The 2024 Kia EV9 Is The Family EV Benchmark... For Now.

With class leading legroom, more 3rd row headroom than a minivan and LATCH anchors in the second and third rows, the EV9 is the EV SUV to beat when it comes to electrifying big families, or just folks that want a bit more room. This is the first EV I've ever tested that can actually squeeze a convertible child seat in row 2 and 3 while a 6-foot tall adult sits up front.
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[@acsmoothing2262]

What a professional-bringing serious child seats to a test drive event. I am seriously impressed by how roomy all three rows of the EV9 are looking.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

I was able to drive to this one so that made it easier LOL

[@bradydeslippe1700]

We need more "will it child" reviews of cars, specifically EVs. Thank you sir!

[@paulg9484]

Nothing beats a minivan for space and versatility in a small package

[@gregkramer5588]

For sure but this is competing against three row s u v's not minivan.

[@dallasd86]

Right but then you have to drive a minivan.

[@kimle01]

Wait for someone to make awd ev minivan. I will take that over suv!

[@CharlesSpellman]

When someone makes an EV minivan I’ll buy it. Until then, this is kind of the only option.

[@garrettw99]

It’s too expensive for what it is, compared to a Telluride. But eventually the low ownership cost might cancel out the higher purchase price. Seems like a great lease car

[@Yourleftismyright88]

I'd say it's priced decently for being a mid size 3 row EV SUV. You can get a Telluride for 56K and if that was the case I'd rather get this.

[@carlsoon6533]

2 considerations are car insurance and annual DMV registration. In California, that's too much.

[@matlockj]

Or just wait for the depreciation...in about 2 years these will be a steal

[@renerodriguez7663]

Diapers in the frunk right next to the A/C filter!!! 😂

[@Draconis8888]

Thanks for testing and showing us that. “Can it family” is an important metric. That rear forward facing child seat looks squishy for the kids’ legs… Overall, I’m liking the EV9!

[@Pekirt79]

Great review Alex! I'm grateful you do child seat tests, barely anyone does them. We are a family of 5 and we definitely have the EV9 on our list and it seems way bigger than the Model Y 7 seat.

[@whatdoesnt]

For $80,000+ it better take child seats. This is a GT line, good luck finding one under $70k, dealerships only want to sell the top of the line models.

[@jiaweichen9296]

I would recommend also try putting some popular double stroller and full size stroller into the cargo while the third row is up to demonstrate. I think it will be a good plus for this type of family focus testing.

[@Yourleftismyright88]

I'm sure the car mom will haha. She does that a lot.

[@MacEliot]

Uppababy Cruz or Vista stroller models, please

[@jiaweichen9296]

@@MacEliot I tried squeezing my vista dual chair set up into my explorer. It’s a pain

[@yazars]

My first thought when I see something like this is that it would be more functional for families than the current EVs available. My next thought is that a minivan would be even better....

[@MrAdamscales]

SUV EVs will kill off the minivan, because they basically ARE minivans. The Minivan advantage was the packaging and family-friendly space you got. Well, an EV9 gives you that without the embarrassment. Maybe there's some innovation left in in the ICE minivan concept that could could take it the segment forward, but this seems an unpromising investment opportunity for car manufacturers.

[@jmsjags]

​@MrAdamscales automakers can create EV minivans as well. And you have to have pretty low self esteem to be embarrassed to drive a certain type of car. Good lord.

[@yazars]

@@MrAdamscales I can haul more stuff in a minivan than SUV due to more interior height, they're easier to get in and out of, have more flexible seating configurations, and the auto power sliding doors are convenient for school drop off & pick-up.

[@user-zx8de8op9l]

Wow child seats have come a long way since I was in one in the 70's. I never had kids, so I never had to buy and use one.

[@JonathanRootD]

The 7 seater has a baby seat friendly tilt on the passenger side!

[@mrpogi23]

this is great! as someone who expecting another one soon and considering EV9 on next yearr's model, this is super helpful!!!

[@boilerdown1]

Great video! Lots of buyers of EV9 will be buying for families with young kids.

[@phatgringo2.0]

Who the hell can afford one of these, especially with young kids?! Endless money pit.

[@gelu88]

​@@phatgringo2.0it's not that much more expensive than gas 3 row SUVs. Im not saying the cost is very high, but a lot of people are making that decision

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

base model vehicle that gets crappy range. remember gotta charge it 10-80% for battery health so 230 miles of range nets you realistically 150-170 when keeping it within that sweet spot. and thats only in ideal weather temps too. base model costs $54k, a base model telluride costs $38k, and telluride will get on full tank 370-420 miles of range. there is no recovery of savings here, and makes that "value" even worse is the pathetic range, expensive and poorly built and poorly performing third party charging networks when on the go that charge slow as molasses half the time regardless of what the car is capable of. also, when public charging at 32c to 48c a kwh you are looking at the same price as the gas telluride will cost to fill up for the same amount of range. EVs are best as sedans or small crossovers for now. battery tech is too weak for anything larger for it to be practical and have a real value to a driver. @@gelu88

[@billyjean2905]

The first practical three row EV SUV which is affordable... actually, not that affordable though, at least no legacy makers make EV even comparable with this.

[@jmsjags]

This is not affordable at all. Automakers complain about EVs not selling when they are all priced at $60k+. Go figure.

[@logitech12345678910]

Finally, the affordable 80K ev I've been waiting for. These EVs are saving me so much money it's insane!

[@gregkramer5588]

You're talking about a price that is more expensive than the most loaded version. It starts at fifty six k and it's actually well equipped at that price. I would compare this to something like the MDX as far as features and luxury.

[@DashcamD413]

Just out of curiosity, what are those red pull straps on the second row seat backs? Are the seats themselves removable in the EV9 🤔?

[@jngobngo]

Those are a manual release to fold the seat back I believe

[@rupe30]

Nearly great for a family, apart from they've put the central seat belt plug in a stupid place so you can't plug in the seat belt with a booster seat in the middle. So if you have 3 kids under 6 or so you need to use one of the back 2 seats and then lose your boot. Such an oversight. Also felt super cheap inside. Going to wait for the ex90.

[@jghall00]

Kia and Hyundai are killing it in the EV space right now.

[@benderbalsam7066]

A great video as always! I saw some European reviews with second row swivel seats. Will that be coming to the States? They made a good point where if you had a forward facing child seat you could swivel the seat around and make it a rear facing seat for extra safety.

[@matfillion]

No swivel seats allowed in North America so Kia can't offer them

[@Codeexcited]

People doing that is actually a big part of why they aren't allowed in NA, vehicle seats aren't designed to take the crash forces while turned around.

[@rogerthat24]

I'm planning to trade in my EV6 for this as I want more space for my family activities.

[@darrenorange2982]

They just need to fix the charging curve so it is on par with their other smaller battery systems.

[@TheCosmicGuy0111]

Cool

[@Elricky124]

It looks like a supersized Kia Niro. All it needs is the wind blade in black.

[@be236]

I really like this EV9. Tempted to get it.. but.. I currently have Kia Niro EV 2019, and its trade-in value would likely be around $15k... which is so low, that would be better to keep it as a spare car/EV, and get EV9 by itself... Alas.

[@jenesuispasbavard]

Wish this was a minivan. Could've been so much smaller.

[@niffrig]

How does it compare to the Rivian R1S

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It's roomier inside. More headroom in the 3rd row and a wider 3rd row.

[@dallasd86]

Rivian has no captain's chair option unfortunately.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

It sure fills an empty niche in the market. But it’s not the revolutionary EV people were waiting for. Charging isn’t fast enough, and range isn’t enough either, especially in cold weather.

[@gregkramer5588]

If you have a home charger the range is plenty good as is the charging.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@gregkramer5588 Yeah, I guess.

[@jfrancis509]

Would you happen to know why kia doesn’t offer 2nd row bench seats on the higher trims?

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Supposedly most customers want the captains chairs.

[@gs9771]

front frunk is small for such large suv

[@dearbulls]

I hope Kia can make this design into a range extender EV or hybrid. just so it could be proper for road trip and cold weather. As a current BEV owner, I still don't think BEV is a good replacement yet.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

👍

[@BTC909]

Wait for a 2025.

[@bradyb9929]

Great offering. But unaffordable at 20k more than a Telluride.

[@olivierhiers4224]

Riding a Rivian, this looks like a great alternative, the question that is my mind, more so when icy road, is how quickly an EV gets " totaled" . Kia and the EV6 has made the news several time on that specific topic. When some talk about range anxiety, i more nervous that for a small fender-bender i get a 40k cost of repair. It would be interesting o compare all manufacturer and independent repair to see what car is the most "repair" friendly. Perhaps involving industry speaker. Another verry well made video, to the point and answering the key question, thx

[@nc3826]

Reports of 40k to repair a small fender-bender is misleading. Since there are far less costly paintless dent removal options. I watched a KZbin post on a Rivian being repaired this way. It was not cheap, since it did take a long time and a highly trained well paid individual. But it was a few thousand not $40,000. Repairability is becoming more costly for all vehicles, not just EVs Since larger structural components are increasingly being used in modern vehicles. Which tends to make them safer and cheaper to assemble, but more costly to repair when body panels have to be replaced. (FWIW Kia just announced its PBV line of modular vehicles. Which will initially be built and sold in S.Korea. Which should be more cost-effective to repair. But its main focus currently is the commercial fleet. And that they plan to sell in the rest of the world. So it's an intriguing possibility in terms of more cost-effective repairability for the future.)

[@whiteandnerdytuba]

Hybrids are fantastic cause the price premium really isn’t. You’ll never make back the 20 grand in additional upfront cost plus higher insurance plus depreciation before you need a new battery which on an ionic totals the car. This is one of the worst cars a family could buy

[@anishsomani]

We definitely need more of these reviews. Excellently covered. Alex always does such a comprehensive child seat test

[@supermoop]

A minivan is more practical as a family vehicle than this or any three row CUV. But, buyers will shoot themselves in both feet and pay 20k ADM to avoid being seen in a minivan. Smart move by the automakers and the dealers. 😅

[@krzysztofcwik5347]

The only family firendly version is with bench, because 1/3 of the bench on the passenger side has childseat tilt and I honestly do not understand that so wide cars don't have 3 ind seats options.That would be perfect - one parent in the middle in judge role for 2 kids and parents in law in the 3rd row. In Europe cars are allowed to put isofix pionts on the front passanger seat as well.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

230 miles of range, 80% charge (for battery longevity) means about 185, then 15% less for real world/climate loss means about 160 miles of range, and then take off about 25 miles of range because you dont want it to go below 10% drops your range to 135-150 for a base model vehicle costing $54,000 or 305ish. or about 240 at 80%, or 190 not going below 10% charge....but loaded for about $70-75k yea, what a benchmark LOL!!!!! oh yea, and its kinda ugly too. over priced, under spec, questionable styling, third party charging networks. a fully loaded telluride is about the price of the BASE model EV9, and gets up to 380-420 miles of range. a base model is about $38k and mid spec around $46k so base for base.....about a $14000 difference, and a loaded for loaded model about $15-17k difference. YOU WILL NEVER MAKE THAT UP IN GAS SAVINGS. for 80k you can get a model X, with more range and its a much better vehicle, with a more proven drive train and its a luxury vehicle and not a kia. and it gets more range with a far superior charging network to be fair to Kia, the EV6 is a wonderful EV, i considered it, but the tesla 3/Y blows it away for range, value, tech, charging network at a cheaper or comparable price...AND WITHOUT SCUMBAG DEALERS CHARGING $4500 MARKUPS, or stupid add ons like cheap window tint and wheel locks for that $4500. which im sure they will do to this thing too, as they do with all of their vehicles at 16c kwh, it will cost about $25 to get the distance of a telluride where the telluride will cost $50-70 per full tank. at 32c kwh, $50.... at 48c kwh, $75.... and dont forget the charging time for a 100+kw battery size too...sure that will go over well on a road trip getting 150-230 miles of highway range. wheres the real value with this? especially if you use a public charger which if your range if charged within that 10-80% range if your family is that big where you need such a vehicle, getting a gas car will be far more convenient and practical. as an example, a fully loaded tahoe or suburban costs just a bit more than a fully loaded one of these EV9s Sorry, this is trash. I can see people jumping on one of these and then having buyers remorse for the EV simps out there and then realize the tech isnt ready yet for large heavy bricks. EVs are great, but not for large or purpose vehicles. Sedans and crossovers are the only 2 classes of vehicles EVs are worth it. the battery tech simply cannot support larger vehicles like these right now. not only that most EVs are not worth it for the price outside of tesla model 3 or Y as they cant compare when it comes to value and what you get.

[@HarlemGreatest]

TLDR

[@MrAdamscales]

If you are taking a road trip, you can and will charge to 100%. It's no problem. Real world range on GT Line tested at 306 miles. Let's call it 250 on the highway - which is what really worries people (including myself). That's doable, IF the chargers are there. I sat in a Model X while waiting for the EV9 to show up. Man, I wanted to like it - I'm sure it's fun to drive - but what a spartan, drab interior. And have enough screens in my life as it is. EV9 feels much more like a real car - not quite luxury, but nice. Your Kwh figures are fair, except that no one should buy an EV without a charger at home. My costs are around 11 cents/kWh. That said, I'm not really sold on the idea that EVs will save you money. Maybe the EVs of the future, but not yet. Better to think of it as a cool, space-age driving experience, with a some quirks and offsetting advantages. As ever, YMMV.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

even if you charge it to 100%, which by the way 80-100% takes 2x as long to charge and often isnt worth it, especially if the chargers also charge by time too ends up defeating the purpose. you never want it to go below 10%, and probably due to non tesla networks poor locations and reliability never should go below 20%. so if it has 250 miles of highway range on the larger, much more expensive model, you only have about 210 to use. the telluride, which gets about 26mpg highway (lets say 24) on a 19 gallon tank nets you 456. lets assume not letting gas get below 10% so refilling at 2 gallon mark would give you about 400 miles. 17 gallons would cost about $68 at $4.00 a gallon. depending on where you live or going to on a trip, it is likely to be the same or less than that. but lets keep it high on purpose. public chargers are not cheap all times of the day. or some arent cheap due to location. example, many tesla chargers along I-40 in northern AZ are 46c all day long last i checked. at 46c charging a from 15% to 100% will run about $40 (85kwh) to go about 215 miles. at 32c is about $27. and that has to be multiplied by 2 to get pretty much the same close rage to ICE counterpart. So between $54 and $80. each charge to 100% is gonna take an hour. if we assume a 400 mile trip, the ICE car will make it there without stopping, and a fill up at destination which takes 5 min, the trip without stopping at all would be 5.71 hours at 70mph. the EV9 will need one stop half way, which will be about an hour. then another hour at destination before you can do anything at the destination. 7.5 estimated hours total for the same trip. that is before factoring in real world driving, which the speed limits are often 75, which will drain faster, assuming the outside temps are 30F-90F to avoid climate loss, and then theres possible uphills depending on your trip, thus decreasing range in BOTH, however more drastic in an EV especially a heavier brick to factor in, where you could need a short supplimental charge to be safe. note, a gas vehicle could need a fill up too under more intense conditions, however....you are only adding 5 min easy on easy off the highway, where EV chargers are often not. If EV charging on the roads cost this much now, it wont be more affordable later. @@MrAdamscales

[@windwalker121]

The ridiculously priced EV game has to break at some point. Maybe once people realize the real-world depreciation on these things. People are only going to be willing to take that financial hit for so long. "Early adopters" are Guinea pigs, and they're about to learn a very painful financial lesson.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

facts. I own a model 3 and personally i love it. but the pricing game varies here. many also have buyers remorse because they dont think about the logistics an EV requires vs gas cars. anyone considering an EV, needs to rent one for a couple of weeks to be honest. you also have to consider your regions climate too. in vegas its fine, but when we have that one month over 110F for 3-4 weeks straight, my range severely suffers 25-30% loss, and even higher sometimes. but the other 11 months of the year its pretty spot on even at 29F, where that loss is maybe 5%, not much to care about....but at -3F, you will lose 35-40% (YTers have tested this recently) i came from a 2022 tuscon hybrid that got totalled out. i had a rental model 3 for 3 weeks, which is what sold me on it when i factored in the payment, insurance and MY gas usage VS free charging at home all combined im saving $300 a month....and then of course the tax credit while will greatly help me for last year, but not everyone benefits from that. but gas in vegas will never be below $3.00 a gallon ever again and sits at $3.50-3.90 a gallon now. however in other parts of the country gas is far cheaper and the cost to charge vs gas doesnt even save money. insurance is the other factor, i use tesla insurance and pay 1/4 of what regular insurance would be for this car, and thats half of what my hybrids insurance was....notably, my payment went up $100, so the insurance savings covered that. but if it wasnt for the insurance price with tesla, i would never have bought one. if i had the option, id ditch it and get latest model town car, cheap, reliable, easy to fix and no payments. crappy mpg be dammned without a payment who cares.

[@StephenByersJ]

You’re not wrong, but the upside is lots of great EVs on the secondary market for a great price if you don’t want to be the Guinea pig.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

its still not worth it to be honest, not for a vehicle like this. EVs are best as sedans or small crossovers, where second hand MAY make sense. one thing people have to do when buying one is charge it to 100% and see the max range before buying. otherwise they could be buying a dud. second hand EV buyers essentially are guinea pigs too, for different and similar reasons. @@StephenByersJ

[@chrismv102]

The lack of a good charging network and the effect cold weather has on batteries make EV's not really a practical choice right now.

[@mowcowbell]

And you can buy a fully loaded Kia Telluride for around $50K. The price difference will buy a LOT of gas.

[@gregkramer5588]

If you charge at home it's awesome!

[@dallasd86]

@@mowcowbellTelluride feels very old compared to this car in many ways. It's not just about the price difference in gas savings.

[@eugenet6632]

Enough already EV nonsense, who wanted already got one, but many don’t care and never will until the battery tech is more mature and new generation of batteries are available. Until then give me back my V8 options to buy

[@ohnoyuji]

Yeah. I'm the first

[@TheCJUN]

Looks plastic like many other EVs (Mercedes EQX).

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

news flash....ALL cars these days look like cheap plastic. some more than others, regardless of drive train.

[@TheCJUN]

@baldisaerodynamic9692 Disagree that all cars look cheap plastic. Agree that many do.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

ok, ill admit the plastic look in my previous vehicle, a 2022 tuscon hybrid base model was not all that bad, but its really bad when a mercedes does it. @@TheCJUN

[@i6power30]

Not going to pay so much for a KIA. Korean cars can't sell in China. They are even worse quality than Chinese brands.

[@Fearmocker]

A professional presentation as always but EV's are just not going to make it. After reading what is happening to Ford and GM and the losses they are taking. It's just not time for them yet.

[@MeliorIlle]

Don't buy an EV, Chicago this weekend was a perfect example.

[@brandonl8039]

Dude Chicago was so cold that the jet fuel pumps at ohare froze. Cars or chargers not really handling that isn’t that unexpected or crazy

[@mrstinky2421]

Literally a fluke.

[@MeliorIlle]

@@brandonl8039 ICE engines started just fine, what's your point again???

[@brandonl8039]

@@MeliorIlleexcept for all the ones that literally didn’t, but didn’t make the news because ICE engines struggling in extreme cold isn’t news to anyone and is expected. It also doesn’t make good click bait for the mouth breathers who just want affirmation for their dislike of EVs.

[@baldisaerodynamic9692]

at 10 below zero, any car will have problems. with that said however, EVs are not good for cold weather climates for other reasons beyond that. TFL did a test and lost 40% of their range when it was -3F EVs are great, if they fit your habits and you dont live in a climate that is below 30F a lot.

[@MuniTechnology]

I hope those car seats are fireproof.

[@mrstinky2421]

Evs catch on fire less than gas cars

[@MuniTechnology]

​@mrstinky2421 Rank car fires by age and you will see gas cars need to get old, be neglected or badly damaged in a collision to burn and are simple to extinguish. EVs burn when new without neglect or collision. EVs burn violently and are difficult to extinguish. If EVs are SO MUCH BETTER, why do they burn at all? Seriously. We're paying attention.

[@ramandeep007]

It's a racist car from racist country