Is this the most expensive Kia ever worth the money?

Price: NIS 489,000 (NIS 429,000 for the base version)

Competitors: BYD Tang, NIO ES8, Mercedes EQB, Wey Dream

Likes: Unique minivan design, interior space and equipment, engine performance and charging, refinement

Dislikes: Price, urban ride comfort, interior trim quality

Rating: 8.75/10

Kia has long been a leading force in the Israeli market and is also making waves in the electric segment with models like the Niro, Niro Plus, and EV6. In the passenger vehicle category, Kia offers the 7-seat Carnival, but all these are limited to price ranges of up to NIS 285,000-310,000. This is a high price level, but it almost pales in comparison to the EV9 under review: NIS 429,000 for the base 'Premium' version,  NIS 489,000 for the test car in GT-Line trim.

Oops... It's a bit hard to swallow this price, but is it really? When you check what you get in terms of interior space, technology, luxury, and equipment, half a million doesn’t seem so outrageous. Especially when relatively unknown Chinese manufacturers (e.g., NIO or Hongqi) charge similar prices for their high-end vehicles.

The 'Premium' version of the EV9 is the base model, but it’s not basic at all—it has an extremely spacious cabin, seven luxurious seats, and a rear motor with 203 hp and 35.7 kgm of torque. The acceleration from 0 to 100 takes 9.4 seconds; in the electric era, this is not an impressive figure, but it is more than sufficient for a family passenger vehicle. The 'Premium' model offers an impressive WLTP range of 563 kilometers and fast 800-volt charging.

The GT-Line test car has two motors and 384 hp, with 5.3 seconds from 0 to 100 and a range of up to 505 km. The GT-Line has only 6 seats, but four of them are spacious business class chairs. The numerous adjustments on the rear chairs—height, angle, electric footrest, heating, cooling, sunroof, air conditioning, side curtains, and foldable shelf—kept the grandchildren occupied for an hour and a half without a word from them.

Design: "What is this, a new Cadillac?" asked an amazed driver who was waiting with me at the charging station in Arad. "How cool, how much does it cost?" he continued to inquire. Upon hearing the price, his face frowned, "Wow, they went too far, these Kias," he concluded the encounter. The black EV9 attracted many glances, and rightly so. I saw it as a kind of futuristic off-road vehicle, just waiting for a raised chassis and cube-shaped off-road tires...

At 5.01 meters in length and 1.78 meters in height, the EV9 has an impressive road presence with its angular and upright body, sealed front, and unique lighting units. The designers sculpted it with relatively straight lines, including fenders reminiscent of an off-road vehicle, and faux underbody protection on the bumper bottoms. Even at the rear, it maintains sharp yet harmonious lines—definitely, the design is inviting and dynamic without being flashy.

Despite the upright body lines, it has a very competitive drag coefficient of just 0.28. The low waistline leaves plenty of room for a high and airy window strip, a pleasure to look out of. Those who need more than 333 to 2,393 liters in the trunk are welcome to use the roof rack. The black color of the test car doesn’t do it justice; I would have preferred a lighter and more vibrant color.

Interior: As impressive as the exterior design is, the cabin is the real cherry on top. The dashboard is designed with relatively conservative lines and includes two large 12.3-inch screens, a smaller information screen between them, and a head-up display on the windshield. The screens do their job well, and in addition, you get physical buttons that are convenient to use—for controlling the air conditioning, sound, and more.

We were disappointed to discover that the materials on the dashboard and center console are not high-quality to the touch, feeling hard and hollow. Kia claims these are recycled materials, so they lack the premium feel of traditional trims, but I believe that for nearly half a million NIS, we deserve more pleasant and sophisticated materials.

The ergonomics are generally good and clear, except for a few minor details—the gear lever and start button are unnecessarily tricky, hiding behind the steering wheel. The Drive Mode buttons and terrain mode selector are also located on the steering wheel, easily activated by mistake. The 'Premium' base version lacks some luxuries, but it is still very well-equipped and inviting.

The interior space is enormous—there is no problem seating four basketball players and two smaller ones in the test car for a long trip with significant luggage. The seating position is high and commanding, visibility is excellent (except for a forward diagonal limitation due to the size of the mirrors and A-pillars), and there are two sunroofs (the front one opens). In the GT-Line version, we received two 'Captain' rear chairs with all the electric adjustments one could dream of—a delight for children or international guests.

The GT-Line version is somewhat reminiscent of the Lexus LM; the hybrid Lexus is more luxurious but also costs twice as much and is not electric. In the 'Premium' version, you get a more standard rear seat for three passengers (total of 7). There are many storage compartments, including a huge one in the center console. I don’t think many customers will choose to sleep inside this car, but it can serve as a very cute motorhome, including power supply for 220-volt devices.

Engine Performance, Range, and Charging: The test GT-Line version boasts 384 hp and serious torque of 71.4 kgm. These are impressive figures, certainly for a black cube weighing 2,650 kg. The car responds swiftly to every press of the accelerator—acceleration from a standstill is decisive and immediate, up to highway speeds. Mid-range accelerations allow for relaxed overtaking of trucks and private cars, and very quick climbing of the Sdom-Arad slope. I liked the ease with which the Kia handled high-speed roads and long climbs. It was a real pleasure, a burst of speed that’s hard to grasp given the size of the test car. The driving mode selector offers 4 modes, changing the engine and steering responses; in 'Sport' mode, the backrest tightens, providing better side support. The ride is generally quiet, except for wind noise coming from the side mirrors.

One of the first questions asked about an electric vehicle is, what is the range? The truth is that recently the issue is becoming less troubling, as ranges are getting longer. The 100 kWh battery is supposed to be enough for 505 kilometers in this version, but during the test, we received only 430-450 kilometers, with fast intercity driving but not sporty (we did not include city driving or sporty driving in the calculation). This is less than promised, but even a furnace of 38 degrees Celsius did not help increase the range. The Premium version is supposed to add about 10% to the range. The driver can choose from four levels of regeneration, with the highest allowing one-pedal driving.

The 800-volt electrical system promises very fast charging, about 25 minutes from 10% to 80% at fast public stations. I must admit that I was unable to test this figure, and even if I had, it would not have been very significant. At both charging stations, I encountered frustrating issues with faulty stations, people blocking access to the station, phone calls to support teams... Not friends—the public charging system in Israel is not yet mature enough to allow a relaxed trip beyond the official range. This is not terrible and certainly not related to the EV9, just keep this in mind when planning your trips.

Comfort and Road Behavior: The EV9 uses standard steel suspension, with no adaptive or pneumatic dampers. My expectations for ride comfort were not high, and in most situations, it exceeded expectations. It is not bouncy at all, absorbing road irregularities well at high speeds. At lower speeds, it is less good—285/45R21 sporty tires do not manage to absorb small asphalt irregularities, urban bumps, or gravel paths. I am sure that 255/60-19 tires of the 'Premium' will slightly improve ride comfort.

Given that this is a heavy minivan, it handles Israeli asphalt quite well, but it is not a magic carpet. The extensive safety array includes lane departure prevention, emergency braking even in reverse, collision prevention in blind spots (with blind spot indication via a side camera), adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue alert, and more. Urban driving in tight streets might challenge drivers not used to the width and large turning radius.

On the other hand, the EV9 exhibits excellent road manners. With its weight and a 3.10-meter wheelbase, it cannot be a nimble road car. But it accurately handles road curves, maintains a balanced body surprisingly, and demonstrates excellent tire grip. There was also a very impressive speed on the highway, hard to ask for more. The brakes also bite well. Forget the swaying driving style of off-road vehicles or regular minivans; the road behavior here is much better.

The battery greatly limits my off-road ambitions. With all-wheel drive, the EV9 can handle well-maintained trails, but you might end up with detached bumpers and spoilers, not to mention the risk of damaging the battery under the floor. You can venture onto familiar, gentle trails, but it requires a cautious approach. Of course, there is no spare tire.

Bottom Line: The EV9 is a unique vehicle, not only within Kia’s lineup. It's a spacious, electric people-mover from a well-established brand. It offers not just size and luxury but also a high level of comfort and advanced technology. While it has some minor flaws in materials and ergonomics, these are overshadowed by its performance and luxury features.

For the same price, you could also buy a seven-seater Mercedes EQB. The Kia may not compete in terms of material quality and luxury feel, but it's more advanced technologically, much more spacious, with a longer range of about 150 km, and excellent road behavior.

Who might pay NIS 489,000 or NIS 429,000? Large families tired of cramped seating and lacking cargo space, high-end transport drivers, companies wanting to impress their guests with a special driving experience, and simply enthusiasts who love or need large vehicles due to family constraints.

Technical Details: Kia GT-Line EV9

• Engine: 2 electric motors
• Max Power (hp): 384
• Max Torque (kgm): 71.4
• Transmission: Automatic, direct drive, all-wheel drive

Electric:

• Battery (kWh): 99.8 kWh
• Slow Charging (kW): 11
• Fast Charging (kW): 350

Dimensions:

• Length (m): 5.015
• Width (m): 1.98
• Height (m): 1.78
• Wheelbase (m): 3.10
• Cargo Space (liters): 333-2,393, plus 52 liters front trunk
• Tires: 285/45R21
• Curb Weight (kg): 2,650
• Ground Clearance: 17.7 cm

Performance (Manufacturer):

• 0-100 km/h (seconds): 5.3
• Top Speed (km/h): 200
• Combined Range (Manufacturer, km): 505
• Combined Range (Tested, km): 450

Safety:

• Euro NCAP Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Active Safety: Autonomous emergency braking front and rear, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, door opening prevention, driver fatigue monitoring

Manufacturer Warranty:

• Vehicle: 3 years or 100,000 km
• Battery: 8 years or 160,000 km