I drove Kia's $78,000 EV9 family SUV. It's pricey, but one of the finest EVs money can buy.

Benjamin ZhangAug 4, 2024, 18:23 IST

The Kia EV9 plugged into a DC fast charger.Benjamin Zhang/Business insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Kia EV9 is an electric three-row family SUV that's all-new for 2024. </li><li>I was impressed by the EV9's driving dynamics, spacious and high-tech cabin, and striking design.</li></ul>The three-row midsize SUV has replaced the minivan and the station wagon as America's preferred form of family transportation.So it's only natural that carmakers would offer family SUVs in <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kia-hybrids-gateway-for-hestitant-buyers-into-evs-2024-6">EV</a> form.Thus far, the three-row electric SUV market has been dominated by premium brands like the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-model-x-suv">Tesla Model X</a>, <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rivian-ugrades-r1-truck-suv-ev-more-power-range-speed-2024-6">Rivian R1S</a>, and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-benz-eqs-suv-review-electric-tesla-rival-2023-2">Mercedes-Benz EQS</a>.This year, Kia became the first mainstream automotive brand to enter the space with its all-new EV9 SUV.

I recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line SUV on the streets of suburban Atlanta.

The Kia EV9 GT-Line in blue.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car came out to $78,430.

The EV9 in GT-Line trim.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Aesthetically, the EV9's designers were inspired by different elements of nature.

The EV9 GT-Line from the side.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9's overall front-end design was inspired by a tiger's face.

The EV9's front grille and LED lights.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Below the front grille is a set of active air flaps.

The EV9's active air flaps.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9's rear-end design is highlighted by its striking LED tailight.

The EV9's LED taillights.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car had these blacked-out, 21-inch wheels.

The EV9 GT-Line's 21-inch wheels.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9 is comparable in size to the Rivian R1S and its corporate sibling, the Kia Telluride.

The EV9's rear facia.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9 is built on Hyundai/Kia's Electric-Global Modular Platform or E-GMP.

Hyundai's E-GMP dedicated EV platform.Hyundai

Kia says the EV9 can charge to 80% in just 24 minutes.

The EV9 plugged into a fast charger.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9 delivered solid performance for a large SUV.

The Kia EV9 GT-Line's front cabin.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9's cabin is a thoroughly pleasant place to be.

The Kia EV9 front dash with dual 12.3-inch digital displays.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The centerpiece of the dash is a large screen that houses three separate displays.

The trio of displays on the EV9's front dash.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

There are set of touch-sensitive buttons on the dash immediately below the screen.

The EV9 touch-sensitive infotainment control panel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Another bad design choice is the placement of the climate control screen.

The EV9's climate control screen from the driver's seat.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The last of the three displays, a 12.3 digital gauge cluster.

The Kia EV9's 12.3-inch digital instrument display.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The shifter lives next to the steering wheel.

The EV9's gear shifter.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

That frees up space in the center console for storage, cupholders, and charging ports.

The EV9's passenger seat with leg rest extended.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

This includes a pair of Kia's trick cup holders that fold away to create additional general storage when not in use.

The EV9's nifty cup holders.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Above is the center console is a smart rear vision camera.

The EV9's rear vision camera display.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9 also has the fanciest driver's seat I've ever come across.

The EV9's driver seat reclined.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9's second row offers a 42.8 inches of leg room.

The EV9's captain's chairs.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

But the real party trick is the Second Row VIP Relaxation Package.

The EV9's second-row VIP relaxation package.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The captain's chairs come equipped with wing-out headrests that fold like on airplane seats.

The EV9's captain's chairs have folding headrests.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My GT-Line test car came with this optional sunroof.

The EV9's dual sunroofs.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9 is equipped with a storage drawer that closes into the back of the center console.

The EV9's rear center console storage drawer.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

And a standard third row.

The EV9's third-row bench.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open the rear liftgate and you'll find 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

The EV9's cargo compartment.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Fold down the second and third-row seats for additional cargo capacity.

The EV9's cargo space with the rear seats folded.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the hood is a small, 1.8 cubic-foot frunk.

The EV9's frunk.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The EV9 is equipped with a complete suite of advanced driver assistance and safety tech.

The EV9's front facia.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My Verdict: The Kia EV9 is a three-family SUV that can go toe-to-toe with the best in the industry.

The EV9's taillight design.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

See inside the first private-jet version of the Boeing 737 Max. The extravagant plane is worth over $100 million and has a bar, two bedrooms, and huge showers.

Cookies on the Business Insider India website