2024 Kia EV9 Long-Term Review: 5,000-Mile Deep Dive

Real-World Performance After 5,000 Miles

Our long-term evaluation of the 2024 Kia EV9 has reached a significant milestone at 5,000 miles, providing substantial data on what ownership of this groundbreaking three-row electric SUV truly entails. As one of the first affordable three-row EVs on the market, the EV9 carries considerable expectations for families transitioning to electric mobility.

Technical Challenges: The Instrument Panel Issue

One recurring problem has affected our overall ownership experience - intermittent instrument panel blackouts. This concerning issue, which temporarily blanks the driver's display, appears to be part of a broader recall affecting approximately 14,000 2024-2025 EV9 models. While not every staff member has encountered the problem, its unpredictable nature creates unnecessary stress during drives.

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Kia has announced an over-the-air (OTA) update to address the problem, highlighting both the advantages and limitations of modern vehicle software management. This situation serves as a case study in how even advanced EVs can suffer from teething problems that traditional automakers might have ironed out during longer development cycles for combustion vehicles.

Family-Friendly Performance Assessment

The EV9's primary selling point as a three-row electric family hauler receives mostly high marks in our testing. The spacious interior, comfortable ride quality, and striking exterior design make strong first impressions. However, extended road trips with larger families reveal some practical limitations:

• Cargo Capacity: While generous for daily use, the EV9's 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row can become tight when packing for multiple children on longer vacations.
• Range Anxiety: Certain routes, particularly in rural areas, still lack sufficient charging infrastructure to completely eliminate range concerns during family trips.
• Charging Time: The additional 30-45 minutes required for mid-trip charging adds noticeable time to family journeys compared to gas-powered alternatives.

When operating within its optimal conditions - daily commuting, school runs, and shorter weekend trips - the EV9 performs exceptionally well as a family vehicle. It's the extended, luggage-heavy vacations that sometimes stretch its capabilities.

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Towing Capabilities Put to the Test

Equipped with the optional Towing Package (increasing capacity from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds), our EV9 underwent rigorous towing evaluation. The results provide valuable insights into the current state of electric vehicle towing technology:

Performance Observations:

• The EV9 handles weight surprisingly well, with stable manners up to its maximum rating
• Regenerative braking proves particularly valuable when descending grades with a trailer
• Towing-specific drive modes help optimize power delivery and range

Range Impact:

• Towing at capacity reduces range by approximately 35-45% depending on conditions
• Frequent charging stops become necessary on longer hauls
• Careful route planning around charger locations is essential

Our testing confirms that while the EV9 can tow effectively, the experience remains fundamentally different from conventional tow vehicles. The added time for charging stops and reduced range between charges make it better suited for shorter towing needs rather than extended hauling.

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Efficiency: Where the EV9 Shines

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of our long-term EV9 experience has been its consistent energy efficiency. Despite mixed driving conditions including city commuting, highway trips, and even towing, our test vehicle has maintained:

• 2.9 miles/kWh overall average
• 2.95 miles/kWh prior average (now slightly decreased)
• 15% better than EPA estimates of 2.4 miles/kWh

This efficiency translates to real-world cost savings, though the financial picture depends heavily on charging habits. Our detailed tracking reveals:

The data clearly shows that while public fast charging offers convenience, it comes at a significant premium over home charging. This financial dynamic makes the EV9 most economical for owners with reliable access to home charging infrastructure.

Charging Experience: The Good and The Challenging

Our 5,000-mile journey with the EV9 has included numerous charging sessions across various networks, providing comprehensive insights into the current state of EV infrastructure:

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DC Fast Charging Realities:

• Average session cost: $32.14
• Average time spent: 31 minutes
• Peak charging rate observed: 235 kW

User Experience Notes:

• Network reliability varies significantly by location and provider
• Payment systems often remain cumbersome compared to gas station transactions
• Charger availability during peak travel times can be problematic

The EV9's 800-volt architecture does provide faster charging capability than many competitors, but real-world conditions often prevent achieving maximum potential speeds due to factors like:

• Battery state of charge upon arrival
• Temperature conditions
• Charger capability
• Shared power among multiple vehicles
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What's Next in Our Evaluation

As we continue our long-term assessment of the 2024 Kia EV9, several key areas remain for exploration:

• Digital Key Implementation: Evaluating the practicality and reliability of smartphone-as-key functionality
• Tesla Supercharger Compatibility: Testing the experience using Tesla's extensive charging network
• Cold Weather Performance: Monitoring range impact and charging speeds in winter conditions
• Long-Term Reliability: Tracking any emerging issues as mileage accumulates

These evaluations will provide even more comprehensive data for potential EV9 buyers considering this pioneering electric three-row SUV.

Final Impressions at the 5,000-Mile Mark

The 2024 Kia EV9 represents an ambitious step forward in electric family transportation, offering a compelling combination of space, style, and efficiency. Our long-term experience reveals both the impressive capabilities and current limitations of three-row EV ownership:

Notable Strengths:

• Exceptional real-world efficiency exceeding EPA estimates
• Comfortable, well-appointed interior with genuine three-row usability
• Confident driving dynamics for a vehicle of its size
• Competitive towing capability for an electric vehicle
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Areas for Improvement:

• Intermittent technical glitches like the instrument panel issue
• Limited cargo capacity for extended family trips
• Added time requirements for road trips due to charging stops
• Significant range reduction when towing

For families with access to home charging and primarily local driving needs, the EV9 presents a compelling electric alternative to traditional three-row SUVs. Those regularly taking extended road trips or frequently towing heavy loads may still find the current limitations of electric technology challenging.

As charging infrastructure continues to expand and EV technology evolves, many of these limitations will likely diminish. The EV9 stands as an impressive first effort in the three-row electric SUV segment, offering a glimpse at the future of family transportation while still bearing some marks of early-adopter growing pains.

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