Discuss a daring assertion.
Kia’s third electrical car (EV) in Australia is that this, the EV9.
Launched late in 2023 to affix the smaller Niro and EV6, the EV9 is an electrical SUV with a Toyota LandCruiser-sized physique and an enormous value… no less than for a Kia.
We’ve beforehand examined the mid-range Earth and top-spec GT-Line and are available away largely impressed, however is it truly this entry-level Air that makes probably the most sense?
The Air could be the most inexpensive member of the Kia EV9 household, however that is nonetheless value greater than $100,000 drive-away.
That’s some huge cash regardless of the badge on the nostril, though the EV9 nonetheless has primarily no direct competitors – it’s one in all simply 5 autos on sale in Australia immediately to supply an electrical powertrain and three rows of seating.
The others are the significantly smaller Mercedes-Benz EQB, the significantly dearer EQS SUV, and two individuals movers: the LDV MIFA 9 and Mercedes-Benz EQV.
How does the Kia EV9 evaluate?
View an in depth breakdown of the Kia EV9 in opposition to equally sized autos.
Kia
EV9
How a lot does the Kia EV9 Air value?
There are three members of the EV9 household, with the Air being the one one with out all-wheel drive… and the one one to slip beneath $100,000 earlier than on-road prices.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2024 Kia EV9 Air | $97,000 |
| 2024 Kia EV9 Earth AWD | $106,500 |
| 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD | $121,000 |
To see how the Kia EV9 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
What’s the Kia EV9 Air like on the within?
When you thought the skateboard design of the EV9’s E-GMP structure would imply class-leading house effectivity, you’d be unsuitable.
The third row doesn’t really feel as spacious as in a Hyundai Palisade, and also you’ll want to slip the second-row seats ahead to suit adults again right here. With the second row in its ordinary place, my knees have been pressed firmly in opposition to their backs once I sat within the third row.
No less than headroom is nice, and there are many facilities – roof-mounted air vents, a pair of USB-C shops, and cupholders. Just like the second row, it additionally reclines.
Regardless of this considerably disappointing third row house, boot house behind the third row is 333L – advantageous for a three-row crossover, however not distinctive. Drop the third row and this expands to 828L, after which drop this and it expands to 2318L.
What the devoted EV structure does convey is a totally flat ground for the second row, which gives an abundance of legroom and headroom.
There are USB-C shops on the entrance seatbacks, cupholders within the fold-down centre armrest, and air vents within the B-pillars, whereas there’s a cavernous (if darkish) storage space on the rear of the centre console.
There are even controls on the aspect of the entrance passenger seat to permit second-row occupants to maneuver it ahead and backwards.
There are three prime tether and two ISOFIX anchor factors for baby seats within the second row, plus prime tether and ISOFIX factors for the 2 rearmost seats. The latter isn’t one thing each giant SUV can boast.
The EV9 doesn’t seem like some other Kia inside. Using smooth-grained, soft-touch plastics is paying homage to the associated Hyundai Ioniq 5. Whereas this implies it doesn’t look low cost, the EV9 additionally doesn’t look significantly luxe for one thing costing this a lot.
We’d additionally wish to see some soft-touch trim for the edges of the centre console, the place your knees make contact.
The dashboard is easy, with minimal bodily switchgear. This features a row of bodily buttons for features just like the local weather management, in addition to a metallic curler wheel for audio quantity.
There’s a split-level centre console, with a floating, high-mounted part that includes cupholders and a handful of switches, in addition to a piece successfully at ground stage which is one massive shelf with a rubberised floor.
The one factor that might make this higher is that if the centre console might slide again to permit occupants to cross from one aspect of the car to the opposite, à la the pre-update Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Materials selections are typically good, such because the gray cloth headliner, dashboard garnish and metal-look accents, however the Air feels extra austere than pricier EV9s with its grey-on-grey color scheme and lack of vibrant ambient lighting.
There are some neat particulars nonetheless, just like the subtly patterned trim stretching throughout the sprint that comes with touch-capacitive shortcut buttons for features just like the satellite tv for pc navigation, which function haptic suggestions.
It could lack options like ambient lighting, a head-up show and twin sunroofs, however the Air’s inside remains to be properly outfitted. You get heated and ventilated entrance seats and a heated steering wheel, whereas the display setup is equivalent to dearer EV9s.
That includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with a 5.0-inch local weather management touchscreen between them.
The local weather display is in an ungainly spot, blocked by the steering wheel rim. Whereas the digital instrument cluster has neat graphics, the completely different themes all look just about the identical and there’s no map view obtainable.
The infotainment system is extra spectacular, although we’re stunned you continue to want a cable to connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The graphics are engaging, response instances fast, and menus intuitive.
There’s loads of storage, headlined by a cavernous glovebox and an expansive shelf beneath the centre console. The flipside is the centre console bin is kind of small, and we’d commerce just a little uncovered storage for extra hid storage.
Two cupholders within the centre console may be retracted to kind a extra open storage space. Alternatively, you’ll be able to conceal them beneath a curler cowl.
There’s an illuminated 90L cupboard space beneath the bonnet, 38L bigger than different EV9s because of the absence of a entrance electrical motor. It’s rated to hold 40kg, and consists of an adjunct internet.
We’re disenchanted there’s no spare tyre, with solely a tyre mobility equipment, however we’re delighted there’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality so you’ll be able to, for instance, use the automobile to cost your laptop computer.
| Dimensions | Kia EV9 Air |
|---|---|
| Size | 5010mm |
| Width | 1980mm |
| Top | 1755mm |
| Wheelbase | 3100mm |
| Floor clearance | 177mm |
| Cargo capability | 333L (all seats up) 828L (third row stowed) 2318L (second and third rows stowed) 90L (beneath bonnet) |
To see how the Kia EV9 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Kia doesn’t specify the utmost DC cost price for the EV9, however says it is going to take 20 minutes to cost from 10 to 80 per cent on a 350kW charger. On a 50kW charger, it’ll take 63 minutes.
| Specs | Kia EV9 Air |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 76.1kWh lithium-ion |
| Energy | 160kW |
| Torque | 350Nm |
| Pushed wheels | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2312kg (tare) |
| Braked towing capability | 900kg |
| Unbraked towing capability | 450kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.2 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 19.5kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as examined) | 18.3kWh/100km (blended loop) 17.6kWh/100km (after per week) |
| Claimed vary | 443km (WLTP) |
| Max AC cost price | 7kW (single-phase) 10.5kW (three-phase) |
To see how the Kia EV9 strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
How does the Kia EV9 Air drive?
You’ll be able to positively discover the distinction in efficiency between the rear-wheel drive Air and its all-wheel drive siblings.
The place the GT-Line shoves you again in your seat, the Air is extra sedate.
There’s nonetheless loads of punch off the road – it’s an electrical car in any case. However the Air by no means feels significantly fast, one thing borne out by its 8.2-second 0-100km/h time.
Sadly, we didn’t get an opportunity to drive the EV9 with seven occupants on board to see how a lot this further weight would stifle efficiency.
However, it’s already a heavy beast – tare weight is 2312kg, with the battery alone weighing 463.3kg.
Given the GT-Line rides on huge 21-inch alloy wheels, we have been anticipating the Air to really feel fairly completely different when it comes to trip high quality because it rides on 19s.
We didn’t have any complaints concerning the trip within the GT-Line, however the presence of smaller wheels would recommend the Air may really feel considerably extra pliant.
In actuality, nonetheless, there’s little distinction in trip high quality between the 2. There’s nonetheless good physique management and a formidable lack of impression harshness. You’ll hear muffled thumps over bumps and ruts, however the trip isn’t upset by them.
Solely once you get onto an unsealed highway does it really feel a bit extra terse, however general it’s nonetheless snug. Kia engineers have finished a wonderful job right here, particularly contemplating there’s no adaptive or air suspension on any EV9.
Additionally spectacular is the extent of refinement. The cabin is gorgeous and quiet, proving properly insulated from highway noise even throughout coarse-chip surfaces.
This may be the scale of a LandCruiser and weigh over two tonnes, however the EV9 is impressively nimble. The steering has a pleasant, progressive weighting to it, and the EV9 feels a lot smaller than its dimensions recommend.
There’s a one-pedal drive mode that may convey the car to an entire cease when you let off the accelerator, but it surely’s not probably the most aggressive system round. It additionally must be re-activated every time you begin the car, although that is finished with a easy flick of a shift paddle.
The Air has the bottom vary (however best power effectivity) of any EV9. We noticed power consumption of 20-22kWh/100km within the GT-Line, however the Air was round 17-18kWh/100km.
By way of the driving force help methods, the driving force consideration monitoring proved typically correct at detecting once I appeared away, whereas the lane help methods are among the many most proficient but additionally probably the most assertive on the market.
The overspeed alert is annoying and defaults to on each single time you activate the car. When you can program a shortcut button on the steering wheel to take you to the menu to deactivate it, it’s nonetheless an absolute ache.
The answer within the up to date Hyundai Tucson – the place you’ll be able to simply maintain down a steering wheel button to show it off – is being rolled out as an OTA replace to the EV9 and different members of the Kia vary.
It’s disappointing the Air foregoes some gadgets discovered within the Earth and GT-Line.
We’d perceive Kia has to provide a purpose to step as much as these fashions, apart from the additional energy and all-wheel drive, however the absence of a surround-view digital camera on a $97,000 car grates. The Air additionally does with out Kia’s intelligent Blind Spot View Monitor.
A surround-view digital camera, as a substitute of a easy reversing digital camera, would make the EV9 Air simpler to park. And this massive bus already has a protracted wheelbase working in opposition to it in that respect. Regardless of sufficiently gentle steering, the EV9 remains to be a bit awkward in a carpark.
What do you get?
The Air is the entry-level mannequin within the EV9 vary.
EV9 Air highlights:
- Car to Load (V2L) inside socket
- Battery conditioning with warmth pump
- Eco, Regular, Sport and customized drive modes
- 19-inch alloy wheels in Kumho/Nexen 255/60 R19 tyres
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Tyre mobility equipment
- Electrochromic rear-view mirror
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Computerized high-beam
- Computerized LED headlights
- Keyless entry and begin
- Distant begin
- Seven seats
- Leatherette upholstery
- 8-way power-adjustable entrance seats with 2-way energy lumbar
- Sliding and reclining second-row seats
- Energy-folding second row
- 60:40 break up/fold second-row seats
- 50:50 break up/fold third-row seats
- Reclining third-row seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated entrance seats
- Ventilated entrance seats
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Kia Join Telematics
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 5.0-inch local weather display
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8-speaker sound system
- Tri-zone local weather management
- DAB digital radio
- Fingerprint authentication
- Wi-fi cellphone charger
- 6 x USB-C shops (two for every row)
- 2 x 12V shops (one up entrance, one within the boot)
- 9 x cupholders
Is the Kia EV9 Air protected?
The Kia EV9 has a five-star security ranking from ANCAP with a 2023 date stamp.
| Class | Kia EV9 |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 33.65 out of 40 (84 per cent) |
| Baby occupant safety | 42.65 out of 49 (87 per cent) |
| Susceptible highway consumer safety | 48.42 out of 63 (76 per cent) |
| Security help | 15.43 out of 18 (85 per cent) |
Commonplace security tools throughout the vary consists of:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Automobile, pedestrian, bicycle owner detection
- Junction turning/crossing help
- Direct/oncoming lane change detection
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Blind-spot help
- Lane-keep help
- Lane Following Help (lane centring)
- Freeway Drive Help 2 with Lane Change Help
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Secure exit help
- Clever pace restrict help
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Main car departure alert
- Rear occupant alert (sensor-based)
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Reversing digital camera
- Twin entrance airbags
- First- and second-row aspect airbags
- Entrance centre airbag
- Curtain airbags for all three rows
How a lot does the Kia EV9 Air value to run?
| Operating prices | Kia EV9 Air |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres (car) 7 years, 150,000km (battery, electrical motor) |
| Service intervals | 12 years or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 3-, 5- or 7-year pre-paid plans |
| Whole capped-price service value | $706 (3 years) $1351 (5 years) $1997 (7 years) |
CarExpert’s Tackle the Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 Air makes a reasonably compelling case for itself.
It’s nowhere close to value parity with equally sized combustion-powered SUVs – even the most costly Hyundai Palisade is beneath $80,000 earlier than on-roads. When you’re not set on going EV, then which may be a deal breaker.
Evaluate it to different electrical SUVs and even different EV9s, although, and it seems nice. Different three-row electrical SUVs are both a lot smaller or a lot, a lot pricier.
Whereas different EV9s add extra efficiency and options, the Air is fairly strong on each counts although we want it had a surround-view digital camera.
Sure the EV9’s third row is also bigger and its value decrease, however we got here away impressed with the way in which this drives regardless of its modest outputs.
These idea automobile seems additionally make the EV9 stand out in a great way, which ought to assist it stay in rivalry with patrons when rival manufacturers lastly enter the section.
Thinking about shopping for a Kia EV9? Get in contact with one in all CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here
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