Kia EV9 2024 review
Photo: Matti Blume (User:MB-one) (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Few cars have redrawn a brand's image as completely as the Kia EV9. Crowned 2024 UK Car of the Year, it is a full-size, seven-seat electric SUV that stands comparison with the traditional premium establishment, yet starts from around £65,000. At just over five metres long it carries the road presence of a Range Rover, with the silent running of something far smaller.
Underneath sits Kia's E-GMP platform with 800-volt electrics, which means genuinely useful charging behaviour: 10 to 80 per cent in about 24 minutes on a fast enough DC charger. Every UK version uses the same 99.8kWh battery. The rear-driven Air claims up to 349 miles of WLTP range, while the dual-motor GT-Line models trade some of that for 378bhp and a 5.3-second 0-62mph sprint.
The cabin is the EV9's party piece. A flat floor and boxy silhouette liberate real space in all three rows, with adults able to tolerate the rearmost pair on shorter trips. GT-Line S models add second-row captain's chairs that swivel 180 degrees, while twin 12.3-inch displays, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system and materials spun from recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles complete the lounge-like brief.
Running costs are softened by Kia's seven-year/100,000-mile warranty and zero tailpipe emissions, which keep company-car tax at the minimum. It is big, heavy and not exactly wieldy in multi-storey car parks, but as a statement of how far mainstream electric family cars have come, the EV9 remains the benchmark.
Related reviews: Kia Ceed 2024 review · Kia Ev3 2025 review · Kia Ev4 2025 review
UK price from: £65,025
Specifications
| Battery | 99.8 kWh |
| Power | 378bhp (GT-Line S AWD) |
| 0-62 mph | 5.3 seconds |
| Top speed | 124 mph |
| Range (WLTP) | Up to 349 miles (Air RWD); 313 miles (GT-Line S) |
| Charging (DC max) | Up to 350 kW; 10-80% in 24 minutes |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic |
| Drive | All-wheel drive (GT-Line); rear-wheel drive (Air) |
| Seats | 7 |
| Length | 5,010 mm |
| Towing capacity | 2,500 kg (braked) |
| Insurance group | 45E (Air) – 50 (GT-Line S) |
Features
- 99.8kWh battery with 800V architecture; 10-80% DC charge in around 24 minutes
- Up to 349 miles of WLTP range (Air rear-wheel drive)
- Dual-motor GT-Line models: 378bhp, 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds
- Seven seats as standard; 180-degree swivelling second-row chairs on GT-Line S
- Twin 12.3-inch curved displays plus 5.3-inch climate touchscreen
- Highway Driving Assist 2 with hands-on detection and Lane Follow Assist 2
- 14-speaker Meridian premium sound system (GT-Line S)
- 2,500kg braked towing capacity with trailer stability assist
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin pollen filter | £24.99 | Activated carbon type; replace every 2 years or 20,000 miles |
| Front wiper blade set | £34.99 | Flat aero blades; 26in driver / 18in passenger |
| Front brake pads (set) | £89.99 | Genuine-spec ceramic pads; low wear on EVs thanks to regen |
| Front brake discs (pair) | £129.99 | Vented discs; check for corrosion if regen does most braking |
| 12V auxiliary battery | £149.99 | AGM type; powers accessories and contactors |
| 19in alloy wheel | £389.99 | Air trim standard wheel; TPMS sensor not included |
Pros
- Genuine seven-seat space — adults fit in the third row
- 24-minute rapid charging makes long journeys realistic
- Equipment list embarrasses rivals costing twice the price
- Seven-year/100,000-mile warranty brings real peace of mind
Cons
- Air model's 9.4-second 0-62mph feels sedate for £65k
- Just over five metres long — a handful in tight UK car parks
- Ride can feel firm on the 21-inch wheels
- Motorway cruising dents the quoted range noticeably
