THE Car guide drove the KIA EV9 electric SUV on the test tracks at the Hyundai Proving Grounds in the Mojave Desert in California, not far from the legendary Edwards Air Force Base. Although this test took place on a closed circuit, and not on public roads, we learned a lot about this electric vehicle with three rows of seats, the first examples of which should arrive on our market towards the end of the fourth quarter from 2023 as 2024 models.
For the moment, the brand’s Canadian management is not able to specify the price range of the Kia EV9, which will not be revealed until October 2023, or the allocation reserved for the Canadian market. We do know, however, that 500 units have already been reserved by customers during an online reservation operation, an operation which was also limited to 500 units.
One battery, four versions
In certain markets, the buyer of an EV9 will have the choice between a 76.1 kWh or 99.8 kWh battery, but in Canada only the large capacity battery is on the program, where the buyer will have the choice between four versions of the EV9. The entry-level one called Wind is powered by a single electric motor with 201 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. Its range is estimated at 480 kilometers according to the manufacturer, making it the version with the greatest range.
Kia expects the two-motor Land version to be the most popular in the lineup with its 379 horsepower engine, 443 lb-ft of torque and 442 kilometers of range. A Land Premium version with higher equipment is also on the program, as is the two-motor GT Line whose torque is increased to 516 lb-ft and the range is reduced to 434 kilometers.
Photo: KIA
Note that the Wind and Land versions offer seven seats, while the Land Premium and GT-Line have six. As the EV9 is equipped with an 800-volt electrical system, recharging from 10 to 80% is done in 25 minutes when the vehicle is connected to a fast charging station. The EV9 also has a V2L device allowing you to power accessories or even a home with power in the event of a power outage.
A large playground
The Hyundai Proving Grounds is a huge 4,500-acre complex with 120 kilometers of asphalt roads as well as trails to evaluate vehicle behavior on several types of surfaces. For this first contact, we took the wheel of pre-production prototypes to complete several laps of the road circuit and the high-speed oval track, in addition to evaluating the EV9 on a test track with zones of acceleration and braking as well as a slalom, then travel on sandy paths.
Photo: Gabriel Gelinas
On the twisty road course, the EV9 showed remarkable poise with 0.84 G of lateral acceleration, putting it ahead of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. Several driving modes are available, and the EV9 adopts sharper road behavior by reducing roll in Sport mode.
On the oval track at a speed of 180 km/h, we noted the quietness of the ride, the EV9 having soundproof glazing and an excellent aerodynamic coefficient of 0.28 despite its large frontal area. On both circuits, we tested the advanced system Highway Driving Pilot, which integrates 15 sensors – including two of the lidar type. Keeping in the center of the lane has proven particularly effective by maintaining a straight trajectory and following the center of the lane when turning, even at speeds well above the limits permitted on marked roads.
The test on the acceleration, slalom and braking area allowed us to push the EV9 further. Initial acceleration of the two-motor EV9 GT-Line is swift but not astonishing, with a time of 5.3 seconds for 0 to 100 km/h. For its part, the single-motor version will take more than 9 seconds. In the fast slalom, the body movements are well controlled despite a high mass, and the braking is up to the task with a stopping distance shorter than that of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
Photo: KIA
The EV9 was not designed to be a crossing champion, however its ground clearance of 7.8 inches allows it to move with confidence in off-road driving where the efficiency of electronically controlled all-wheel drive, as well as the use of Snow mode, allowed us to ride without worry on sandy trails. The EV9 is also equipped with an automatic hill descent control system, which has proven to be very effective. It should also be noted that the towing capacity is 5,000 pounds on the two-engine versions.
The dimensions of the EV9 are comparable to those of the Kia Telluride SUV with a thermal engine, but its wheelbase is 20 centimeters longer, which makes its interior more spacious. The EV9 also inaugurates the manufacturer’s new design language with very angular lines as well as very pronounced shoulders and wheel arches. Note that the GT-Line version adopts specific shields. The EV9 rides on 19, 20 or 21-inch rims depending on the version and several body colors are available. However, matte finish colors will not be available for 2024 EV9s sold in Canada.
Photo: KIA
A very spacious SUV
The headroom afforded to second-row passengers is excellent, and even the third-row seats are comfortable. Two 12.3-inch touch screens are located on the dashboard, backlit keys give quick access to various features and a 708-watt Meridian audio system with 14 speakers is in the options catalog. USB-C sockets are present in each seat, and the loading volume increases from 566 liters with all seats in place to more than 2,300 liters with the backrests lowered. The EV9 is also equipped with a front trunk whose volume is reduced on the two-engine versions.
Photo: KIA
In the United States, the first customers who have made a reservation will be offered a free charging station, credit for charging at public terminals, and three years of maintenance. The brand’s Canadian management was not able to specify whether this offer will be made to the first buyers here, but says it wants to take inspiration from it.
Kia’s electric vehicle offerings will increase rapidly over the next few years. The mid-size EV5, built and launched recently in China, will join the brand’s North American lineup of seven electric vehicles by 2027. To accommodate anticipated demand for the EV9, Kia plans manufacture it at its American factory in West Point, Georgia. On the other hand, the first models intended for the Canadian market will come from South Korea. We can hope that the production capacity of the EV9 in North America will eventually allow the allocation for the Canadian market to be increased, but that remains to be seen…