Does the Kia EV9 Deserve All the “World’s Best” Car Awards?

Two three-row all-electric SUVs exist in the United States today: the Rivian R1S and the Kia EV9. The Rivian R1S starts at $74,900 and tops out at prices well over $90,000. On the flip side, the entry-level Kia EV9 MSRP is $54,900 and the top GT-Line AWD trim has an MSRP of $73,900. And the Kia EV9 is the only three-row electric SUV to have earned the prestigious 2024 World Car of the Year award.

Rocketing To The Top

In the early 2000s, Kia vehicles were considered cheap, ugly, and poorly made. But they really turned things around in 2012 and since then, they now build some of the most innovative, attractive, and reliable vehicles on the road today. In fact, J.D. Power and Consumer Reports say that Kia drivers report fewer problems than any other drivers. It has been fun to watch Kia rocket to the top, and the awards show that Kia is taking transportation, design, and ride quality seriously. Kia is now mentioned in the same breaths as Toyota and Honda, which have consistently been considered top automakers in the United States. But, Toyota and Honda are behind the Korean automaker when it comes to EVs. And when was the last time you heard anyone talk about how much fun it is to drive a Toyota or a Honda (minus the Civic Type-R)?

How the World Car Awards are Awarded

Understanding the awards matters. The World Car Awards are chosen by a jury of 102 international automotive journalists from 30 countries. The largest blocks of jurors are from China, India, Japan, and the United States. The considered vehicles must be sold in two of the four major markets: Asia, Europe, Latin America, or North America. The first awards were chosen in 2003. The 2024 Kia EV9 won the World Car of the Year and the World Electric Vehicle of the Year. Qualifying for the WCOTY doesn’t require anything unusual: the vehicle must be produced in volumes of at least 10,000 units annually. It also must be priced below the luxury-car level in its primary markets. The World Electric Vehicle must be a battery-electric vehicle with one or more electric motors and be produced in at least 5,000 units annually.

Saving Money On Fuel Expenses

In typical EV style, the EV9 does have a higher price tag than its ICE sibling, the Kia Telluride, but the fact that you’ll never have to put gasoline into the EV9 makes up for it. The Kia Telluride with front-wheel drive delivers an EPA-estimated fuel rating of 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. With all-wheel drive, the Telluride fuel rating drops to 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. The Telluride has an 18.8-gallon fuel tank. At $3.50 per gallon, you’ll spend about $63 per fill-up.

The EV9 is available with two battery packs, either the 76.1-kWh battery with 230 miles of range or a 99.8-kWh battery pack with up to 304 miles of range. If you fill up with electric fuel once or twice per week, you won’t spend anywhere near as much as would on gas for a Telluride. While charging costs vary based on several factors, I can safely say that charging an EV at home is significantly less than filling up at a gas station. In Michigan, the average KWh is $0.20 and with the 99.8-kWh battery pack, that will cost around $20.

Speedy Charging Technology

Kia and Hyundai engineers understand that EV drivers want to get in and out of public DC fast chargers, so they outfitted their top EVs with 800-volt electrical architecture. Most EVs have 400-volt architectures, making them charge slowly - even at the fast 350-kW charging stations. If you sit around the DC fast chargers, you’ll see Kia and Hyundai EVs fill up faster than EVs like the Chevy Bolt, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and VW ID.4. You’ll be able to add 100 miles of range in about 14 minutes. It’s one of the fastest-charging EVs for sale today (only the newest Porsche Taycan is faster).

Winning Awards for Pioneering Design

The Kia EV9 was also a Red Dot winner . This award is not an automotive award, but a design award. The three-row EV earned a “Best of the Best” award for Product Design 2024 in the Cars and Motorcycle category. The award is given to pioneering designs with exceptional standards and innovation. The 24-panel jury includes international experts in engineering, design, and user experiences. Kia’s award was due to the contemporary, yet classic look with innovative exterior features.

Take a Test Drive for Proof of Award-Worthiness

If you haven’t driven a Kia EV, you’re missing out. While it’s a close relative of the Kia Telluride, the EV9 has distinctive exterior features, making it look like nothing else on the road today. The interior is luxurious, but not overdone. The tech features are better than those in many new vehicles, and the cabin is extremely quiet. Kia has redefined back-seat comfort, as full-size adults get more than enough legroom and headroom. Check it out for yourself, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the way Kia engineers managed to make the backseat spacious and comfortable - even for people over six feet tall. The EV9 isn’t a performance vehicle, it’s a family-friendly seven-passenger SUV, but it’s still fun to drive and has plenty of pep thanks to the horsepower and instant torque. Even with the dual-motor 99.3-kWh battery pack, you’ll enjoy the power, but you’ll never feel like it’s too much power. If you want less power, choose a rear-wheel drive model. You’ll still get the instant torque, but Sport mode is milder.

The Perfect Family Adventure EV?

The Kia EV9 stands out not just for its affordability in the electric SUV market but also for its exceptional design, innovative technology, and impressive awards. It proves that Kia has successfully transitioned from being a brand associated with budget cars to one that competes at the highest levels of automotive excellence. The EV9's combination of practicality with 304-miles of range, style, and cutting-edge features makes it a compelling choice for families looking to embrace the future of driving.