Kia is really on the rise when it comes to good electric cars for reasonable money. The Kia EV9 is not an exception or an exaggeration, but actually named the car of the year.

CarsCollection.se must be late to drive the Kia EV9. Because it was already presented in 2022 and came to Sweden in 2023. But now it was still time! The first feeling that occurs when you stand in front of the EV9 is very positive. Unlike many other Kia models, the EV9 inspires weight and actual respect. The shapes are large and substantial, and this is also reflected inside the car when you step into it. There is plenty of space here. So much space that you can actually squeeze seven people in without having to crowd. 

When you as a driver have found your place, which you do relatively quickly, and start the car and roll away, it is incredibly comfortable. Because with the size and the fact that it is electric, it will be a very harmonious ride. You have a clear view around the car and what you cannot see through the windows, cameras around the car can show on the long screen in front of you. So even though the EV9 is relatively large, it is very easy to maneuver. 

Like most other new cars, the Kia EV9 is equipped with the new safety system that virtually all new cars must have according to new regulations within the EU. This means that from each restart a system is reset that warns of extreme speed, too little attention, too high speed if the prevailing speed limit is exceeded. Changing file without signaling and much more. Some of it is of course great, but that everything is on every time you restart the car is anything but okay. For an experienced driver, the system becomes extremely stressful and annoying. Most of the warning functions can be turned off, as I said, but they are then turned on when we restart. Kia has been nice and put a button on the steering wheel that you can program with some of the functions to quickly turn them off when starting the car. And you want to do that, so thank you Kia for that!

But as previously mentioned, you quickly find a comfortable sitting position in the seats, and the driver's seat is no exception. Add there the extended thigh support which will be appreciated on long journeys. You also have both heating and ventilation and, of course, heated steering wheel. So long journeys will not be a problem in the EV9!

Speaking of long trips, I actually took a trip to Gothenburg when I had the EV9. Motorway driving is certainly an environment the EV9 thrives in. Being an electric car, there is always power even if it wears out faster than a fossil car. But you quickly get used to it and instead appreciate that there is always power from the bottom, which it really does. 384 horses to be exact and a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5 seconds and that can actually be seen as very fast for a Korean family car of this size. The range of the Kia EV9 is up to 512 km for the EV9 & EV9 Plus and 505 km for the EV9 GT Line.

When it comes to cargo possibilities, as I said, the Kia EV9 is really spacious. The rear row of seats, if you choose an EV9 with seating for seven people, can be folded. Then the load space in the back is very good and you can fit a lot there, partly thanks to the car's roof height. Also thank the placement of the battery, which is made along the floor, for the good space. So even if the car's weight is a whopping 2.7 tonnes, the car's handling is good thanks to its low center of gravity. Even the shock absorbers on the EV9 do their job well.

If you look at the price and how the EV9 stacks up against its competitors, it is several hundred thousand cheaper than a seven-seater Volvo EX90 and Telsa X, and that can be seen as very good. Another competitor is the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, but then comes the feeling of a minibus. Then we also have the Renault Kangoo, which is available with seven seats, but it is both smaller and simpler. So with that in mind when buying an electric car for the family, the Kia EV9 feels like a very good alternative. After a week and a trip to Gothenburg, I can only give my word and recommendation for the Kia EV9. It is actually a very nice car to both drive and live with. 

Kia EV9

Award

SEK 869,900

Engine

Dual electric motors 384 hp/ 700 Nm

Charging time

with 150kW+ DC (15-80%): 24 minutes

Acceleration

0-100 km/h: 5 seconds

Top speed

200 km/h

Scope

505 km WLTP

Weight

2,700 kg

Dimensions (length/width/height)

5,015/1,980/1,780 mm