We spent a week and 750 miles with a new Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD, using it as a family hauler, commuter, and road-trip rig with multiple DC fast-charge stops. Here’s how the headline-grabbing three-row EV performs when the cameras are off and the miles add up.
Our test car was a 2024 EV9 GT-Line with dual motors (379 hp, 516 lb-ft) and the long-range 99.8 kWh battery. Curb weight hovers near 5,900 lb, with 21-inch wheels on all-season tires and standard all-wheel drive. Conditions ranged from 52–78°F across Southern California city traffic, a 70-mph highway loop, canyon sections, and two sessions on 350-kW public chargers. We also loaded the cabin with five passengers and luggage to probe ride, braking, and efficiency under real family use.
Packaging is the EV9’s ace. The flat floor, a low cowl, and excellent outward visibility make it less intimidating than its blocky silhouette suggests. The second-row captain’s chairs slide far enough to create legitimate third-row knee room, and two carry-on suitcases fit upright behind the third row. Cabin materials look premium without being fussy, and the dual 12.3-inch displays are flanked by a 5-inch climate screen that keeps core functions handy.
Haptic steering-wheel controls are still easy to brush accidentally, but the learning curve is short. Performance is quietly brisk. Our GPS-backed 0–60 mph run averaged 4.6 seconds on a dry, 64°F morning with the battery at 72% state of charge. The EV9 masks its mass well in suburban corners; body motions are well-controlled, and steering is linear if light.
Brake tuning is among the better blends in the segment: paddle-selected regen levels include a true one-pedal i-Pedal mode that will bring the car to a smooth stop, and friction brakes engage predictably during hard deceleration without the mushiness some EVs exhibit. Efficiency and charging are EV9 strong suits. On our 70‑mph loop we averaged 2.5 mi/kWh, translating to a realistic 250–260 miles between charges for this GT-Line (EPA: 270 miles; up to 304 miles for the RWD Long Range). A 10–80% DC fast-charge stop took 23 minutes, peaking at 234 kW and holding above 170 kW to the mid-50% range before taper.
Starting at 15% and ending at 80% added 57 kWh for $26 at $0.46/kWh. At home on a 48A Level 2 (11 kW), a 20–80% refill takes roughly six hours. Practicality checks out. With five aboard and weekend gear, the EV9 remained composed over expansion joints, though the 21-inch tires transmit sharp edges more than the 19s we sampled briefly on a Wind AWD.
Highway Driving Assist 2 centers confidently and executes prompted lane changes smoothly, but it can ping-pong on poorly marked construction zones. Towing is rated up to 5,000 lb with the factory package; our 2,500‑lb utility trailer test over 75 miles cut efficiency to 1.4 mi/kWh, a roughly 40% range hit consistent with rivals. The EV9 feels engineered for real families, not spec sheets: adult-usable third row, fast charging that matches road-trip needs, and performance that’s entertaining without being wasteful. The GT-Line is the quick one, but the Wind AWD with 20-inch wheels is the sweet spot for ride and range.
If you road-trip where 350‑kW stations are common, the EV9 is an easy recommendation over pricier three-row EVs; if you mostly charge at home and rarely tow, it’s even better.
