So many of the world's deserts are intensely barren landscapes, but there are more thriving creatures living here than initially meets the eye. What seems like a very hot and sweltering environment can still see many thriving entities taking up residence, but it is still a habitat that can be quite punishing for any EV. California’s legendary Death Valley can reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing chefs of all skill levels to fry eggs on the hoods of their favorite car models!
Before a vehicle can effectively make it to market, it undergoes extreme testing to make sure that any of a slew of technical malfunctions won't take place. Solid powertrain performance and consistent battery power are two of the most important functions to keep an eye on when you notice a few strange mirages around you in the mix! For customers here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis who love every square inch of their exterior appeal, it also means making sure that the paint job will stand up to the inevitable test of time.
The Newsweek.com auto review team agreed that guaranteeing on-point handling dynamics and adjusting the ride softness are two important boxes to check while making a vehicle appealing for North American drivers. Managing the way a vehicle performs during heavy load towing is also crucial to a vehicle’s hard-earned credibility badge for extreme temperatures and environments. The group effectively “doubled down” from the city of slots and sleight-of-hand, where the desolate desert sands meet the glitz and glamor of the Las Vegas Strip.
The Kia EV9 was then towed to Bullhead City, Arizona, where the quite notable Davis Dam presides in the sun as one of the world’s most effective trailering test sites. As the review team cooled off, they let the EV9 soak in heat that was much more than 100 degrees! This ensured that all the electronics, high-tech driving aids, and suspension needed to perform under conditions gnarly enough to make people think twice about their model’s durability. It was now time to simulate a common yet very telling scenario in the very dry and consistent heat.
As the battery had to crank out the juice in the type of climate that is fit for coyotes, desert sidewinders, and desert cottontails, it was now time to assess whether the climate control could effectively keep occupants comfortable. The Edmunds.com review team praised the 2024 Kia EV9 for being, “An excellent choice for families who are ready to transition into the electric realm, without having to compromise on anything.” Fast charging stations will get the battery from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes, which means you can spend much more time driving and less time waiting on long family trips.
The GT-Line blasted up to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, an incredible stat for an EV this large. For the small children along for the ride, the EV9 has LATCH anchors and a rear tether top for each seat. Build quality, amenities, and quality of materials render the EV9 a commendable value when stacked up against other vehicles in its segment. Any new vehicle owner will also enjoy free fast charging to the tune of up to 1,000 kilowatt-hours on the Electrify America network. One verified reviewer who had just driven her new EV9 from San Diego to the mountains for a snow weekend claimed it was, “Amazing on every level, with an interior quality that made for an ideal and comfortable experience.”
