressive, saving around 20% of the expected miles travelled over favourable rolling rural roads like my local section of the A272.

On the highway in the fast lane the EV9’s range wasn’t impressive although you could argue in the U.K., because of the crummy network, traffic, road works, and speed cameras, lengthy high-speed cruising would be rare anyway. The EV9 lost about half its range (range offered 100 miles would only get you 50 miles) at levels where speed cameras were unlikely to strike, just. A long-distance charge to the sun or skiing would be very inconvenient.

Kia’s little joke?
The dashboard was practical with all the required information readily available. The style was plain, simple and effective. The leather seats were classy but subdued. I loved the head-up display. The direction indicators were backed up by little windows which opened up to show the view through the wing-mirrors without having to turn your head and look at them. I’ve come across these before on the Audi e-tron and Infiniti 6, but that was because the wing-mirrors on these models had been eliminated. Not so with the EV9. Yet. The little button which opened the door to plug in your home charger used a little picture of a petrol pump. Was this Kia saving money using a component from an ICE vehicle for use in an EV? More likely Kia’s little joke.

The EV9 was simply fabulous on the road. Massive power from the huge 99.8 kWh battery was instant. No roll through fast corners. Everything smooth and quiet. The beast rolled over bumps and potholes with impunity, reminding me of a Rolls-Royce’s waftability.

The EV9 offers a choice of 7 or 6-seats. My GT-Line S had 6. The rear seats fold down at the touch of a button. The middle row swivel. There’s a secret little “frunk” under the front bonnet.

Once seen never forgotten
Prices start at £56,670 for the ‘Air’, followed by the GT-Line, then the GT-Line S, which has 21” wheels. You can choose from rear or all-wheel drive, 217 hp or 373 hp.      

The rear-wheel drive ‘Air’ version is powered by a single motor on the rear axle. The all-wheel drive ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ models are powered by dual 141 kW electric motors, one on each axle. These produce a maximum combined power output of 373 hp and maximum torque of 700Nm – 350Nm for both the front and the rear. The EV9 is capable of 800-volt ultra-fast charging. 15 minutes of charging can provide up to 155 miles of range. Over-the-air updates are available.

Every known computerised safety gizmo is available, as you would expect from a vehicle challenging the Tesla Model X, and top Mercedes, Audis, BMWs and Volvos.

What to buy?
Even though this version costs over £75,000 it is so laden with high tech, state-of-the-art equipment it is probably the cheapest compared with its illustrious competitors. Can the Kia brand carry this off? Just a few years ago, the answer would have been a clear “no”, accompanied by “how dare they”. But Kia has made such huge progress recently as it relentlessly drives upmarket the EV9 it must have healthy prospects, even in this company. The EV9’s looks might be crucial. Once seen never forgotten.  

Kia EV9