Key Points
- Striking futuristic design that looks like a concept SUV brought to life.
- Spacious and highly practical three-row interior with premium materials and flexible seating.
- Strong dual-motor performance and smooth ride, though efficiency isn’t class-leading.
The three-row electric SUV market is still relatively small, but the 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD enters its third year with a truly attractive EV package that includes room for six, dual motor power, solid range, DC fast charging, and a truly impressive tech set. Kia raises the bar by delivering one of the most compelling three-row SUVs, not just in the EV space. In my third test drive of this top-trim spec EV9, I loaded it up with family, sports gear, and groceries for a full week.
My test vehicle’s base price was $71,900. Standard feature highlights included 21-inch alloy wheels, GT-Line exterior and interior styling, digital pattern lighting grille, dual sunroofs, smart power liftgate, dual 12.3-inch screen panoramic display, heated and ventilated front seats and 2nd-row Captain’s chairs, front passenger Comfort Tilt seat with leg support, wireless phone charger, SynTex seating surfaces, smartphone digital key, heated steering wheel, digital rearview mirror, Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, and a head-up display. After optional equipment and a destination charge of $1,495, the total price came to $76,670.
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Exterior and Interior Styling – 9/10
The EV9 isn’t what I’d call a modern classic, but the mere fact that it looks just as good today as when it debuted for the 2024 model year speaks to its great design. Up front, the EV9’s Digital Tiger Face grille area (an evolution of the brand’s iconic Tiger Nose grille) is framed by bold LED lighting signatures that create a distinctive geometric look. The GT-Line adds unique lighting animations, gloss-black trim elements, and exclusive wheels that give the SUV a more aggressive presence. The front end blends a solid faux grille with intricate geometric shapes for the multi-element vertical LED headlights, and the GT-Line’s unique lower fascia trim. The front end manages to be daring without overdoing it.
The EV9’s shape is SUV boxy but also quite complex. The shapes midght seem disparate, but they work incredibly well to deliver a look that’s not derivative. The angular fender trim, pill-shaped flush door handles, and the huge D-pillar uptick give the EV9 a freshness from the side view. The EV9 is also well-proportioned and manages to pull off the modern look perfectly. It has managed to age well over the past three years.
The EV9 GT-Line’s cabin is consistent with the look of the futuristic exterior. The edgy-looking steering wheel and linear dash mate well with the attractive seats and handsome door cards. The cabin feels open and minimalist, with a wide dashboard and floating center console. The two-tone SofTex seat material is perforated and has creased inserts for a truly upscale appearance. Even the headrests in every row look and feel premium. The GT-Line logo is embossed in the upper backrests of the front row, a nice touch.
Kia
The interior design also feels airy thanks to the panoramic glass roof and slim front pillars that improve outward visibility. Ambient lighting adds a subtle premium touch at night. The GT-Line trim also adds distinctive interior details such as sportier accents, upgraded detailing, and unique stitching that help it feel more upscale than the lower trims.
The flat panel that contains the infotainment’s touch controls is beautiful. It’s also lightly textured, and it befits the rest of the clean cabin. Coupled with the climate control screen sandwiched between the larger 12.3-inch screens, the infotainment touch panel leaves something to be desired.
Infotainment and Technology – 9/10
What would a cutting edge EV be without properly modern (and sizable) in-car technology The centerpiece of the EV9 GT-Line is Kia’s wide panoramic display that combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a matching infotainment screen into one cohesive panel. It’s a high-end look for a $70k+ EV. The system is responsive and easy to navigate, with clear menus and intuitive controls. The touch panel we mentioned before, isn’t great to use. I prefer physical buttons. It’s easy to miss them when you’re driving, which happened to me often.
Wireless smartphone integration is standard, and voice commands are far more capable than earlier Kia systems. The EV9 also includes a smaller climate control display between the main screens, allowing drivers to adjust temperature and fan settings without diving through infotainment menus. It’s an interesting location. While it’s easy to reach, it’s obscured by the right side of the steering wheel. There are temp and fan control buttons on the center stack, thankfully. The scroll wheel for the audio volume isn’t great to use while driving. I inadvertently powered the sound system off several times. Whoever designed it wasn’t in motion when they were using it.
The clear instrument display throws up important data including speed, range, battery levels, and power distribution, as well as traffic data and drive modes. Driver assistance tech is extensive. The SUV offers advanced highway driving assistance that helps maintain lane position, adjust speed based on traffic, and reduce driver fatigue during long trips. Parking assistance features are also helpful, including camera views that make maneuvering a large SUV easier.
Another notable feature is vehicle-to-load capability, which allows the EV9 to power external devices. Whether you’re camping or dealing with a power outage, the ability to run appliances directly from the vehicle adds a unique layer of practicality. Over-the-air updates help keep the system current, meaning new features and improvements can arrive without a dealership visit.
Comfort, Space, and Usability – 9.5/10
The EV9 was clearly designed with families in mind, and that shows in the way the interior space is laid out. The front seats are plush (but not too plush), well-bolstered, and comfortable for long drives. The GT-Line trim includes SofTex faux leather that does a damn fine job of mimicking the real thing. Heated and ventilated seats in the two front rows help make the EV9 comfortable in both winter and summer.
Second-row passengers get a whopping 42.8 inches of legroom. Headroom is generious thanks to the EV9’s tall, boxy shape. Access to the third row is surprisingly easy for a three-row SUV. The wide door openings and sliding seats make entry manageable even for adults. The third row offers usable space (30.8 inches of legroom) for both kids and average sized adults. The cushions are on the flat side, but they’re comfy enough. Tall adults will feel a little cramped, but they can fit and spend time back there on shorter drives.
The EV9 has ample cargo space, even with the third row in place, and you can fit a few pieces of rolling luggage in the 20.2 cubic feet. Folding the rear rows dramatically expands cargo capacity, turning the EV9 into a capable hauler for larger items. There are 43.5 cubes behind row two, and a voluminous 81.7 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. That’s a substantial amount of space for sports gear, luggage, and even Home Depot runs.
Driving Experience – 8.5/10
Despite its size, the EV9 GT-Line AWD feels surprisingly composed on the road. Its dual-motor setup delivers 379 horsepower for strong acceleration, giving the large SUV plenty of power when merging or passing. 0-60 happens in about 4.5 seconds, impressively quick for a big SUV. Instant electric torque makes the EV9 feel quick off the line, even with passengers and cargo on board.
The steering is light but accurate, and turning precision is very good. The body roll is kept in check thanks to the low center of gravity. It doesn’t feel engaging or connected to the road, but it is quick, sharp, and balanced. While you won’t mistake it for a sports SUV, it handles curves with more confidence than its size might suggest.
Kia’s focus on the EV9s ride comfort is apparent. Regardless of what I drove over, small potholes or expansion joints, the EV9 managed them like a luxury SUV. The suspension does an excellent job and makes commutes more relaxing, as a result. I never felt that the EV9 GT-Line, even with the larger 22-inch wheels, was harsh on undulating pavement. On top of that, the cabin remains impressively quiet at highway speeds, thanks to the absence of engine noise and very good sound insulation.
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Range remains competitive for a vehicle of this size, though not class-leading. In GT-Line AWD guise, there’s 280 miles of range on a full charge. It’s not quite as good as the Light Long Range model’s 304 miles, but it’s close. The 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD features 800-volt architecture, allowing it to charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 24 minutes using a 350kW DC fast charger.
Final Verdict – 9/10
I’m not a big EV fan, but if I were to buy one for my family, the 2026 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD would be at the top of my list. It has enough range for me to go four to five days without requiring a charge, and its fast-charging means shorter road trips aren’t a problem, either.
I also love the way it looks and its practical interior space and comfort. It’s one of the few electric SUVs that can carry six passengers while still delivering impressive technology and strong performance. The styling is one of its strong points, and the interior makes all the right moves. For families looking to transition to an electric vehicle without sacrificing space or versatility, the EV9 in its top trim is a winner.
