Pros
- Eye-catching exterior design
- Smart, stylish cabin layout
- Now equipped with Tesla NACS charging port
Cons
- Third-row seat isn’t so spacious
- Useless on-route charge planning
- Better than new Hyundai Ioniq 9?
An all-electric Kia Telluride? You can think of the EV9 as filling this role. Introduced for 2024, the three-row EV SUV offers capacity for six or seven passengers inside, combining appealing design with useful features for everyday practicality. For 2026, the EV9 makes an important change to ensure future charging success. Rivals to the EV9 include the Rivian R1S, Volkswagen ID Buzz, and Hyundai Ioniq 9.
What’s New
●Now equipped with Tesla NACS charging port
●High-performance EV9 GT model introduced
What We Think
Typical three-row SUVs aren’t very cool, but the EV9 isn’t a typical three-row SUV. This all-electric Kia looks awesome, drives great, and has plenty of thoughtful features to enhance family functionality.
Range and charging will be top of mind for any driver considering switching to an EV, especially an EV meant for hauling people around. Here, the EV9 flexes its fast-charging capability—and this year’s switch to a Tesla NACS charging port. However, driving range is good but not excellent, especially compared to the longest-range versions of the Rivian R1S and its new corporate rival, the Hyundai Ioniq 9. That’s unfortunate given Kia’s lackluster road trip charge planning.
Otherwise, the EV9 is quite excellent. It’s an undeniably stylish SUV, but it doesn’t let aesthetics outdo ease of use. The overall cabin layout is thoughtful and mostly user-friendly, with a high-quality feel throughout. Sure, a little more third-row legroom and fewer digital buttons would be nice, but that’s true of pretty much every family SUV these days. Most family SUVs don’t drive as nicely as the powerful, refined EV9. This is a compelling option for anyone thinking about introducing their family to electric driving.
Range, Charging, and Performance
Now, the EV9 will come equipped with a NACS charge port, the standard designed by Tesla. This will allow it to access Tesla’s widespread Supercharger network to recharge, an important step as NACS gradually replaces today’s common CCS standard. Maximum recharging holds steady at 230 kW.
Powertrains for the 2026 EV9 should resemble those of the 2024 model. The base offering pairs a 76.1-kWh battery with a single rear motor producing 215 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Range comes in at 230 miles.
A larger available 99.8-kWh battery improves driving range for the EV9. With this battery, the single rear motor option produces 201 hp and can drive up to 304 miles on a charge.
A dual-motor AWD powertrain can also be paired with the larger battery. It produces 379 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, but jumps up to 516 lb-ft of torque with an available downloadable Boost feature. So equipped, 0-60 mph acceleration takes 4.4 seconds. Range measures between 270 and 280 miles depending on configuration.
The new 2026 EV9 GT has an even more powerful dual-motor system, but will likely have less range accordingly. The EV9 GT should be able to get about 250 miles on a full charge.
New 2026 EV9 GT Sporty SUV
Big EV9 news for 2026 is the addition of a new GT variant. Notably not a GT-Line model, the EV9 GT gains actual performance upgrades in addition to its sporty looks.
Power from the dual-motor AWD powertrain rises to an estimated 501 hp, which Kia says will result in a 4.3-second 0-60 mph time—likely a conservative estimate considering the 4.4-second time we measured from the regular 379 hp dual-motor EV9. A rear limited-slip differential helps put the power down. Borrowing a feature from its cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the EV9 also features steering wheel paddles to control a simulated transmission.
Additionally, the EV9 GT gets adaptive suspension dampers, which adjust depending on drive mode for a plusher ride or tighter handling; ride height is the same as the standard EV9. Larger front brakes should slow the heavy EV9 GT down confidently.
Design details are similar to those of the EV9 GT-Line, but the GT model gets unique 21-inch wheels wrapped in summer tires over bright green brake calipers.
Safety Ratings and Features
In its most recent safety testing, the 2024 EV9 earned 2024 Top Safety Pick status from IIHS—an impressive feat, but one step below the highest Top Safety Pick+ ranking.
All EV9 models come equipped with driver assist and active safety features including front automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency evasive steering assist, intersection collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, and automatic high-beams. More advanced hands-free driving capability may become available via download at a future date, taking advantage of all the sensors already built into the EV9.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Spaciousness in the EV9 is sufficient, but like in many three-row SUVs, a little more room in the third row would go a long way.
| Legroom (front/rear) | Cargo Space (seats up/down) | |
| 2026 Kia EV9 | 41.4/42.8/32.0 inches | 20.2/43.5/81.7 cubic feet |
| 2026 Cadillac Vistiq | 43.1/40.1/30.6 inches | 15.2/43.0/80.2 cubic feet |
| 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz | 37.5/39.9/42.4 inches | 18.6/75.5/145.5 cubic feet |
Technology
Every EV9 comes with dual 12.3-inch digital displays on the dashboard, one serving as the driver’s gauge cluster and the other as the infotainment touchscreen. There’s a 5.0-inch touch panel between them devoted to climate control settings. Over-the-air updates provide for future upgradability and extra-cost downloads. Built-in navigation, Wi-Fi hot spot connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto are standard. There are USB-C ports in all three rows of seats, and a wireless charging pad in the front row. An eight-speaker audio system is standard. Available premium tech features include a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and 14-speaker Meridian audio system.
Which EV9 Trim Level Is Best?
Don’t discount the base small-battery EV9; its driving range isn’t great but could be enough for local driving duty. Still, our pick in the EV9 range is the Wind AWD trim, which in addition to being the starting point for a dual-motor powertrain gains niceties such as a heated steering wheel, dual sunroofs, and stylish embossed seating upholstery. Pricing for the 2026 EV9 Wind AWD should come in at about $66,000.
2026 Kia EV9 vs. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9
The sibling rivalry between Kia and Hyundai is heating up as the Ioniq 9 arrives. This new all-electric three-row SUV from Hyundai is built on the same fundamentals as the Kia EV9, offering similar benefits in charging, design, technology, and features. Despite their similarities, the EV9 and Ioniq 9 are also different; the Kia will likely be more affordable, but the Hyundai is expected to have a longer driving range.
