10,000 Miles In: Kia EV9 Proves Road Trips and Capability Go Hand in Hand For the Holidays
The Kia EV9 showcases that an electric SUV can deliver head-turning style and attention-grabbing design without compromise. Its bold aesthetic captures curiosity, often prompting onlookers to ask more about the innovative EV. Featuring striking, angular bodywork reminiscent of origami, the Kia EV9 proves road trips and capability go hand in hand for the holidays.
Kia EV9 Proves Road Trips and Capability Go Hand in Hand For The Holidays
With its distinct look and Kia’s reputation for combining reliability with forward-thinking design, the EV9 leaves a lasting impression as a trailblazer in the electric SUV segment. Electric vehicles often accumulate mileage more gradually than traditional gas-powered models. The Kia EV9 follows this trend, reaching 10,000 clocked and satisfactory miles for the Car and Driver team over approximately six months.

Room to Relax, Features to Love
This steady progress reflects its versatility and appeal for everyday use. Despite its commanding size, the EV9 excels in maneuverability, making it a breeze to navigate through city traffic and park in tight spaces. Inside, the EV9’s generous 122.0-inch wheelbase and flat floor create an exceptionally spacious cabin.
This roomy interior offers comfort and practicality, with features like reclining captain’s chairs and deployable ottomans transforming it into a haven for relaxation during long journeys. The cushioned ride quality on highways further enhances the experience, delivering a smooth and enjoyable drive.
Ready for Anything: The EV9’s Extended Road Trip Performance
Efficiency is another strong suit, with observed fuel economy improving from 76 to 80 MPGe since an earlier update at 2,450 miles. While a formal highway range test at 75 mph is still pending, the EV9’s performance so far underscores its capability as a reliable and comfortable electric SUV built for various driving scenarios.

Electric vehicles like the Kia EV9 are capturing the attention of drivers curious about their practicality, range, and efficiency. To evaluate its capabilities on longer journeys, the EV9 has been tested with a few extended road trips. While much of its initial mileage has been clocked around southeast Michigan, this review team recently embarked on a 1,200-mile round trip to Alton, Virginia.
Charging Stops, No Problem: The EV9’s Long-Distance Journey
On this journey, the EV9 required three charging stops in each direction, with an average stop time of about 30 minutes. While this added roughly three hours to the overall travel time, the vehicle’s comfort, spacious interior, and advanced features made the experience stress-free. The driver appreciated its smooth ride and roomy accommodations, solidifying its appeal as a long-distance cruiser.
Even compared to traditional gas-powered SUVs, like a three-row counterpart in the fleet, the EV9 held its own. This proved that electric vehicles can be a viable and rewarding choice for extended trips. With its innovative design and thoughtful engineering, the Kia EV9 continues to impress as a forward-thinking solution for modern travel.
Kia’s Commitment to Innovation: Adjustable Brake Regen in the EV9
The Kia EV9 stands out with its adjustable brake regeneration system, a feature that enhances both efficiency and driver control. Using the steering wheel paddles, drivers can effortlessly adjust the level of regenerative braking. This ranges from zero regen for a traditional driving feel to full one-pedal driving for maximum energy recovery.
This functionality is particularly advantageous in varying terrains, such as mountainous regions, where optimizing energy use becomes even more critical. The ability to tailor the driving experience in real time contributes to efficiency and adds a layer of personalization to the drive. The system’s versatility showcases Kia’s commitment to innovation, making the EV9 an appealing choice for drivers seeking advanced electric vehicle technology.
Modern Meets User-Friendly: The EV9’s Thoughtful Interior
The Kia EV9’s interior design and features showcase a blend of style and practicality that enhances the driving experience. The cabin impresses with its sleek design and intuitive physical controls, reflecting Kia’s focus on creating a modern yet user-friendly environment. Positioned between the digital gauge cluster and the infotainment touchscreen, the climate control display adds a seamless aesthetic to the dashboard.
While its location may not always be ideal for every driver, the overall layout ensures easy access to the most-used functions. The capacitive buttons along the dash-spanning trim piece further enhance the vehicle’s clean, contemporary look, balancing form with functionality. In terms of reliability, the EV9 has demonstrated solid performance over 10,000 miles.
Reliable Design, Minimal Hassles
A minor issue with the wireless charging pad was promptly resolved under warranty, alongside the completion of routine recalls. Maintenance costs have been impressively low, with just a tire rotation and multipoint inspection required so far.
These aspects highlight the EV9’s thoughtful design and dependable build, making it an appealing option for those seeking a stylish, capable electric SUV. The review team from The Drive claimed that the EV9 is “the most fun 3-row SUV on the market, and just happens to be electric!”

Why the Kia EV9 Leads the Charge in the Electric SUV Revolution
Currently, the Kia EV9 stands in a unique position within the electric SUV market. Few vehicles offer the same combination of size, style, practicality, and features. While the Mercedes EQS SUV and BMW iX present strong luxury options, they cater to a different audience. Similarly, the Cadillac Lyriq, though stylish, doesn’t match the EV9 in size or versatility, making it more suitable for those seeking a compact option.
The Rivian R1S emerges as a potential competitor due to its similar size, bold design, and focus on practicality. However, the EV9 distinguishes itself with its thoughtful design and a blend of comfort and functionality tailored to a wider audience. This unique positioning makes the Kia EV9 an outstanding choice for those seeking a spacious, stylish, and capable electric SUV.
Let us know if you have had a positive experience (or otherwise!) with the EV9 in the comments below! While many purists are holding on tightly to gas-powered models, there are many consumers eagerly making the shift to EVs. As the economic and political landscape ebbs and flows, drivers have varying opinions about efficiency. Here’s also another article about this popular and efficient EV to enjoy!
Evs are way too costly compared to ice powered vehicles, somehow EVs are not fashion statements than practical, I have FOUR cars in the family replace wih EVs woud cost me about $400 000. Versus close to $200 000.gas powered!
The R1S range and capabilities make it a much more refined vehicle compared to the cheaper/lower range EV9. The 75-80MPH highway range on the EV9 sadly doesn’t meet expectations.