Discuss a daring assertion.
Kia’s third electrical automobile (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 worth… at the very least 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 really this entry-level Air that makes essentially the most sense?
The Air stands out as 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 every of simply 5 autos on sale in Australia right this moment 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 examine?
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 price?
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 below $100,000 earlier than on-road prices.
| Mannequin | Value 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 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument.
What’s the Kia EV9 Air like on the within?
For those who thought the skateboard design of the EV9’s E-GMP structure would imply class-leading area effectivity, you’d be mistaken.
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 common place, my knees had been pressed firmly in opposition to their backs after I sat within the third row.
A minimum of headroom is nice, and there are many facilities – roof-mounted air vents, a pair of USB-C retailers, and cupholders. Just like the second row, it additionally reclines.
Regardless of this considerably disappointing third row area, boot area behind the third row is 333L – tremendous 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 retailers 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 facet 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 youngster seats within the second row, plus prime tether and ISOFIX factors for the 2 rearmost seats. The latter isn’t one thing each massive SUV can boast.
The EV9 doesn’t appear like another Kia inside. The usage of smooth-grained, soft-touch plastics is harking back 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 prefer to see some soft-touch trim for the perimeters 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 capabilities 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 large shelf with a rubberised floor.
The one factor that might make this higher is that if the centre console may slide again to permit occupants to cross from one facet of the automobile 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 nevertheless, just like the subtly patterned trim stretching throughout the sprint that includes touch-capacitive shortcut buttons for capabilities 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 continues to be properly outfitted. You get heated and ventilated entrance seats and a heated steering wheel, whereas the display screen setup is similar 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 screen is in an ungainly spot, blocked by the steering wheel rim. Whereas the digital instrument cluster has neat graphics, the totally 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 enticing, response occasions 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 will 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 space for storing below the bonnet, 38L bigger than different EV9s as a result of absence of a entrance electrical motor. It’s rated to hold 40kg, and contains an adjunct internet.
We’re disillusioned 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 automotive to cost your laptop computer.
| Dimensions | Kia EV9 Air |
|---|---|
| Size | 5010mm |
| Width | 1980mm |
| Peak | 1755mm |
| Wheelbase | 3100mm |
| Floor clearance | 177mm |
| Cargo capability | 333L (all seats up) 828L (third row stowed) 2318L (second and third rows stowed) 90L (below bonnet) |
To see how the Kia EV9 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument.
What’s below the bonnet?
Kia doesn’t specify the utmost DC cost charge for the EV9, however says it would 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 charge | 7kW (single-phase) 10.5kW (three-phase) |
To see how the Kia EV9 traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument.
How does the Kia EV9 Air drive?
You possibly can 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 automobile in spite of everything. 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 additional weight would stifle efficiency.
Nonetheless, 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 had been anticipating the Air to really feel fairly totally 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, nevertheless, there’s little distinction in trip high quality between the 2. There’s nonetheless good physique management and a powerful lack of influence harshness. You’ll hear muffled thumps over bumps and ruts, however the trip isn’t upset by them.
Solely whenever you get onto an unsealed street does it really feel a bit extra terse, however general it’s nonetheless snug. Kia engineers have accomplished 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 beautiful and quiet, proving properly insulated from street noise even throughout coarse-chip surfaces.
This could 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 automobile to an entire cease when you let off the accelerator, nevertheless it’s not essentially the most aggressive system round. It additionally must be re-activated every time you begin the automobile, although that is accomplished with a easy flick of a shift paddle.
The Air has the bottom vary (however best vitality effectivity) of any EV9. We noticed vitality consumption of 20-22kWh/100km within the GT-Line, however the Air was round 17-18kWh/100km.
By way of the driving force help programs, the driving force consideration monitoring proved typically correct at detecting after I regarded away, whereas the lane help programs are among the many most proficient but additionally essentially the most assertive on the market.
The overspeed alert is annoying and defaults to on each single time you activate the automobile. 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, moreover the additional energy and all-wheel drive, however the absence of a surround-view digicam on a $97,000 automobile grates. The Air additionally does with out Kia’s intelligent Blind Spot View Monitor.
A surround-view digicam, as a substitute of a easy reversing digicam, would make the EV9 Air simpler to park. And this large bus already has a protracted wheelbase working in opposition to it in that respect. Regardless of sufficiently mild steering, the EV9 continues 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:
- Automobile 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 strain 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 screen
- 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 retailers (two for every row)
- 2 x 12V retailers (one up entrance, one within the boot)
- 9 x cupholders
Is the Kia EV9 Air secure?
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) |
| Weak street consumer safety | 48.42 out of 63 (76 per cent) |
| Security help | 15.43 out of 18 (85 per cent) |
Normal security gear throughout the vary contains:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Automobile, pedestrian, bike 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
- Protected exit help
- Clever velocity restrict help
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Main automobile departure alert
- Rear occupant alert (sensor-based)
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
- Twin entrance airbags
- First- and second-row facet airbags
- Entrance centre airbag
- Curtain airbags for all three rows
How a lot does the Kia EV9 Air price to run?
| Working prices | Kia EV9 Air |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 7 years, limitless kilometres (automobile) 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 |
| Complete capped-price service price | $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 worth parity with equally sized combustion-powered SUVs – even the costliest Hyundai Palisade is below $80,000 earlier than on-roads. For those who’re not set on going EV, then that could be a deal breaker.
Evaluate it to different electrical SUVs and even different EV9s, although, and it appears 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 digicam.
Sure the EV9’s third row may be bigger and its worth decrease, however we got here away impressed with the best way this drives regardless of its modest outputs.
These idea automotive appears additionally make the EV9 stand out in a great way, which ought to assist it stay in rivalry with consumers when rival manufacturers lastly enter the section.
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