Their numbers could not be more compelling. The Kia EV9 is a large SUV, with a length of 5.01 meters and a weight of 2.6 tons, it never goes unnoticed. These figures may not seem suitable for daily use, but this car has surprised us with its dynamic agility and ease of driving.
With its new design philosophy, this SUV has an imposing presence, projecting a feeling of robustness and generating admiration in its wake. But what are its greatest virtues? Without a doubt, habitability is one of them, thanks to extraordinary interior dimensions. Thanks to a wheelbase of 3.10 m, both the width and the distance to the roof are outstanding, reminiscent of the sensations generated when entering a large minivan.
The seats are designed to meet different needs. The EV9 can have six or seven seats, depending on the interior configuration chosen by the customer. With the relaxation type seats in the second row, it is possible to recline completely. And with the swivel seat option, those in the second row rotate 180º.
The driving position of the Korean SUV is dominant, offers optimal visibility and has the necessary regulations to satisfy any requirement. Both the steering column and the seat offer multiple possibilities, the instrumentation is very complete and details such as the digital mirrors make the driver's task easier.
The trunk is another section that has convinced us. In seven-seat configuration, corresponding to the unit tested by Moveo La Vanguardia, it offers an initial useful volume of 333 liters. Certainly, it is limited space if all occupants need to carry suitcases, but by folding down the third row, that is, with five seats enabled, the capacity increases dramatically, up to 828 liters.
The tested unit corresponds to the only finish and configuration available in our market, the EV9 AWD GT-Line. It is equipped with two electric motors with a combined power of 283 kW, equivalent to 384 HP. The available thrust is more than notable and its acceleration capacity is impressive for a car of its weight and volume. Stopping the stopwatch in 6 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h is within the reach of few vehicles.
But the EV9 AWD GT-Line goes even further: we can achieve an even higher level of performance with the Boost function, which generates a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 5.3 seconds. In addition, the maximum speed reaches 200 km/h.
Kia decisively faces the well-known autonomy limitations of 100% electric cars. This EV9 has 800-volt ultra-fast charging, which allows it to recover 223 km of autonomy in just 15 minutes. The reality is that, practicing standard driving, it is possible to travel about 400 km. During our test, the average consumption was approximately 25 kWh/100 km, a high figure, but measured in relation to its weight and performance.
The battery used has a capacity of 99.8 kWh and a fast charging system of up to 240 kW allows it to go from 0 to 80% in 25 minutes. The reality is that, currently, it is still very difficult to easily access these types of charging stations. By the way, bidirectional charging can be very useful in the EV9, a technology that allows you to supply electricity to other electrical devices from the car.
If you look at the vehicle, it is difficult to think that it can be an option with enough dynamism to enjoy driving. Nothing is further from reality. The power available and the excellent tuning of the chassis, in addition to a low center of gravity, are factors that allow you to drive with the sensations of a lighter car.
Logically, its movements in the city are conditioned by its size, but it has a notable turning radius and technological aids facilitate the execution of parking maneuvers.
The EV9 spares no effort to be a safe, very safe vehicle. Among the systems present, the driving assistance (ADAS) with intelligent remote parking assistance 2 (RSPA 2) stands out, a technology that allows remote parking, with the remote control, from outside the vehicle.
It also has security systems to protect passengers in the rear seats, such as risk alert when exiting and safe exit assistance. If we stop and another vehicle arrives from behind, the system emits a warning, a sound and activates the door locks to prevent passengers from leaving the vehicle at that moment.
It is necessary to mention that it could soon equip an autonomous highway driving system (Highway Driving Pilot HDP). This technology will allow, in some markets, to reach level 3 of autonomous driving. Up to 15 sensors are capable of scanning objects in a 360º environment.
The price of the EV9 is high. It exceeds 85,000 euros. However, in my opinion it is very reasonable considering what this vehicle offers in return. It is a car that fulfills in all its facets and its standard equipment is very complete.
