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2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line review (video)

With the increased interest in electric cars, a growing chorus of Australians are pining for a fully-electric seven seater vehicle. So far, these calls have remained unheeded but for Kia, with the futuristic and revolutionary EV9 now in Australian showrooms.

While many of us never imagined we’d see the day where Kia would compete in the $90-120k ‘SUV Upper Large <$120K’ segment, here we are, with 156 examples of the highly futuristic technical flagship for the brand finding homes to date this year (through March, according to VFACTS).

The distinctive, undeniably-EV styling of the EV9 splits opinion, but it’s impossible to deny it is very forward-looking and unlike anything else on the market today. A stark front end, devoid of a grille is broken up by sinister robot insectoid-looking LED lights, and interesting geometric patterns throughout. The 21-inch wheels mark the GT-Line as the most distinctive EV9 in the range.

Kia has established a credibility beyond its former budget image, thanks to genuinely engaging products such as the Stinger and Picanto GT. Being one of the first on the scene with a seven-year warranty earned the trust of Australia’s motoring public and paid dividends for sales growth.

With the EV9 pushing well into the six-figure territory, could the EV9’s asking price be stretching Kia’s brand equity a bit too far?

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-rear

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Specifications

Battery: 99.8kWh lithium-ion, 400V/800V
Output: 283kW / 700Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed auto
Drive type: All-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 21×9.0, 285/45
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 2636kg
Power-to-weight: 9.31:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 505km
Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/350kW
0-60km/h: 2.47 seconds*
0-100km/h: 5.02 seconds*
60-110km/h: 3.49 seconds*
1/4 mile: 13.53 seconds at 165.4km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.986g*
100-0km/h braking: 37.80m in 3.10s*
Max deceleration: -1.567g*
Decibel at idle: 23*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 76*
Starting price: $121,000

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: How much does it cost?

Priced from $121,000 (all prices mentioned are before on-road costs), the EV9 GT-Line is far and away the priciest vehicle in Kia’s range. The pricing reflects its position as a premium offering in the electric SUV market, so it had better offer a serious array of tech to back that up – which we will explore later on.

Available comprehensive service packages will go some way to reconciling the initial asking price: $706 for 3 years, $1351 for 5 years, and $1997 for 7 years. Kia’s (up to eight year) roadside assistance package with roadside assistance (contingent on servicing with Kia) is also a deal sweetener. Here is the PDS for Kia’s roadside, which stipulates a free tow to a charging station for EV models.

The GT-Line is the top of a three-tier lineup in Australia, until the EV9 GT performance model comes along. The range opens with the $99,300 EV9 Air, which features a V2L interior plug for appliances, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, a full suite of airbags including a centre one between front occupants and multi-collision braking. A 0-100km/h time of 8.2 seconds is quoted thanks to a single, 160kW/350Nm rear electric motor, with a 76kWh battery yielding 443km range (WLTP).

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-rear power socket 250V

Moving up to the Earth grade expands range to 512km, ups the battery capacity to 99.8kWh with an additional front motor bringing combined system output up to 283kW and 700Nm. Other goodies include surround-view monitoring, blind-spot camera and rear AEB for avoidance of parking prangs. This pushes the asking price up to $106,500. Acceleration improves to a still-impressive 6.0 seconds.

Which brings us to the star of the show: the EV9 GT-Line. While still maintaining the same 283kW/700Nm powertrain and battery pack as the Earth grade, software improvements and a focused ‘Sport mode’ improve acceleration to 5.3 seconds. You also get 21-inch alloys, 14-speaker Meridian audio, a switchable digital rear view mirror, dual sunroofs (well, front sunroof and rear motorised sunshade) and rear cameras in lieu of mirrors – which proved to be a nuisance.

With CCS and Type 2 charging capability, the EV9 has access to a wide range of chargers, Australia-wide. We’d encourage you to check an app such as PlugShare to determine if it’s going to work for your daily, as well as occasional travel requirements.

Being an electric vehicle, refuelling costs can range from minimal – if you install a home charging kit and have a solar array – to reasonable, with up to 69c/kWh for some fast-chargers. While this offers a distinct advantage over combustion-engined vehicles, we’d still like to point out that all EV9s are priced over the more generous $89,332 Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold, compared with the more punitive $76,950 mark for petrol and diesel cars. Nevertheless, there could be potential for rebates if you check your local state’s transport portal.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-interior

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Interior & packaging

Your first ‘handshake’ with the EV9 is the presentation of its flush door handles, programmable as one or two. A proximity remote means no fumbling for keys, with functionality extending to front and rear summoning, remote boot operation with a foot sensor and more.

At first glance inside, the EV9’s cabin reveals a spaceage environment that marries futuristic aesthetics with functional brilliance. The third row offers exceptional headroom and legroom, challenging the notion of compromised rear seating in three-row SUVs – thanks, no doubt, to the flatter floor afforded by the EV-only architecture.

At the heart of the cabin is a floating centre console that exudes modernity, complemented by dual 12.3-inch screens that offer a sleek integration of the vehicle’s controls and infotainment. The climate panel’s layout and positioning remind us of the old EA-EL Falcon – and not in a bad way.

The way this panel breaks up the IP and main infotainment screen is very well executed. USB-C panels are in various nooks and crannies, including the front seatbacks, but the absence of USB-A ports might prove mildly annoying for some.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-rear seats

Seat comfort and adjustability, no matter which pew you choose, is outstanding, with heated and cooled outboard seats ensuring an optimal driving environment, not even mentioning the fantastic massage setting for front occupants. It makes a Tesla feel positively spartan. The twist action gear selector and the intuitive EV on/off button, although initially challenging with direction, eventually become second nature, enhancing the sense of futurism with their novel design.

Aesthetically, the liberal use of buttons instead of lazily delegating it all to touch-screens like other EV manufacturers is a welcome touch, as well as the space utilisation afforded by a flat dash. The panoramic opening roof enhances the feeling of airiness. This is definitely a premium place to be, with plenty of USB ports and space in the back to keep children entertained as well. Other highlights include capacitive touch buttons and biometric finger scanning to access saved driver profiles.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-third row legroom

How safe is the 2024 Kia EV9? With a comprehensive array of airbags and ADAS features, it scored very well in ANCAP’s recent test, the results of which can be found here. We became very annoyed with an overzealous attention monitor, requiring us to apply duct tape to the steering-column mounted sensor. We don’t condone trying this at home, however.

With an 800V architecture, the EV9 is definitely up-to-the-minute and offers a Porsche Taycan-rivalling 350kW maximum charge rate. Things like this go a long way to justifying its price tag, and it means an enormous 232km of range can be added in 15 minutes. Unfortunately, despite this versatility, all the planning via the PlugShare app didn’t account for poor charging etiquette (charger hogs, ICEing) and out-of-order chargers. We wish the app would provide real-time updates about things like this – if you know of an app that caters for this, please comment below.

The vehicle boasts a spacious cabin with external dimensions that span 5015mm in length, 1980mm width, 1780mm height, and on a 3100mm wheelbase, ensuring ample room for all occupants. The third row offers excellent headroom and legroom, with minimal compromise on comfort thanks in part to the sliding second row that adjusts to provide additional space when needed. Boot space varies between 333L-2318L with both rearmost seat rows folded, assisted with electric actuation. Best of all, there is a 52-litre frunk under the bonnet (90L for EV9 Air 2WD).

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-boot

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Powertrain & handling

Sharing the E-GMP electric vehicle architecture which also underpins the Kia EV6 (and Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6), the EV9 benefits from a very fresh and modern platform, which augurs well not only for EV ownership but driving dynamics and technology.

Handling is taken care of via a sophisticated suspension system, featuring strut front suspension with frequency selective dampers and a multi-link rear suspension equipped with self-levelling dampers. The integration of a rack-mounted motor-driven power steering system enhances responsiveness, according to Kia.

These all combine to do a very impressive job of keeping the 2636kg beast composed and riding well at all times, even – dare we say- eager around tight bends as the AWD system masterfully selects the correct wheel to apportion its prodigious power and torque outputs. The questionable choice of paddles to dial up and down the re-gen levels made more sense over hilly terrain, where you learn to build a rhythm between harvesting energy for the battery pack and conservation of momentum.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-Driving Enthusiast

With a kerb weight of 2636kg and a ground clearance of 177mm, the EV9 GT-Line is a heavy beast but we did not have the chance to test its off-road credentials. The SUV features a braked towing capacity of 900kg in RWD form and 2500kg in dual-motor AWD form (such as the GT-Line) – the latter figure should finally put to bed the myth that EV’s can’t tow, though, there would be a significant impost to range with a heavy trailer.

For such a large and heavy vehicle, the Kia EV9 GT-Line offers impressive energy efficiency. Due to its larger 21-inch wheels, the official rating of 22.8kWh/100km is slightly higher than its lesser siblings. We were able to average 21.5kWh over a long trip. This shows the benefit of opting for a dedicated electric vehicle platform for an electric car, rather than an older one which also has to compromise combustion-engined vehicles.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-corner

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Key attractions/reasons to buy

  • Technology: Sitting at the top of the Kia tree, the EV9 GT-Line has all the very latest technology you would expect even from a luxury car brand.
  • Performance and driving dynamics: A very fast 0-100km/h time makes the EV9 feel faster than the weight or size would suggest, with the E-GMP platform proving to be a very accomplished foundation.
  • Interesting and modern design throughout: While some have expressed derision at the appearance, a futuristic car is always going to be polarising. The EV9 has nevertheless won many fans, with its aesthetic now permeating across the Kia range, all the way down to the Picanto supermini.
  • Energy efficiency: Energy consumption is commendably low for such a big and heavy vehicle, indicating a well-engineered electrical architecture and battery cells.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Key considerations before you buy

  • Exterior camera system drawbacks: While innovative, the exterior camera system’s low-resolution feed and awkward positioning can detract from the vehicle’s overall user experience. We’d prefer the option of conventional mirrors like on the Air and Earth variants.
  • Priced out of reach for many: $121,000 is way out of reach for the average Australian, meaning this is a car for affluent early adopters. While Kia’s electric range is soon to proliferate with newcomers such as the EV5, it remains to be seen if the prices will come a bit closer down to Earth.
  • Charging etiquette and lack of real time charging infrastructure: To be fair, this is not the car’s fault, but just showing a major inconvenience of real-world ownership, especially if you want to drive long distances to certain areas. We hasten to add this is improving rapidly, but yearn for an EV charging app with real-time updates.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line-charging

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Verdict

At $120,000, it is priced well out of range for most everyday Australians. Most recent figures suggest the average transaction price for a new car in Australia is $56,886, meaning even the base EV9 Air is out of reach for many. That may be missing the point, as the raison d’être of the EV9 is to be a technological showcase and mission statement for Kia – which it does emphatically.

We just can’t help but think it’s a matter of time before a more affordable seven-seat electric SUV hits our shores, and if more recent trends are any indication, it could well come from Korea’s neighbour to the north.

Kia might be going further in the opposite direction with a sports-focused GT version spied earlier this year. We are sure that it will be a physics-defying firecracker to drive when it comes.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Videos

How does it rate against its rivals?
  • Price
  • Quality look & feel
  • Interior tech
  • Powertrain performance
  • Ride & handling
  • X-factor (does it stand out in its class?)
4

Final word

Being the first mainstream electric seven-seater to hit the Australian market, and a highly accomplished and capable one at that, all the plaudits and praise that have been heaped on the EV9 elsewhere have been well-deserved. It’s a very interesting and novel vehicle with a depth of ability plus one of the more modern electrical systems on the market. Everything from the futuristic exterior and innovative interior exudes the wow factor worthy of a company flagship. However, it is priced out of reach for many Australian, which means it might not be as popular as it could be.

Mitchell Jones

Eccentric car nut and just as enthused by roasting an egg on the air cleaner of an old Hemi as he is hunting the horizon in a space-age electric supercar, Mitchell's passion for motoring started at a young age. He soon developed a meticulous automotive obsession for obscure facts. He joins Driving Enthusiast as a features writer and car reviewer, following a near 10-year stint at PerformanceDrive.

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