A step up in size and quality for the Korean brand has arrived via its latest offering. As the expansion of Kia’s ‘EV’ lineup continues, John Challen assesses the new flagship.

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WHAT IS IT? Large electric SUV HOW MUCH? From £64,995 RANGE? 313-349 miles TIME TO CHARGE 10-80%? 24 minutes (350kW DC charger)

While drivers wait a while for the recently unveiled EV3, EV4 and EV5 to arrive from Korea, the spotlight falls on the company’s long-awaited (it was first revealed in concept form back in November 2021) EV9 SUV. Touted by some as a rival to a Range Rover, the truth is more akin to a Land Rover Discovery alternative. That’s partly because both products offer seven seats, but also down to Kia executives revealing that there’s already been a lot of conquest business for EV9 from the Disco drivers.

At 5,015mm long and 1,780mm high (with roof bars), EV9 is an imposing machine, but Kia has clearly read the room and sees the future potential in electrified versions of large SUVs, so has the aforementioned Discovery and also Volvo’s forthcoming XC90 in its sights.

To look at, EV9 is quite imposing – and not very ‘Kia’ (in a good way). Bold styling can often win a lot of admirers and the Koreans are hoping that its new range-topper stands out enough to get noticed, talked about and, ultimately, driven. EV9 is the second vehicle in Kia’s range to be built on the company’s e-GMP platform (Electric Global Modular Platform), following the EV6 – the latter model being offered with a larger (99.8kWh) battery.

As you might expect with a car firmly lodged one of the premium automotive segments, there’s a strong selection when it comes to standard equipment. All EV9s boast a three-screen setup (12.3-inch driver display; a navigation system of the same dimensions and a 5.3-inch climate control panel) with connectivity to Android and Apple devices. There’s also wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone air-con, six – yes, SIX – USB-C chargers and LEDs all round.

Every model also comes with a stack of safety tech – as well as the (rather intrusive) beeps, bongs and distractions telling drivers that the limit has changed, they’ve strayed into another lane or that they are not paying enough attention to the road ahead. In no particular order, the standard kit includes: blind spot assist; cross traffic assist; front and rear parking sensors, 360° visibility and nine airbags across the three rows of seats.

Reflecting the current quest for sustainability, Kia has outlined 10 ‘must-haves’ that are included in its big EV. These items range from a bioplastic dashboard console, to cabin floor carpets made from recycled fishing nets, to door switch panels finished in bio paint (made using rape seed oil), to recycled PET yarn and felt, used for the seat stitching and luggage board respectively. In total, each EV9 uses at least 70 recycled bottles in its construction, which is a big nod to Kia’s commitment to reducing waste.

EV9 might be the biggest electric Kia (or any Kia, actually) to arrive in the UK, but it certainly won’t be the last. Under the company’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, there will be a total of nine EVs in the range by 2027.

Which model is right for you?

Drivers have plenty of choice of models and configurations with their EV9. Firstly, if you don’t need or want all seven seats in your EV9, there’s a six-seat option (for an extra £1,000). This version has swivelling seats on the second row to either help with accessibility or to create a ‘social space’ with those seated in the third row.

The three-model lineup kicks off with the rear-wheel drive Air, priced from £64,995 and offering a driving range of 349 miles. This single-motor powertrain offers 203hp and 350Nm of torque and is aimed at those who need the extra mileage on a regular basis. Spec-wise, there’s 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, roof rails, a leather-free cabin and an eight-speaker audio system.

Moving on, the GT-Line range (starting at £73,245) upgrades the wheels (to 21-inch items), the seats (to ‘premium relaxation’ ones) and the steering rake and reach adjustment (with electric power). The powertrain also gets a boost, with dual motor power enabling all-wheel drive and increasing outputs to 383hp and 700Nm of torque.

The range-topping GT-Line S uses the same powertrain as the GT-Line and is a £2,750 price walk from the middle grade, but adds more colour options and a host of extra tech. For example, there’s front and rear sunroofs, a head-up display and an upgraded (to 14-speakers) sound system. Drivers in the market for that six-seat option (priced from £76,995) can only select the GT-Line S.

The verdict

The EV9 hides its mass well, both from inside the car and while out on the road. While there is plenty of space in the first two rows (and an acceptable amount in row three), dynamically, the new addition feels fairly agile and responsive. The ride was a bit firm on some surfaces when tested with 21-inch tyres but, taking into consideration the EV9’s height, the body roll is kept to a minimum. At higher speeds, there’s some tyre and wind noise in the cabin – an issue that doesn’t present itself as much in the urban setting. Driver controls are sensibly laid out and easy to operate, with a nice mix of buttons – haptic and standard – alongside the touchscreen and voice control. While we didn’t hit the claimed average 2.7mpkWh efficiency figure (which means we weren’t really troubling the potential 313-mile range), the cold days in the Scottish Highlands should be taken into consideration here.

The lowdown

Kia EV9

Key fleet model: GT Line ’S’ 7-seat 99.8kWh

Thumbs up: Interior quality, driving dynamics

Thumbs down: Not the most economical, noisy cabin at higher speeds

Seven-word summary: A fine flagship with plenty of potential

Also consider: Audi Q8 e-tron / Land Rover Discovery / Volvo EX90