Ladies and gentlemen, it seems like the day we've all been waiting for has arrived. Kia, the automaker that has brought us countless forgettable sedans and uninspiring hatchbacks, has finally decided to dip its toes into the electric vehicle (EV) market. Brace yourselves, because the Kia EV9 is here, and it's trying to make a splash with its swiveling seats and family-friendly features. But let's not get carried away just yet; it's time to put on our critical hats and take a closer look.
First things first, let's talk about the design. The Kia EV9 sports a boxy exterior that screams, "Hey, I'm an electric SUV!" It's like Kia's designers took a standard SUV and decided to give it the electric treatment by adding some futuristic touches. Now, don't get me wrong, the EV9 is not an eyesore by any means, but it's not going to win any beauty contests either. It's more of a "love it or tolerate it" kind of situation.
But where the EV9 really tries to stand out is on the inside. It boasts a spacious interior with seating for seven lucky passengers. And get this, folks – the seats swivel! Yes, you heard that right. Kia wants to make sure you never have to strain your neck again while trying to have a conversation with your passengers. It's a gimmicky feature, no doubt, but hey, at least they're trying something different, right?
Now, let's move on to the performance, or lack thereof. The EV9 comes with both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, offering a range of 220 to 290 miles depending on the battery and drivetrain choices. Not bad, Kia, not bad. But let's not forget that other EV manufacturers have been offering similar or even greater ranges for quite some time now. It's like Kia just decided to join the EV party fashionably late and brought a bottle of mediocre range as its gift.
Power-wise, the EV9 offers a range of 204 to 380 horsepower. Again, it's not terrible, but it's not exactly groundbreaking either. We've seen other electric SUVs delivering much more power, so Kia's attempt here feels more like a half-hearted leap than a giant leap for EV-kind.
Kia claims that it has worked hard to ensure the EV9 delivers the best driving experience in its class. They have lowered the center of gravity, fine-tuned the suspension, tires, and traction control system. But let's be honest, folks, we've heard these claims before. Every automaker loves to throw around terms like "best-in-class" and "unparalleled driving experience," but in reality, it often boils down to marketing buzzwords.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the EV9 is its pricing and availability. The base price for the EV9 is expected to be around $51,000 in the US and close to €70,000 in Europe. However, that's before any tax credits or incentives, so don't get too excited just yet. Kia is aiming to qualify for the federal tax incentives for EVs manufactured in the US, but initially, the first units arriving in the US will be imported from Korea, meaning no tax incentives. It's only in 2024 that Kia plans to shift production to its facility in West Point, Georgia, to meet the requirements for the full $7,500 federal tax incentive. So, if you're eagerly waiting for the tax breaks, you might have to exercise some patience.
European customers, on the other hand, can expect to get their hands on the EV9 around September 2023. Just in time for autumn, when the leaves start falling and the temperature drops, because nothing says luxury like swiveling seats in an electric SUV.
In conclusion, the Kia EV9 is Kia's attempt to enter the electric vehicle market with a family-friendly luxury SUV. It brings some interesting features to the table, such as swiveling seats and a spacious interior, but it falls short in other areas, like performance and design. It's a decent offering, but it's not going to set the world on fire or give established EV manufacturers any sleepless nights. So, if you're in the market for a larger people-carrier and you don't mind sacrificing some performance and aesthetics for a few gimmicks, the EV9 might just be the right choice for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of other electric SUVs out there that offer a more compelling package. The choice is yours, folks. Choose wisely.
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