LOS ANGELES — Again in 2020, Kia made an enormous impression with its Telluride three-row SUV. It gained unanimous reward and quite a few awards for its spaciousness, design and common excellence. With 4 years underneath its belt, the Telluride stays the very best in its class, even within the face of newer rivals. So what’s subsequent? Merely put, take all that labored with the Telluride and mix it with components of one other Kia hit, the electrical EV6. The result’s the 2024 Kia EV9, and it raises the query: “Can lightning strike thrice?”

We have been a number of the first to drive the all-new EV9 in its U.S.-spec kind on the Hyundai/Kia proving grounds within the excessive desert north of Los Angeles. After placing this three-row electrical SUV by way of its paces in a wide range of circumstances, we are able to reply that query with a assured, “sure.”

When the EV9 goes on sale on the finish of 2023, will probably be supplied in 5 trims: Gentle, Gentle Lengthy Vary, Wind, Land and GT-Line. Sadly, pricing isn’t but accessible.

The entry-level Gentle mannequin comes with a 76.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack within the ground that powers a single motor on the rear axle. Vary is estimated by Kia at 223 miles on a full cost and energy output involves 215 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. That’s a modest quantity of a heavy three-row car, but it surely ought to nonetheless get the EV9 to 60 mph in a not-slow 7.7 seconds.

The Gentle Lengthy Vary steps as much as a 99.8-kWh battery and dials again output to 201 hp (torque stays the identical). That ought to push the vary to 300 miles, however considerably lengthens its 0-60 time to eight.8 seconds. If you happen to’re searching for the longest-range mannequin within the EV9 lineup, that is it.

Issues get extra critical with the Wind trim. It provides a second motor up entrance for all-wheel-drive and a mixed output of 379 hp and 443 lb-ft. Vary drops to a still-above-average 270 miles and acceleration improves to a speedy 5.7 seconds. If you happen to go for the bigger 20-inch wheels, vary is additional lowered to 253 miles. It is also price noting that Kia will supply a Enhance “Characteristic on Demand” (FoD) that may be bought by way of the infotainment system that will increase torque to 516 lb-ft. We’ll get into FoD a bit later.

The Land trim has similar energy output specs because the Wind, however its normal 20-inch wheels have it caught at 253 miles of vary.

The highest GT-Line comes with the upper 516 lb-ft of torque and 21-inch wheels, leading to an estimated vary of 243 miles. It ought to hit 60 mph in solely 5.0 seconds.

Though battery measurement and efficiency contribute to vary, so does effectivity, and for that, the EV9 isn’t precisely miserly. Whereas a long-range, all-wheel-drive EV6 returns an EPA-estimated 109 miles-per-gallon equal (mpg-e), the comparable EV9 Wind AWD is nice for under 79 mpg-e. It goes right down to 71 for the GT-Line (and conversely, as much as 86-87 mpg-e for the Gentle trims). That is akin to a Rivian R1S. Electrical energy isn’t free, a lot like gas-powered household autos, choosing a much bigger mannequin goes to value you extra to refuel.

We drove the highest GT-Line all through the day and got here away impressed. As anticipated, acceleration is rapid and with no drama. Simply ground the pedal and the EV9 tracks straight in relative silence. It is faster than most drivers will ever want. In panic stops from 70 mph, the blocky SUV is simply as secure and controllable. Kia claims it would come to a cease from 62 mph in 128 ft, which is respectable for a car weighing between 5,000 and 5,900 kilos (a Telluride tops out at solely about 4,500).

When navigating turns, the EV9 displays some physique roll, but it surely’s by no means extreme. It traces by way of curves with confidence and transitions between left and rights gracefully. When pushed tougher than is prudent, this massive SUV nonetheless feels secure, although it does not encourage you to push it additional. The entrance tires predictably give up grip first and you’ve got loads of time to react and regain full management. You’ll be able to certainly have some enjoyable behind the wheel, however most three-row SUV drivers won’t ever have the will to. As a substitute, the dealing with dynamics serve to instill excessive ranges of assurance when it’s good to maneuver immediately.

We additionally had the chance to check the EV9 on a reasonable off-road course. With solely 7.8 inches of floor clearance, its terrain capabilities are considerably restricted, however brief entrance and rear overhangs assist fairly a bit. You would not need to try harder terrain with massive rocks or deep mud, however steep climbs up filth trails needs to be no drawback.

Regardless of the EV9’s potential to sort out these circumstances and its buttoned-down dealing with, the journey high quality stays pleasantly snug. It is tuned extra for compliance and bumps within the street are nicely smoothed over. On the similar time, it isn’t so delicate as to really feel floaty. The suspension tuning simply feels proper for a three-row SUV (very like the Telluride), which is saying one thing because the EV9 doesn’t profit from adaptive dampers.

Along with the EV9’s commendable driving manners, it additionally has some strong charging stats. The bigger battery is ready to cost at a 215-kW price on a DC quick charger and will solely require 24 minutes to get from a 10- to 80-percent cost. The smaller battery can get there 4 minutes faster. That looks as if a just-right period of time for a whole-family pit cease. With an 11-kW Stage 2 residence charger (or comparable public charger), you may count on a full cost to take nearly 9 hours whereas the smaller battery will get there in underneath seven hours.

Must you discover the charger-adjacent services missing, the highest two trims include an influence recliner footrest so you may lay again as if you have been in enterprise class. The GT-Line goes additional by including a light-weight therapeutic massage operate, too. All EV9s include artificial leather-based seat upholstery that feels extra substantial than the thinner vinyl-like coverings we skilled with the Korean-spec fashions. We did not have sufficient time to guage long-distance consolation on this drive, however the seats left a good impression with ample cushioning and help.

The second-row captains’ chairs are simply as snug, although sadly, they do not have the swivel operate that different markets take pleasure in. On the highest trims, they are often upfitted with heating, air flow and therapeutic massage features. If you happen to’re trying to improve passenger capability to seven, a second-row bench is normal on the Gentle and Wind trims.

The third row has sufficient headroom for adults, however per common for the three-row crossover SUV section, legroom relies upon how a lot the second row is slid ahead. On paper and in individual, it’s just like the Telluride.

Behind the third row, the EV9 can maintain as much as 21 cubic ft of cargo, which might be similar to the Telluride (one of many largest within the section). With the second and third rows stowed, it may well accommodate as much as 81.7 cubic ft, which is a bit lower than the Telluride’s 87.

The EV9’s capabilities lengthen nicely previous efficiency and practicality, too. Expertise is one other massive a part of the equation, and Kia is leaning into it in an enormous means. First off, you get a large glass enclosure that homes two 12.3-inch shows. One for the instrument panel and a touchscreen for infotainment. Between them is a slim 5-inch touchscreen devoted to local weather controls.

As many methods now embody over-the-air software program updates, the EV9 goes a step additional with its Options on Demand (FoD). As talked about earlier, homeowners can unlock a rise in torque by buying it through the Kia Join Retailer within the infotainment display. They will additionally add distinctive exterior accent lighting patterns, streaming companies and options equivalent to distant parking help. These options will also be added on the dealership, however FoD offers you only a bit extra flexibility and comfort.

There are additionally plans so as to add optionally available lidar sensors to the outside of GT-Line fashions to allow conditional hands-free freeway driving. This characteristic would require the lidar {hardware}, and won’t be accessible as an FoD. Alternatively, all EV9s shall be able to enhanced two-way charging past what’s succesful within the EV6. Particularly, homeowners can use the car’s battery to reinforce their residence’s electrical system slightly than merely plugging in a single or two objects (which itself remains to be fairly helpful). Not solely does this come in useful for energy outages the place the EV9 might conceivably provide wanted family energy for days, but it surely additionally offers homeowners extra flexibility in regard to charging.

Relying on family calls for and charges, a wise interface can draw energy from the EV9 when electrical energy is required and is costlier from utilities. When charges drop, charging can resume to avoid wasting you cash. Consider it because the inventory market: Purchase when it is low-cost and use the battery when it is costly.

Talking of cash, issues get slightly sophisticated with the EV9 in its first years. Initially, the EV9 shall be inbuilt Korea and won’t be eligible for the complete tax incentives that many American-built EVs take pleasure in. There’s a lease loophole to squeeze previous a few of these restrictions, although. Manufacturing and meeting will ultimately happen in Kia’s new vegetation in Georgia over the subsequent couple of years, at which level they need to be eligible for tax incentives.

The longer term can even convey modifications in regard to charging. Kia and Hyundai have joined BMW, GM, Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis in a still-unnamed conglomerate cost community. This new community has the promise to enhance the present patchwork of unreliable non-Tesla public chargers.

With this in thoughts, together with future options and incentives, some buyers could also be tempted to delay an EV9 buy, and we would not blame them. The factor is, the 2024 Kia EV9 is prone to be the one EV with an really helpful third row that does not include a luxurious badge and sky-high value. In the interim, options are restricted to the Rivian R1S and closely flawed Tesla Mannequin X that begin round $80,000 (to not point out the six-figure Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV). We would be shocked if the EV9 prices as a lot as these.

Maybe to sweeten the deal, buyers who place a $1,000 deposit down on an early-October reservation will get just a few helpful presents. These embody a house charger (or cellular cost wire if you have already got a charger), three years of complimentary upkeep, a to-be-determined charging credit score and some included options on demand.

Primarily based on our experiences with the 2024 Kia EV9, it has the potential to dominate the EV house in the identical means the Telluride dominated its class. With head-turning fashion, good tech and the flexibility to ship every thing three-row SUV buyers require, there actually is not a direct rival. You’d both need to downsize to a smaller car or spend way more for one of many aforementioned options. For now, it is the one alternative that additionally occurs to be an excellent alternative.

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