Kia EV9 Long-Term Review: A Worthy Electric Family SUV

The 2024 Kia EV9 Land proved to be a delightful electric three-row SUV over 17,265 miles, offering comfort, retro-futuristic style, and modern connectivity akin to Tesla but with intuitive controls. Its consistent dependability was a major highlight. Despite an initial $74,520 sticker price (now $71,810 for a 2026 model), the author concluded it offered exceptional value compared to other three-row EVs, especially given its extensive features.

The Land trim, one step below the GT-Line, is generously equipped with heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel, dual sunroofs, and a 14-speaker Meridian audio system. The monochromatic gray interior, though sterile to some, featured excellent materials and impressive build quality, withstanding the abuse of toddlers with minimal wear. A minor issue involved two broken rubber armrest nubs, which were backordered for warranty replacement.

Performance-wise, the EV9 Land, powered by a 99.8-kWh battery and a 379-hp dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain, impressed. It achieved 270 miles in a 70-mph range test and fast-charged 134 miles in just 15 minutes. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, further reduced to 4.6 seconds with a downloadable torque upgrade. While not overtly agile, its handling competently managed the punchy powertrain.

Practically, the EV9 excels. It comfortably accommodates adults in all three rows, though luggage space is tight when fully occupied. More often used as a two-row SUV, it offered a cavernous cargo hold perfect for family gear. The small frunk neatly stores charging cables. Operating at an average efficiency of 2.2 miles per kilowatt-hour, it cost $0.13 per mile to run, slightly cheaper than a gas Kia Telluride, helping to offset some of its higher upfront cost and depreciation while offering the convenience of home charging.

Winter road trips with toddlers presented the biggest test. An 1,100-mile Thanksgiving journey in freezing temperatures, combined with the strategy of not charging to 100%, extended travel times due to more frequent stops, some dictated by the kids' needs. However, the family didn't complain, finding the frequent breaks manageable. The author noted significant improvements in public charging infrastructure during the test, including access to reliable Pilot/EVgo stations and later, 21,500 Tesla Superchargers, which, despite operating at slightly lower efficiency for the EV9, greatly enhanced convenience.

Kia's digital integration, taking cues from Tesla, was generally positive. Features like using a phone as a key, cabin preconditioning, and over-the-air updates improved the experience. While not as seamless as Tesla's or Rivian's (e.g., built-in route planner limitations), the Kia Access app positions the brand ahead of many legacy automakers. Some software glitches occurred, such as the digital gauge cluster failing to boot or a system outage disrupting app access and navigation, but these were deemed nuisances, not dealbreakers, as the vehicle remained mechanically flawless and never stranded the family. The EV9 also retains traditional physical controls alongside its tech, offering a welcome balance.

The only truly disappointing experience was the first service visit at LaFontaine Kia. A simple tire rotation and inspection (owner's manual recommended $30, one hour) ballooned into a $322 bill for added, unnecessary services, including a botched alignment. This mirrored previous MotorTrend experiences with Kia long-termers and common customer complaints about Kia's service network. A subsequent visit to Kia of Canton, however, was flawless, adhering precisely to the owner's manual recommendations.

In conclusion, the Kia EV9 itself is highly recommended for its spaciousness, style, comfort, performance, and user-friendly blend of advanced tech and traditional controls. The everyday EV experience, with cheap home charging and quick cabin warming, easily outweighs the occasional longer road trip. However, the author strongly advises potential buyers to "shop the car and the dealer." While Kia delivers incredible value in its vehicles, its dealer network's inconsistency remains a significant hurdle that the brand needs to address to match the quality of its products like the EV9.