There may be an rising urge for food for big automobiles in Australia, and so the EV9 arrives on its shores with huge expectations. And massive is the phrase you utilize lots when speaking about Kia’s new flagship electrical automobile.
It’s a giant automobile. Weighing in at roughly 2.5 tonnes, the EV9 compares to different giant SUVs such because the Nissan Pathfinder and Land Rover Defender. The distinction being after all that the EV9 is totally electrical, becoming a member of the Mercedes EQB as the one different 7-seater electrical SUV accessible within the Australian market.
It additionally has a giant price ticket – some will argue. The entry stage EV9 Air will begin at $97,000 earlier than on-road prices, taking it into the six-figure area when on highway prices are included. The highest of the road GT – which is able to get you and your loved ones from 0 to 100 kmh in 5 seconds if that’s your factor – will set you again as much as $121,000 earlier than on-road prices.
It’s a giant take a look at for Kia. The model which has accomplished a exceptional job over the previous decade of repositioning itself from low-cost and cheerful to develop into the extra energetic and luxurious sister model to Hyundai. The EV9 will probably be a giant take a look at of how far they’ve come.
Check driving the EV9 at Kia’s launch occasion, we drove from Sydney to Bowral within the Southern Highlands and again. We began within the high GT-Line mannequin which is an all-wheel-drive with a 99.8kWh battery pack and twin motors producing a mixed 283kW and 600Nm.
Throughout the drive we switched a pair instances between the GT and the bottom Air mannequin which includes a single motor as much as 160kW of torque and 350Nm. Lacking in motion was the mid-tier Earth mannequin which as a result of logistical causes hasn’t but landed on Australian shores, however ought to do by early 2024. You will discover the total record of options throughout the fashions right here.
The inside of the cabin options an built-in panoramic show with a 12.3” Driving Cluster, 5” Local weather Monitor, and a 12.3” Infotainment Show.
Over The Air (OTA) updates will permit EV9 homeowners to replace software program with out having to go to a dealership. Whereas I typically discovered it arduous to see all the local weather monitor info via the steering wheel, I favored the general look and ease of use of the show. When it comes to software program, it presents good customisation and doesn’t lag.
Digital sideview mirrors and a digital centre mirror characteristic within the GT-Line mannequin. Whereas I respect the benefits of digital sideview mirrors at night time and in unhealthy climate, it’s nonetheless one thing I’ve by no means actually gotten that snug with simply but.
Kia additionally added fingerprint ID, so customers can unlock their very own personalised profile settings, in addition to begin the automobile with out a FOB key so long as you could have the Kia Join app in your cellphone.
As a part of Kia’s part out of actual leather-based in all autos, the EV9 options bio-based supplies throughout the cabin. The cabin feels spacious, however leans extra to the sensible facet than the luxurious facet.
That’s comprehensible contemplating that is virtually a individuals mover, however some parts maybe fall wanting my very own private expectations for a cabin of this value.
For example whereas the dials on the steering wheel felt heavy-duty and luxurious, among the buttons within the centre console felt low-cost. Storage was first rate however possibly not so good as I hoped for such a large automobile.
I’ll say I completely cherished the mesh headrest, and ventilated and heated seats customary on all 3 fashions. Whereas cabin total gained’t knock your socks off, it positively feels spacious and polished and is unlikely to disappoint.
Within the EV9, it’s the second row the place the worth actually lies. The quantity of area is spectacular. As somebody who stands at 6’5″, it’s not typically I can get into the again of any automobile with out feeling like I’m climbing right into a small cardboard field.
Unbiased local weather controls, subtle air vents, and USB-C ports all characteristic within the second and third row, with the latter providing much less leg-room as anticipated.
When it comes to boot area, Kia says 333L is offered with all seats in use. For comparability that’s the same boot area present in a Hyundai i30. Put the third row down and also you’ll get 828L. Each seating rows down will provide 2318L of area.
Frunk storage is available in at 90L for RWD fashions and 52L for AWD fashions. Unusually but additionally more and more generally in new EVs, a spare tyre just isn’t supplied, reasonably a tyre restore equipment.
![Kia_EV9_GT-Line (78) Kia_EV9_GT-Line (78)](https://i0.wp.com/thedriven.io/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Kia_EV9_GT-Line-78-1.jpeg?w=1156&h=771&ssl=1)
As we began off on our journey, we had been in a position to give the regenerative braking, and the brake pedal itself a exercise (it is dependent upon your settings) as we labored via Sydney’s congested site visitors. As soon as we made it to out to some extra open highway although, we lastly begin to get a way of the trip.
For a 2.5 tonne automobile, the automobile hugs the highway round kerbs surprisingly properly. Acceleration advantages from the electrical torque however remains to be surprisingly sharp regardless of the burden, notably in sports activities mode the place acceleration is sharpened.
If torque is what you want, then the GT-Line will probably be your mannequin of alternative. The one motor Earth and Air fashions whereas fast sufficient for many, however gained’t provide you with any sense of exhilaration.
All EV9s are tuned to Australian roads, so we’re unlikely to see a repeat of the suspension points skilled by many selecting up their Tesla Mannequin Y in 2022. The AWD GT-Line presents a barely extra agency trip than the RWD, however handles corners higher.
For such a boxy design, the EV9 matches Audi E-Tron and Jaguar I-Tempo on the aerodynamic efficiency scorecard. There may be additionally a surprisingly low quantity of wind noise within the cabin. Street noise additionally was noticeably good, and Kia claims efficiency metrics outscoring the Mannequin Y, E-Tron, and I-Tempo.
Security options on the EV9 fluctuate on the mannequin. And whereas the bottom Air mannequin comes with sufficient, you is likely to be forgiven for feeling shortchanged after spending six figures and lacking out on options discovered on the Earth and GT-Line fashions equivalent to Parking Collision Help, Blindspot View Monitor, and Encompass View Monitor. The GT-Line comes completely with Distant Good Park Help and Augmented Actuality Head Up Show.
The EV9 most likely does sufficient to warrant the worth tag, and examine it to different electrical SUVs and it doesn’t look so misplaced. You additionally gained’t need to look far to seek out smaller, non-electric SUVs in the marketplace for not a lot much less.
The EV9 does stand alone as the most important 7-seat electrical SUV in the marketplace, and so that you’re getting various automobile in return to your hard-earned. You additionally get Kia’s 7-year limitless km guarantee, though the battery and excessive voltage equipment is capped at 150,000kms.
When you’ve got a giant household, otherwise you similar to huge (like an rising quantity of Australians), then the EV9 deserves a spot in your shortlist. Kia have actually come a good distance within the final 10 years, and within the EV discipline they’ve already already proven their stripes with the extremely acclaimed EV6. How the EV9 sells will probably be one other nice take a look at of its market place.