Kia EV9

Inside the Kia EV9, you are greeted by one of the most premium cabins the brand has ever built.

Cabin Layout and Quality

The India-spec arrives with a dark brown and black dual-tone theme. The material finish is impeccable, giving it a rich and classy vibe. The dashboard holds a large 'Trinity Panoramic Display', a setup that puts a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a five-inch climate control screen, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display together. Thankfully, physical one-touch buttons remain for important menus.

As Girish points out,

"Inside, it’s easily the most premium Kia cabin ever."

Seating Comfort

Front Row

The driver gets an 18-way power-adjustable seat with a memory function. The steering wheel adjusts electrically for both tilt and reach. Seat cushioning is great for long trips, and the commanding view over the bonnet makes it easy to judge the edges.

Second Row

The second row offers a true boss experience. Passengers get captain seats featuring calf support, heating, ventilation, and a soothing massage function. A flat floor frees up a lot of legroom. You can even use the "Boss Mode" buttons to slide the front co-driver seat forward.

Third Row

Access to the back is simple with a one-touch folding button. While the space is decent here, it's mostly for kids or shorter adults on long trips. Occupants still get dedicated AC vents, cupholders, and USB Type-C ports.

Features That Improve Daily Use

• Meridian Premium Sound System with 14 speakers
• Head-up display and digital inside rearview mirror
• Three-zone automatic climate control with roof-mounted vents
• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function to power external devices
• Wireless smartphone charging pad with a cooling function

The EV9 is sold as a fully imported unit in India. It is available in a single, fully loaded GT-Line AWD trim. At Rs. 1.30 crore, its massive three-row seating and extensive equipment list have some seriously strong value to offer.

Ex-Showroom Prices (India)

Since this is a large, heavy electric vehicle, range is a crucial factor that’s always going to be discussed. The 99.8 kWh battery carries an ARAI-certified range of 561 km on a single charge. In real-world driving conditions, the SUV reliably covers over 400 km, but heavy use of the air conditioning and spirited highway runs will drop this number slightly. The EV9 also supports 350 kW DC fast charging, allowing the battery to jump from 10 to 80 per cent in just 24 minutes, so long road trips aren’t anything to worry about; they’re actually doable.

Observed Range During Testing

Safety is a core focus for this large family SUV, and it comes equipped with a comprehensive list of protective measures and strong structural integrity to keep everyone secure.

Passive Safety and Crash Protection

The base frame of the E-GMP platform feels incredibly solid. Kia provides 10 airbags inside the cabin, covering all three rows to protect occupants during an impact. The vehicle also includes standard ISOFIX child seat mounts, three-point seatbelts for all passengers and a rigid safety cell that handles rough road impacts gracefully.

Active Safety and Stability Systems

A wide array of sensors and cameras constantly monitor the road. The EV9 has a Level 2 ADAS suite with 27 autonomous functions, including auto emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Disc brakes on all four wheels provide strong stopping power, though panic braking does reveal the vehicle's heavy weight. You also get electronic stability control, a precise tyre pressure monitoring system and a digital rear-view mirror that switches to a camera feed if passengers block the back window.

Safety Verdict

The EV9 handles the tricky parts of road safety with confidence. Its mix of robust build quality and advanced electronic aids creates a very secure environment for large families. Overall, it bagged a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

Kia brings a heavy tech package to the EV9, ensuring buyers get exactly what they pay for at this high price point. The brand avoids overcomplicating the dashboard, sticking to a functional layout that remains easy to read under direct sunlight.

Infotainment and Interface

• The dashboard features the 'Trinity Panoramic Display' as mentioned before, grouping a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a five-inch climate control screen and a 12.3-inch main touchscreen.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, pushing crisp audio through the sound system.
• A dedicated head-up display projects critical driving data directly onto the windscreen.

According to Girish,

"I love that Kia kept physical one-touch buttons for the main menus instead of burying everything in a touchscreen."

Cabin Convenience and Practical Features

• Both the first and second rows offer heating, ventilation and massage functions to reduce fatigue.
• The second-row captain seats have power-adjustable leg support for comfortable long-distance travel.
• A 64-colour ambient lighting setup allows buyers to customise the interior vibe.
• The SUV includes a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) system, letting you power external appliances using the car's 99.8 kWh battery.
• Passengers also get an independently controlled three-zone climate system with roof-mounted AC vents.

With all three rows up, the EV9 gives you a usable 333 litres of boot space. It easily accommodates a couple of soft weekend bags or a single medium-sized suitcase. The wide opening and flat floor make loading heavy luggage less of a chore. If you need more room, the third row folds down flat at the touch of a button, freeing up enough space for extended family trips. Plus, the 52-litre front trunk (frunk) offers a handy spot to store charging cables or smaller items out of the way.

The EV9 sits on the E-GMP platform, carrying a massive battery pack low in the floor. The setup means the car has a low centre of gravity that masks its weight while on the move. The suspension setup, meanwhile, uses MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear optimised for passenger comfort.

City Driving

Navigating tight streets in a five-metre-long vehicle sounds intimidating, but the electric power steering is surprisingly light. The 379 bhp dual-motor setup delivers power smoothly without sudden jerks, making stop-and-go traffic easy to manage. Large windows and a digital rear-view mirror ensure visibility is clear.

Highway Driving

On the highway, the EV9 settles into a quiet, composed rhythm. The cabin isolates wind and tyre noise exceptionally well, and the soft suspension absorbs most road joints, though large dips can cause the SUV to bounce slightly. When you apply the brakes hard, the heavy nose does dive a bit.

Kia has kept things simple in India by offering the EV9 in just one fully loaded trim. You do not have to spend time debating over which feature pack makes the most sense.

At Rs. 1.30 crore, you get every safety and convenience feature the brand has to offer.

The Essentials That You Don’t Get

• No digital side mirrors for the Indian trim
• The international markets get larger 21-inch wheels
• Air suspension, which is common among its German rivals

Since there is only one variant available to buy in India (GT-Line AWD), there are no other options to mention here. However, we can point out how the single trim performs across different driving situations instead.

The GT-Line AWD is brilliant for those who prefer the back seat. The second-row captain chairs provide exceptional comfort with their massage functions and extended leg support. The ride remains quiet, making it a great space to work or relax on the move.

With a real-world range that easily crosses the 450 km mark, the EV9 handles intercity travel without constant charging anxiety. The independent climate zones and multiple USB Type-C ports also ensure kids in the third row stay happy and comfortable. 

Using a vehicle this large for daily office runs might seem excessive, but the light steering and 360-degree camera make parking surprisingly simple. The instant torque means you can quickly close gaps in traffic without breaking a sweat.