When pricing for the base model 2024 Kia EV9 was released last month, we couldn’t help but wonder what sort of premium features like all-wheel-drive and the long-range battery pack would command. Well, Kia has dropped the full pricelist, and trim-to-trim walkup is more reasonable than expected. The freight charge has been confirmed at $1,495, so the base model now retails for $56,395. Beyond that? Well, each step up seems remarkably reasonable.
Let’s say that you want your EV9 with the long-range battery pack because who wouldn’t? After all, 300 miles of range is a road trip benchmark, and an 800-volt architecture should make quick work of charging a 99.8 kWh battery pack. Well, the EV9 Light Long Range RWD stickers for $60,695, a sensible $4,300 premium over the short-range model.
Range is great, but what if you want more traction over slippery surfaces? Well, the cheapest all-wheel-drive model, the EV9 Wind e-AWD, stickers for $65,395 and comes with a handful of useful features for its $4,700 premium over the Light Long Range RWD trim. In addition to spitting power to all four wheels thanks to dual electric motors, it also gets a heat pump for cold-weather efficiency and a heated steering wheel, which is a genuinely life-changing feature. Sure, range drops to 270 miles on the standard wheels, but that’s still close enough to 300 miles that the added traction might be worth it.
Sounds great, but some shoppers might want more toys. That’s where the $71,395 EV9 Land e-AWD comes in. It takes the Wind e-AWD and builds on it with a 14-speaker Meridian stereo, a 360-degree camera system, 20-inch wheels, upgraded LED headlights, an exterior vehicle-to-load outlet for using the car as a battery bank, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, second-row captain’s chairs, and a whole host of cosmetic bits including 20-inch wheels that drop range to 253 miles. Thankfully, 19-inch rollers that bump range back up to 270 miles are available, which seems like a no-brainer option.
Oh, and if that’s not enough for you, the big daddy EV9 GT-Line stickers for $75,395 and throws everything and the kitchen sink at this battery-powered three-row crossover. I’m talking about executive lounge seats, a ghostride-the-whip mode that lets you park the crossover from its key fob, self-levelling rear suspension, a heads up display, a bump in torque to 516 lb.-ft., blingy 21-inch wheels, and a bounty of special visual touches. The only thing it gets less of is range, a disappointing 243 miles.
Even in its top trim, the Kia EV9 still stickers for less than a Volvo EX90, a Rivian R1S, or a Tesla Model X. However, things get interesting when you compare a Tesla Model X with an EV9 GT-Line. Sure, the Tesla may cost an extra $9,485 when equipped with a third row, but it’s eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit right away, whereas Kia plans to start EV9 production in Korea with American production following next year. Then there’s the “more” of the Tesla. Sure, the Kia has more toys, but the Model X has far more range at 349 miles, and it comes with access to North America’s most-reliable coast-to-coast DC fast charging network right away. If you’re a frequent road-tripper seeking some luxury, it might actually be worth springing for the Model X over a loaded EV9.
For everyone else, the 2024 Kia EV9 should represent a relative bargain. After all, the pool of large, three-row electric crossovers is sized more like a hot tub, and this Kia is far less expensive than any other option. Expect these quiet family haulers to start rolling into showrooms by the end of the year, although something tells me that dealers will have a difficult time retaining stock.
(Photo credits: Kia)
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Does the 3-row version of the Model Y apply to this discussion? Probably not considered a “large 3-row.” (It starts at $50,990.)
the model y’s third row is charitably at best for a puppy. i’ve never seen a more useless seat in a car
Smaller than a 911 back seat?
my gf can, in a pinch sit in the back of my 996. There is no way on earth she can fit in her pop’s model y third row.
Try an Aston Martin Vantage or Mercedes 560SL rear seat 😀
as a child, I would be insanely into the model Y third row, but as someone with a passing interest in child life preservation, I don’t think I’d let a child use it.
While technically a three row midsized SUV, I wouldn’t cross shop the two. The three row Model X is probably closer with a third row more suitable to human occupancy.
The Rivian R1S is the only other true competitor I can think of that’s available currently on the market. There are two three row Mercedes, but I’m not sure what the prices or availability are.
Mercedes EQS (SUV is a 3 row) and starts at $105k
https://www.mbusa.com/en/vehicles/class/eqs/suv
At least for the US Market…
There are 3 Mercedes EV SUVs
1. EQB – 2 rows (5 seat) $53k starting price
2. EQE* – 2 rows (5 seat) $78k starting price
3. EQS – Mercedes 3 row 7 seater $105k starting price
*just like the “chevy lumina” offered once upon a time as both a van and a car… the EQE ev SUV is not to be confused with the EQE ev sedan which starts ar $74k
I think the interesting thing is the Heat pump is locked to AWD models only, so while an e-AWD car with the 19″ wheels SHOULD only be able to do 270 miles vs the single motors 300, in practice in colder temperatures, the AWD will absolutely outperform the single motor due to the massive efficiency bumps via heat pump over the base cars resistive heating.
1st making the heat pump optional based on the trim level is stupid
Extra stupid forcing people to pay extra for it w/awd, especially when and comes w/a 10% range penality.
While nice to have, with torque vectoring on electric cars can be pretty damn fantastic. For literal decades LEO squads have been rid in all parts, even where frosty lives
This is a mid-sized three row SUV and competes in that class. The most direct ICE competitor is the Kia Telluride. I struggle to get that vehicle up to $55k since the base Telluride is $36K + destination. The Grand Cherokee L three row starts at $42K and tops out above $72k.
Bottom line, the headline is misleading. There is still a premium to go EV with Kia.
Yeah, we’re in a weird zone where journalists are mostly comparing EVs against each other, but a lot of buyers are comparing within size/capability classes, fuel-agnostic.
$19k will buy a lot of gas, especially when you’re also charged interest on it over a 5-6 year loan.
Until they get the tax incentives, no one with any sense will be buying these(or any other made outside the US EVs). They will be leased.
And yes $19k buys a lot of gas- but in California or other expensive gas states it starts to make sense pretty quickly. If you can manage to charge off peak($.20 kWh), and you can manage 3.5 miles/kWh, assuming you drive 12k miles a year, and compared to 25mpg gas at $5/gal(all relatively conservative numbers), going electric saves $1700 a year. Over 6 years that’s $10k. If you can get the $7,500 and any other incentives, suddenly you’re at a break even point. If you can charge at work? Even better. Note, at my house right now gas is closer to $6 a gallon than $5.
Just looked up telluride numbers. At 20mpg and $6 a gallon, you’re looking at $17k over 6 years before factoring any incentives.
$65k for AWD is a tough pill to swallow. Then again it’s $20k more than a Telluride EX AWD which gets frankly abysmal gas mileage at 20 combined.
Is it worth it: According to fueleconomy.gov a Telluride costs about $2700 a year in fuel. A Model X costs about $700. Assuming the EV9 is about MX efficient, that’s a $2000/year savings. So breaking even is about 10 years. With a full tax credit that brings the break even to 6.25 years. Or about the time a first owner owns a vehicle on average. Maintenance will be about even with oil changes giving way to tire replacement on the EV. Put like that it’s a wash for TCO in a decade.
Darn, either way those are luxury vehicle running costs. Bummer.
I like your analysis except I think the EV maintenance would be less, not even. Thinking about all the additional stuff besides oil changes you wouldn’t have to do: exhaust, timing belt, brakes less often… That said, I don’t know how badly EVs eat tires.
When was the last time you did maintenance? Exhaust and timing belt? Maybe at 150k miles. Also, most brakes nowadays last 60-100k miles if you’re not driving aggressively.
Um, Saturday. Yeah, I’m realizing my perspective on maintenance is kinda skewed. I’m maintaining a fleet of 4 is between 13 and 31 years old. Fixing stuff almost weekly. If it’s not wearing out, it’s rusting out here in New England. An EV with a lot fewer parts sounds pretty appealing
Well. Most gas cars have a 120k maintenance interval which includes…
1. Timing belt
2. Accessory belts (+ water pump & thermostat)
3. Spark plugs (even platinum tipped ones)
4. Good pt. to check brakes (pads and discs)
5. Replace all fluids & related (brake, coolant, trans., fuel filter, power steering)
And of course some mechanics recommend 60k intervals for coolant, Trans fluid and differential fluid
B/C I like to keep my cars a long time and bc I don’t think a lot of people go to all this work this is exactly why when I buy a car with this many miles and I do the above work or hire out the parts I don’t want to do, like the belts and water pump since they go together & are quite involved.
I don’t have any direct experience. That said a heavy foot plus instant torque eating tires in 15-20k miles seems possible for some people. I’m assuming 30k for a set before they’re down to 4/32″ at which hydroplaning resistance drops. A gas vehicle may get 45k-60k miles on the same set. So $400 for 4 dealer oil changes in 20k miles vs needing tires sooner.
That’s not accounting for the time savings with the EV in commuting use such as not needing to spend time at the gas station or time lost due to routine ICE maintenance. The vast majority of Tellurides in my area are parked at single family homes so availability of home charging is another assumption. Anecdotally my relatives with BEV’s or PHEV’s love the time savings.
It’s still a bit much.
Financially and visually.
While that may be true, it has those stupid flush electric door handles.
I’d pay a ridiculous sum of money for regular mechanical door handles over electric door handles for a car I otherwise like.
Unpopular opinion, perhaps, but I think it’s ugly, whatever the price.
Saves me a trip to my local KIA dealer!
When they do come out with the NACS plug on this vehicle it will be worth a close look!
I can’t believe I’m being told that a KIA that sells for well over 80k after taxes is a good deal.
People pay that for Audis or Alfas that spend a third of their lives in the shop and leave you stranded.
Oh right I forgot about kia’s reputation for quality and reliability.
They couldn’t even be bothered to slap a genesis badge on it
If you’re lucky enough to find one on a lot, it’ll be a GT line with a $25k “market adjustment”.
We’ll see. The dealers are knocking thousands off of the EV6, and it gets good reviews, so this may not sell as well as these reviews seem to expect.
My local scam Kia dealer shows this, with the Kia manufacturer offers. I find the wording “Conditional” term hilarious. For shits & giggles I should go see the ADM and dealer installed options, bet its prolly $10k.
New 2023 Kia EV6 GT SUVMSRP $63,215
Conditional Incentives -$6,300
Conditional Final Price $56,915
Price does not include dealer installed options or accessories, Tax, Title and Processing Fees.
Yours is more scammy than the ones around here. The two here are knocking money off before the incentives. Like $6000 off, then $5000 Kia incentive on a loan or $7500 on a lease. A couple of those have things like the illuminated sill plates for $400, but it’s still significant money off at a time I’m still seeing dealers tacking markups on other things. There’s a Toyota dealer around here with a “sale” that is slightly reduced markups on RAV4 hybrids and the like. Still like $1500-2500 markups, though.
A GT, at the dealer I’ve been dealing with on a warranty repair, shows $62,960 MSRP, minus $6000 dealer discount. $56,960, then $5000 off on a loan or cash, $7500 off on a lease (for qualified buyers). The GT mode still doesn’t make it worth 50k to me, but it really shows the EV6 hasn’t been the surefire hit that reviews made it out to be.