When you hear the word ‘flagship,’ the type of vehicle that instantly comes to mind is the best of the best, the cream of the crop, if you will. In making their flagship vehicle, Kia took a no-holds-barred approach with the EV9, ensuring it represents the best that they could offer in size, comfort, and features.
The Kia EV9 comes equipped with a 378 hp twin motor that boasts an eye-watering 700 Nm of torque all drawn from a 99.8 kWh lithium-ion battery that gives up to 505 km of range, which is quite impressive considering its size. For charging, an 11 kW charger can take you 10 hours to charge from 10 percent to 100 percent. But hook it up to a 350 kW fast charger, and it can take you from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 24 minutes – less if the charger has a higher output.
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 5.0/5
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 5.0/5
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.0/5
- Massage features for both the passenger and the driver
- Coding Exempt until 2030
- Gentle and customizable adaptive cruise control
- Steep price tag
- Lane keep assist takes its time to find lanes, especially on poorly marked roads
Big Presence, Futuristic Look
Kia really sized everything up on the EV9, from its large front profile, accentuated by the absence of a traditional front grille, to its massive 21-inch wheels. Despite this, its 177 mm ground clearance doesn’t compromise accessibility. Despite its boxy, retro-inspired silhouette, the Star Map LED headlamps give it its futuristic look.
Storage that gets you prepared for the unexpected
As with most EVs, the Kia EV9 features a 52-liter frunk, enough to fit its mobile charger, adapters, and a bit more. In the rear, storage starts at 333 liters with all the seats up, 800 liters with the third row seats down. But if the going gets tough and you need to haul something larger than a week’s worth of luggage, the second row seats fold down and reveal a massive 2,318 liters of cargo space.
Convenience features in the cargo area include a 12V outlet, an AC socket, and buttons that electronically fold the third row down. A button that slides the second row forward is also found next to the third row buttons, but you’ll need to fold the seats manually to get the second row completely out of the way.
A cabin that’s worthy of the ‘First Class’ title
Inside, you’ll find two captain chairs that could easily rival massage chairs. Offering a plethora of features such as fully customizable massage settings, zero-gravity mode, reclining backrests, leg rests, privacy shades, ventilation and heating, ISOFIX mounts, and dedicated climate controls.
You also get multiple USB Type-C ports, cupholders on both sides, and a share of the center console that has a pull-out tray and deep storage.
Third row passengers aren’t left out either. They enjoy a share of the panoramic roof, their own cupholders, USB Type-C ports, reclining seats, and dedicated air vents, all of which make long drives much more comfortable.
Screens, screens, and more screens
Up front, it’s screens everywhere. The side cameras replace the traditional side mirrors, displaying live feeds at eye level near the steering wheel. The rear view mirrors also convert into a screen with a flip of a switch for an unobstructed view of what’s behind.
Dual 12.3-inch screens make up the instrument cluster and infotainment system, which supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, as well as a 360-degree camera. A 14-speaker Meridian sound system found around the vehicle delivers high-quality and immersive audio throughout the cabin.
Driver and passenger seats are both powered, ventilated, heated, and feature massage functions. You also get more USB Type-C ports, a 12-V socket, wireless charging, ample amounts of storage underneath the center console, a fully colored heads-up display, and even a separate sunroof.
A smart and customizable driving experience
The EV9 includes Kia Drive Wise, a package of advanced driver assistance features that ensure safety and comfort. You also get terrain modes, drive modes, and paddle shifters, not for gears, but for adjusting the amount of power regeneration that you get based on how you drive.
Despite its 2,630 curb weight, the EV9’s powertrain makes driving effortless, whether you’re overtaking, climbing, or doing both at once. It does zero to 60 km/h in just 5.3 seconds, which is surprisingly quick for a full-size SUV. The ride is exceptionally smooth and quiet, thanks in part to its lack of gear shifts and its well-balanced suspension, despite the large wheel size. Driving the EV9 is also made easy thanks to its steering, which is light in the city and stiffens up on the highway, allowing for more control and stability at speed.
The adaptive cruise control in the EV9 is gentle and customizable; despite having 700 Nm of torque ready to be used, it doesn’t rush to catch up with the next car in front of you. If it’s not to your liking, simply adjust the reaction speed in the infotainment system, and the adaptive cruise can react faster or slower depending on your preference. The lane keep assist, however, takes its time in finding the lane, especially on poorly marked roads.
Is it for you?
When you get the Kia EV9, you’ll be faced with a dilemma: do you want to drive it or be driven in it? With its advanced driving features and creature comforts that are available for both the driver and passenger, either of the choices would be a win.
The Kia EV9 is Kia’s bold and futuristic take on what a luxury SUV can be. At P5,938,000, it's not for the faint of heart, but for the right buyer, it’s a perfect fit. Whether you’re an executive looking for something that differentiates you from the usual fleet of black SUVs or you’re a future-minded individual wanting the best in tech, comfort, and safety features for your family of five to seven. As long as you have a few million pesos ready to go, then we think that the EV9 might just be the perfect electric upgrade.
Specifications
Engine
n/aEnergy Source
ElectricPerformance
379 hp @ 0 rpmTransmission
Automatic-
Summary
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Name Kia EV9 GT- Line Body Type SUV Price ₱5,938,000 Transmission Category Automatic -
Engine
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Motor 282.0 kW Number of Motors 2 Transmission Type Single Speed Automatic -
Performance
-
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive Max Output (hp) 379 hp Max Torque (nm) 700 Nm -
Economy & Environment
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Energy Source Electric Emissions Standard n/a Battery Capacity 99.8 kWh -
Dimensions
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Length 5,015 mm Width 1,980 mm Height 1,780 mm Wheelbase 3,100 mm Turning Circle 12 m Ground Clearance 177 mm Trunk Capacity 333 L Number of Doors 5 Number of Seats 6 -
Safety & Security
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Driver's Airbag 1 Front Passenger's Airbag 1 Side Airbag 2 Curtain Airbag 2 Knee Airbag 1 Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
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Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 21 in Wheels Metal Type Alloy Airconditioning System Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Entertainment System 12.3” Touchscreen Connectivity Bluetooth Handsfree + Voice Command, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Navigation Ready Warranty 5 Years (160,000 km), 8 Years Battery (160,000 km) Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
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Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes Mud and Sand Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
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