It was 3 years ago when Kia made a memorable and inspiring impression on the auto world with our sensational Telluride 3-row SUV. The spacious ride and amazing design quickly reeled in numerous awards and accolades, and the Telluride very firmly claimed its spot as the best in its class. Everything that once worked so well will now be infused with the makings of another Kia masterpiece, as the EV6 rolls excitedly onto the scene. The Autoblog staff were lucky enough to be some of the first to drive the brand-new EV9, with a high desert location north of Los Angeles as a fully involved and challenging proving ground.
After putting the 3-row electric SUV through many tests in a variety of conditions, the team claimed that the EV9 was absolutely the manifestation of “amazingly built lightning striking twice.” The trim lineup consists of Light, Light Long Range, Wind, Land, and GT-Line. The entry-level Light model derives its power from a 76.1 kilowatt-hour battery pack situated in the floor that supplies the juice for the single motor on the rear axle. As EVs have now taken up the spotlight here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis and have been heavily modified since their early days on the drawing board, ranges have gotten higher as technology features have improved.
The range for the new EV9 is estimated by Kia at 223 miles on a full charge, with power output residing at 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This will propel the EV9 up to 60 mph in just 7.7 seconds, which is admirable for any daily driver with a commanding spot in the electric segment. The Light Long Range graduates to the 99.8 kWh battery, with a slightly lower output at 201 horsepower. This will boost things range-wise up to 300 miles, making it the longest-range model in the entire EV9 lineup.
The GT-Line eagerly escapes the gate with 516 lb-ft of torque, and 21-inch wheels, while trotting up to 60 mph in a very brief 5.0 seconds. After an entire afternoon of spirited driving, it was decided that the GT-line offered “immediate acceleration with no drama”, navigating through curves with spectacular confidence and stable push. The group did heed the call of the wild and tested the EV9 on a moderate off-road course, with its short front and rear overhangs helping immensely. Extra-large rocks and deep mud might be a bit daunting, but quickly racing up a steep dirt trail should be simple.
On top of a downright thrilling driving demeanor and instantly charming looks, the EV9 also has some excellent charging numbers. The larger battery can charge at a 215-kW rate on a DC fast charger, taking just 24 minutes to get from a 10 to 80-percent charge. Each EV9 model is equipped with very nice synthetic leather seat upholstery, and the top trims offer heating, massage, and ventilation on the 2nd row captain’s chairs. If the longer journeys coming up on your itinerary see an increase in passenger capacity, there is a second-row bench available on the Light and Wind trims.
