An Electric Blue Wonder SUV Leave a comment
Kia’s three-row EV9 GT-Line AWD is the very best general automobile we’ve pushed up to now 12 months. It appears to be like spectacular, has a spacious and cozy cabin, packs the most recent expertise – oh, and it accelerates as shortly as a sports activities automobile. With idea automobile styling, luxurious appointments, stable driving vary, and quick charging, it’s nearly as good as electrical autos get.
The EV9 contains a boxy however streamlined design that maximizes inside house whereas remaining as aerodynamic as doable. To assist scale back wind resistance, it has electrical door handles that collapse flush with the physique. The tricked-out GT-Line variant we drove rolls on gorgeous black 21-inch alloy wheels, has gloss black roof rails and trim and has distinctive entrance and rear styling.
One other notable function that comes with each the EV9 Land and GT-Line grades are headlights that venture their beams from a dozen LED cubes. These are flanked by L-shaped accent lights and might displan animated digital patters behind the painted grille. It is a gorgeous impact at night time, and additional distinguishes the EV9 from each different automobile on the street.
All EV9s however the entry-level Gentle RWD have a big 99.8 kWh battery pack. The only-motor Lengthy-Vary configuration offers as much as 304 miles of driving vary. The Wind AWD and Land AWD can go 280 miles, and the totally loaded GT-Line AWD travels as much as 270 miles between expenses. Its charging system is appropriate with 350 kW DC quick charging and might refill from 10% to 80% cost in as little as 24 minutes. Sadly, our common quick-charge spot was out of service the week we had the EV9, so we ended up at a 62.5 kWh charger, which took about 90 minutes to cost from 50 to 100%. As with every EV, we extremely suggest putting in a Degree 2 residence charger for those who purchase one. An 11kw Degree 2 240-volt charger will juice up the massive battery from 10-100% in about 8 hours and 45 minutes, so give it some thought like recharging your telephone in a single day. We did not get an opportunity to check it in sub-freezing temperatures, however the EV9 additionally has a warmth pump, which can assist scale back vary loss in chilly climates.
The EV9 is available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the single-motor model providing 201 to 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque, and the dual-motor variations present an ample 379 horsepower and as much as 516 lb-ft. of torque. The highest-of-the-line GT-Line AWD reviewed right here can zoom from 0 to 60 mph in simply 4.5 seconds (with a 1-foot rollout), making it sooner than Mercedes and Land Rover rivals. Throttle response is instantaneous, and the SUV’s low heart of gravity helps it keep balanced and managed. Its journey is impressively quiet – not simply due to the electrical energy, however due to its well-insulated cabin. McPherson entrance struts and a multi-link rear suspension assist easy out bumpy roads. A self-leveling rear air suspension helps with dealing with for those who’re utilizing the EV9 to tow a trailer.
Inside, it is glossy and trendy whereas being pragmatic. The house has a vivid and ethereal really feel, with a clear and linear strategy to design. Sitting atop the dashboard is a pair of 12.3-inch digital shows fused along with a 5.3-inch touchscreen controlling the local weather system. The central touchscreen has a responsive and intuitive interface and helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A set of haptic contact buttons beneath the show offers fast entry to numerous screens, and there are extra bodily controls for temperature and quantity. The floating heart console has cupboard space beneath for a handbag or different bag, and there are a pair of pop-out cupholders beneath a sliding door for versatility. A wi-fi charging pad sits behind that. There are many USB-C ports, with two up entrance, two within the seat backs for second-row entry, and two for the third-row passengers.
The entrance seats are extremely snug and supply all kinds of changes. We preferred the mushy mesh headrests and the motive force’s seat ERGO Movement therapeutic massage function. Mixed with a soothing full-recline function, it makes ready for public charger fill-ups way more nice. Each entrance seats have warmth and cooling and leg extensions for added consolation. Whereas some EV9s could be configured for seven passengers, the GT-Line AWD comes commonplace with second-row captain’s chairs, carrying six folks with a bit more room between them. The second-row seats have legroom and kneeroom for days, folding armrests, and warmth and cooling. These have been upgraded with the second-row leisure package deal, which incorporates 8-way energy controls, wing-style headrests, and extendable leg rests for limo-like consolation. There’s an overhead management pod for local weather management and particular person ceiling vents. The again of the middle console is topped off with cupholders and contains a handy storage drawer with a slide-out tray.
There is a lengthy record of tech options for security and comfort, together with a crisp surround-view digital camera with entrance and rear parking sensors, a wide-angle digital rearview mirror, and a big head-up show. Kia’s Freeway Driving Help 2 combines adaptive cruise management with lane-centering tech. On the similar time, the blind spot detection system not solely alerts you to autos you place your flip sign on but in addition shows video of the adjoining lane on the instrument cluster. The Distant Sensible Parking Help 2 function permits you to pull the EV9 out and in of tight parking areas utilizing the keyfob whilst you stand outdoors the automobile.
Accessing the third row is fairly easy – there are pushbutton controls on the second-row seats that slide and tilt them ahead so you’ll be able to step into the again. The again seats are much less supportive and bolstered than the entrance two rows, however they’re coated in the identical high quality supplies. The headroom again right here is superb, however legroom and kneeroom could be tight for taller passengers. The house is nice for youths, although, they usually’ll be comfortable with their very own cupholders, telephone/pill chargers, audio system, and ceiling vents.
There’s nice house behind the EV9, too. Fold all of the seats, and it will carry as much as 81.7 cubic toes of cargo. We had no bother becoming two adult-sized bikes with room to spare. With passengers within the second row, you continue to get 43.5 cubic toes; with a full home, you continue to get 20.2 cubic toes for carrying groceries, backpacks, and different on a regular basis gear. Again right here, you may additionally discover distant energy controls for folding the captain’s chairs and handbook pullcords for dropping the third row. There is a hands-free liftgate and 120-volt AC and 12-volt DC shops.
Ever since Tesla popularized the time period “frunk,” we get requested the identical query with each EV: “How large is the frunk?” Nicely, within the case of the EV9, it is not a lot. Due to electrical elements within the entrance of the automobile, the usable cupboard space beneath the hood is restricted to only 1.8 cubic toes. That is sufficient house to retailer emergency hand instruments and a primary help equipment, however not a lot else. The rear-wheel drive fashions get a bit extra frunk house – 3.2 cubic toes.
No matter what you might need heard within the information, EVs are right here to remain, and the Kia EV9 is the very best 3-row EV you should buy at the moment. We love its forward-looking design, razor-sharp deal with consolation and utility, and sporty angle. It offers you every little thing a premium minivan does with out the minivan stigma and the bonus of spectacular passing energy. Whereas you will get right into a base EV9 Gentle RWD for $55,000, the GT-Line AWD mannequin examined right here begins at $73,900. Ours had a sticker of $78,430, which was primarily due to the attractive Ocean Blue paint, the second-row leisure package deal, and freight and dealing with.