Is it Worth the Hype? | 2024 Kia EV9 GT Line Full Tour & rEView

[@bobstevenson4396]

I doubt there will be many unsold EV9s on dealer lots (maybe a few expensive top spec GT-line models) When I check the Kia Canada configurer on-line I find here in BC after rebates but before taxes the EV9 Land AWD base model price is $60,108.29 and when I configure the base Kia Telluride EX before taxes the price is $53,644.00 (top of the line Telluride X-pro is $66,344.00). After looking at anticipated future fuel/maintenance costs and performance the EV9 is by far the better value.

[@PRNTestDrive]

The entry-level and mid trims will definitely sell, I'm not too worried about those. I believe Kia is having trouble selling the EV6 GT due to the price and reduced range it offers, and other performance-EVs like the Mach-E GT could be seeing similar stagnant inventory issues. We'll see how things go over the next 6 months.

[@gregory1110]

All the reviews on the EV9 say the same thing. It's worth buying. That's exactly what I hope to do this summer. Hopefully, since the market changed, I won't have to wait until 2025 to have it in my garage.

[@PRNTestDrive]

It's definitely worth checking out, I was and still am very impressed with this vehicle. I've driven it quite a bit this week and enjoyed every minute of it. I don't think i'd buy one as it's out of my price range.

[@johnabraham3878]

Thanks for the video. I ran this around the track at a “plug n drive” event with families and really it was the only EV option for most of them. My kids moved away so I don’t need the space, but I’d buy it in an instant if I still had little kids at home.

[@PRNTestDrive]

I'm glad there are more segments being covered by EVs, I just hope brands keep looking at the entry-level and smaller end which traditionally aren't as profitable.

[@austin_8154]

In Minnesota, they are sold before they even make it to the dealership. Ours is still on a ship in Tacoma, Washington. 😵‍💫 We are super excited about it, though.

[@PRNTestDrive]

Hope yours arrives soon!

[@austin_8154]

@@PRNTestDrive We also managed to get ours for $67,700 USD.

[@vleex_]

1:49 ITS A TRANSFORMER!

[@PRNTestDrive]

Haha! We always try to leave the EVs running during filming, so the little battery flaps were doing their thing it seems.

[@seanmartin203]

We got a light long range in Southern California has the longest range 304 miles but just rear wheel drive . So far we love it

[@PRNTestDrive]

Perfect weather/climate for RWD! If it weren't for our winters here I'd go with that configuration.

[@AM_SDG]

excellent review as always, you are touched on important details. With regards to EV sitting on dealer lots, my personal views that EVs are overpriced (20-30% higher than gas vehicles), and the bad reputation that Hyundai/ Kia made with unrealistic price for battery (remember that guy in BC that was quoted from the dealer 60,000 for Hyundai battery and the vehicle had to be written off, or other Hyundai / Kia owners interviewed by CBC or other Canadian news were waiting for months for battery or that guy that was quoted 30,000 for a 2018 Hyundai battery on the CTV. All this discourages educated consumers from EV. Don’t mis-understanding my message, I am an engineer and truely I believe that EV are the future, very simple and efficient, but the way automobile manufacturers and dealers are gouging their EV clients sends a very bad message.

[@RichardJoashTan]

Not me, I will buy a fully loaded Kia EV9 GT Line anyway.

[@PRNTestDrive]

That's what I was struggling with during my review, yes there is a market for this size/price and there will be people willing to pay $82k for this. Prices need to come down on full electric vehicles before more adoption will be considered. I think 2024 will be a telling year for EVs in North America, I'll be interested to see what the sales information shows.

[@llucas_brr]

We bought a GT Line with no problem. Get your money up......respectfully. :)

[@matchedplayr]

Charging maxes out around 210kW, not 350kW. Still very fast!

[@PRNTestDrive]

We haven't been able to get any vehicle to charge faster than about 135kW, but it depends entirely on the charging station and the vehicle. We have a Cadillac Lyriq booked in a few months which advertises a proper battery conditioning mode for fast charging, we're hoping to get the chance to test it and see if it gets the full charging speed Cadillac/GM advertises for it.

[@matchedplayr]

@@PRNTestDrive that's very interesting that vehicle has been able to charge past that. I guess I'm lucky, the chargers in my area have been well over that since I got my ev9. Great review overall, excited to see the Cadillac review!

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

These new EV's are cool, but who can afford an 81k dollar kia? And honestly, why would anyone buy an 81k dollar kia? To put that in perspective, my house was 160k dollars, that kia is half the cost of the house, but.. the house has 30 years to pay the loan. I can't imagine the payments at 6% for 4 years.. I make a good living, but there's no way i'd spend that kind of money to buy something like this. So, my question is, who is it for?

[@PRNTestDrive]

That's what I was thinking also. We took this to Toronto this weekend and spotted two EV9s on the road, both the more affordable trims. I think at the $65k price it makes a lot of sense, and the $59k entry-level will be a popular option. It's funny, I mentioned the Rivian R1S but the cheapest you can configure on their website is $127k. Talk about unaffordable!

[@RichardJoashTan]

And I am glad that i will buy a fully loaded Kia EV9 GT Line.

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

@@RichardJoashTan You can get a tesla model Y performance for less or a Tesla model X Plaid for only slightly more.. sounds stupid.. 😂

[@RichardJoashTan]

@@rustbeltrobclassic2512 to you, but my comment still stands because It won World Car of the Year and Tesla has not won any single award.

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

@@RichardJoashTan Who voted on that? because as money of no object, i think i'd prefer a Pagini Huayra.. or a Rolls Royce.. sounds like a made up award..