KIA EV9 2024

Are you looking for a 100% electric vehicle capable of carrying more than five occupants? For the moment, in addition to a handful of prestigious models, the Kia EV9 is the only representative of a traditional manufacturer that can meet this need. This futuristic-looking utility vehicle combines three rows of seats with the approximate size of a Kia Telluride, one of the largest mid-size SUVs on sale now. Thanks to a near-100kWh battery, the autonomy easily exceeds 400km in mose versions.

The Kia EV9 currently gives Kia an advantage over its corporate cousin Hyundai, which is used to keeping the South Korean group's “hottest” releases to itself. The IONIQ Seven will restore the balance between the two branches of the company, but not before 2025.

This quasi-monopoly gave Kia a good hand in establishing the price list for the EV9, but fortunately, it did not take too much advantage of the situation. Thus, the Light version retails for $63,044 (transport, preparation and dealer fees included). It qualifies for full electric vehicle government rebates (currently $12,000), as do the better-equipped Wind and Land variants.

In case you didn't know, Quebec's $7,000 rebate will drop to $4,000 on January 1, 2025, then to $2,000 a year later. It will completely disappear in 2027. If you are interested in the EV9 or any other EV, order it soon to hopefully receive it by December 31.

Only the Land trim comes with all-wheel drive. Therefore, you must pay a $5,000 premium over an EV9 Light to obtain this feature often considered essential by Canadian consumers. The long-range battery comes standard with four-wheel drive, but Kia also includes it in the Wind ($66,044), which delivers the maximum range of the series – 489km – because its single motor exclusively powers the rear axle.

In our opinion, it is a better deal than the Light. Not only does it promise to travel 118km more on a full charge, but it adds a heat pump which makes heating much less energy-intensive down to around -10°C. It also comes with a heated steering wheel which, in fact, helps reduce the need for ventilation.

Built in South Korea, the EV9 will also begin rolling out of Kia's West Point, Georgia, plant starting in May 2024.

The Kia EV9 was by far the star of CAA-Quebec's electric vehicle test drives at the 2024 auto shows in Montreal and Quebec City, and it fully deserves all the attention it's getting. After just one encounter, it's clear that this newcomer offers undeniable comfort, space, and practicality. But how will it deliver on its promises in terms of range and charging? Will we struggle to adapt to Kia's new control interface? We can't wait to evaluate the Kia EV9 from every angle in a full test drive.

Watch our complete video review (in French with English subtitles).