We spent a week and 612 miles with Kia’s all-new three-row EV9 in GT-Line AWD trim, using it for school runs, a 210-mile highway trip, and two DC fast-charge sessions to see how this headline family EV performs beyond the spec sheet.
Our test car was a 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD on 21-inch wheels, using the 99.8 kWh battery and dual motors rated at 379 hp and 443 lb-ft (516 lb-ft with the optional Boost feature). EPA range for this configuration is 270 miles. It rides on an 800V architecture supporting up to 236 kW DC fast charging and 11 kW AC home charging. Tow rating is 5,000 lb when properly equipped.
Inside, it’s a true three-row with 20.2 cu ft of cargo behind the third row and a flat floor that eases loading. Testing spanned mixed suburban routes, a sustained 70-mph highway loop, and a mild mountain pass (net 2,300 ft elevation gain), with ambient temps from 44°F to 78°F and light crosswinds. We carried four adults, two kids, and weekend luggage on the highway leg. Two DC sessions were completed on a 350-kW station, and we logged instrumented acceleration and braking using a GPS data logger.
Performance is quietly authoritative. With Boost engaged, we measured 0–60 mph in 5.1 seconds; without it, 5.7 seconds. Brake performance is solid for a 5,800-lb SUV, stopping from 60–0 mph in 127 feet with no meaningful fade after three consecutive runs. Body control is commendable—there’s noticeable roll, but e-AWD shuffles torque smoothly, helping the EV9 feel smaller than it is on fast sweepers.
Steering is light yet accurate, and the adaptive damping in GT-Line strikes a good middle ground between compliance and control. Ride quality trends firm on the 21s, especially over sharp-edged potholes, but settles at highway speeds with minimal secondary motions. Cabin isolation is strong: we recorded 67 dBA at a steady indicated 70 mph on coarse asphalt. Regeneration is adjustable via paddles from coasting to near one-pedal driving, and the blended brakes are among the more natural-feeling in the segment.
The driver aids (Highway Driving Assist 2) held center confidently and executed lane changes when prompted, erring on the cautious side with clear hand-on-wheel prompts. Energy use averaged 2.4 mi/kWh over our full test, translating to a realistic 240–255 miles at 70 mph in mild temps for this AWD/21-inch setup. Peak DC charge observed was 224 kW, with a 10–80% session taking 27 minutes after the pack was preconditioned via the native nav. A 30–80% top-up took 18 minutes.
Home charging at 48A added roughly 32 miles of range per hour; a 10–100% overnight refill took 9.5 hours. Note that optimal preconditioning requires setting the charger as a destination in the built-in navigation. Usability is a highlight. The second-row captain’s chairs are plush and adult-friendly; the third row fits kids comfortably and adults for short hops.
There are LATCH anchors in the second row, and the flat load floor plus the power-fold third row simplify cargo swaps. The twin 12.3-inch displays and dedicated climate strip keep interactions straightforward, and the 360-degree camera is crisp with helpful transparent-chassis views for tight parking. V2L output (up to 1.9 kW) powered a laptop, mini-fridge, and camping lights without complaint on a long weekend. Overall, the EV9 delivers the family-space promise with premium road manners and charging performance that holds up in the real world.
If you road-trip frequently, the AWD/21-inch combination’s range penalty is worth noting—buyers chasing maximum highway range should consider a RWD trim on smaller wheels. For most families with home charging, the GT-Line’s blend of comfort, tech, and capability makes it one of the most convincing three-row EVs on sale.
