The imposing Kia EV9 GT blends colossal six-seat practicality with surprising agility and a sportscar-baiting punch. Al Suttie tests the 501hp SUV and highlights five things fleets need to know.

Kia EV9 GT

List price (BiK): £83,780 (4%)   Official economy: 316 miles  Test efficiency: 296 miles

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Takeaway One:

There’s no getting away from the size of the Kia EV9 GT. At a shade over 5-metres in length, it is a big car and feels imposingly large from the driver’s seat. Nothing wrong with that as this is a six-seat SUV, but what’s more impressive to my mind is the way the Kia still manages to feel nimble and deft through town traffic and along country lanes. For what is the sporting model in the EV9 line-up, agility is expected but the ride comfort is also very welcome.

Takeaway Two:

Given there’s 501bhp on tap, the EV9 GT could be a handful when it’s tall-sided and tips the scales at 3.2-tonnes. Again however, the suspension of this SUV does a superb job of keeping it all in check and transmitting the power to the road without drama or fuss. All-wheel drive helps here, naturally, but unlike some other potent four-wheel drive electric SUVs, the Kia refuses to scrabble its tyres or so much as give in to a chirp of rubber when pulling out of junctions.

Takeaway Three:

This particular EV9 GT on test came in six-seat configuration, which adds £1,000 to the overall price of the car. Small beer on a car at this price point, while the six-seat layout further underlines the GT’s blend of luxury and performance. The two centre captain’s chairs offer top notch comfort and there is enough space between them for most passengers to nip through to the third row without the need to electrically slide and tip the middle seats.

Takeaway Four:

The scale of the EV9 GT means the boot still summons up more than enough room for bags and shopping (or dogs) even when all six pews are in use. This ability was proven on more than one occasion during our time with the Kia and it’s an important consideration for anyone considering an SUV with three rows of seats. There’s also a sizeable storage compartment under the boot floor, though it’s much easier to stash the charging cable in the 52-litre ‘frunk’ as it’s quicker to fetch it and the plastic liner is simple to wipe clean if the cable gets mucky from lying on the ground.

Takeaway Five:

You may have gathered we are enamoured with the Kia EV9 GT, though it is not the keenest in its range for leasing costs. That’s for fleet drivers to judge for themselves, but one thing we would change is the slightly odd finish for the cabin trim that runs across the width of the dash. The finish looks like something has been spilt on it and is curiously at odds with the rest of the cabin’s restrained good manners.