2025 Kia EV9 Review: Real Cost of Going Big and Electric
2025 Kia EV9 review covering all trims from $56,395, EPA range up to 304 miles, ownership costs, and how it stacks up against the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X.
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What It Is
The 2025 Kia EV9 seats up to seven people, travels up to 304 miles on a charge, and starts under $57,000. That combination is rare in the electric three-row SUV space, where most competitors cost significantly more or seat fewer passengers. The EV9 is not a refresh or a carry-over model. It launched as a fully new nameplate, built on Hyundai Motor Group's 800-volt E-GMP platform, the same architecture that underpins the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.
The target buyer is a family that has already decided on an electric vehicle and needs real cargo space and a third row that adults can actually use. This is not a token third row that folds flat for storage. The EV9's third-row seat accommodates adults on shorter trips without serious complaint, which separates it from smaller crossovers that add a third seat as an afterthought.
The EV9 competes directly with the Rivian R1S, the Tesla Model X, and, at the lower end of its price range, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. Kia is betting that buyers will choose value and practicality over brand prestige, and on paper, the case is strong.
Trims and Pricing
Kia offers the EV9 in four trim levels. A destination charge of $1,395 applies to all trims and is not included in the base prices below.
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|
| Light Long Range RWD | $56,395 | 99.8 kWh battery, single motor, 304-mile range, 8-inch passenger display |
| Wind Long Range RWD | $63,895 | 14.5-inch infotainment screen, 12-speaker Meridian audio, power-folding mirrors |
| Wind Long Range AWD | $67,895 | Dual motors, 270-mile range, all-wheel drive |
| Land Long Range AWD | $76,895 | Nappa leather, 21-inch wheels, head-up display, relaxation seats |
You can configure your own EV9 at Kia's official build-and-price page. Federal tax credit eligibility for the EV9 depends on buyer income limits and final assembly location, so confirm current eligibility with your dealer before purchasing.
Powertrain Options
Every 2025 EV9 uses the same 99.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The difference between trims is the motor setup.
The rear-wheel-drive single-motor configuration produces 201 horsepower and is available on the Light and Wind trims. The EPA rates this powertrain at 304 miles of range. Efficiency comes in at 87 MPGe combined.
The dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup produces 379 horsepower and is available on the Wind AWD and Land trims. The EPA rates this version at 270 miles of range, with a combined efficiency of 78 MPGe. The AWD version also unlocks a boost mode that delivers 443 horsepower for short bursts.
Charging on the 800-volt architecture is one of the EV9's practical advantages. Using a compatible DC fast charger, the battery can add enough charge for roughly 60 miles in about six minutes under ideal conditions. A full charge from 10 to 80 percent takes about 25 minutes on a 350 kW charger. Home charging on a Level 2 charger fills the battery overnight.
The EV9 also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, meaning it can power external devices or appliances through a standard outlet adapter. Useful for camping or job sites.
Features and Technology
The infotainment system centers on a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster paired with a 12.3-inch touchscreen on the base Light trim, or a larger 14.5-inch touchscreen on Wind and Land trims. A separate 5-inch climate control display sits below. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. The system responds quickly and the menu layout is logical. There is no buried settings screen for basic functions.
Kia's Highway Driving Assist 2 comes standard and handles adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and automatic lane changes on the highway with a turn signal input. It works reliably on well-marked roads. In heavy urban traffic or construction zones, it requires more driver attention, as most systems in this class do.
Cargo space deserves attention. Behind the third row, the EV9 offers 20 cubic feet of space. Fold the third row and that grows to 42.7 cubic feet. Fold both rear rows and you have 86.9 cubic feet. There is also a front trunk (frunk) that holds about 2.5 cubic feet, enough for a charging cable or a small bag.
The second row can be configured as either a three-passenger bench or two individual captain's chairs depending on the trim and package. The captain's chair configuration opens a walk-through to the third row, which is the practical choice for families with young children.
One detail worth calling out: the Land trim's front seats recline nearly flat when the vehicle is parked, which Kia calls relaxation seats. For charging stops on long trips, being able to stretch out rather than sit upright is a small but genuine comfort improvement.
Safety Ratings
The 2025 Kia EV9 has been submitted for testing, but full results from both NHTSA and IIHS are not yet published as of this writing. Check both agency websites directly for updated scores as they become available, since ratings often arrive several months after a vehicle goes on sale.
The EV9 comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keeping assist. These systems are active across all trim levels.
What It Costs to Own
The estimates below are based on the Wind Long Range RWD trim, priced at $63,895 before destination.
Depreciation: New vehicles typically lose between 15 and 22 percent of their value in the first year. For the Wind trim, that means roughly $9,600 to $14,000 in depreciation during year one. Electric vehicles from newer brands can depreciate faster than the industry average, but Kia has strong residual value support compared to some EV-only brands. Expect to land somewhere in the middle of that range.
Fuel: At 15,000 miles per year and an EPA-rated efficiency of 87 MPGe for the RWD model, you would use approximately 1,724 kWh per month, or about 4,310 kWh for a full year of driving. At the current national average residential electricity rate of roughly $0.16 per kWh, annual fuel costs come to approximately $690. That figure drops further if you charge primarily during off-peak hours.
Insurance: Full coverage on a new vehicle in this price range typically runs between $1,400 and $2,200 per year. The EV9's size and repair costs for the battery and high-voltage components can push premiums toward the higher end of that range. Get quotes from at least three insurers before buying.
Scheduled Maintenance: Kia includes three years or 30,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance. The first service visit involves tire rotation and a multi-point inspection. Without an engine or traditional transmission, oil changes and many routine fluid services are eliminated, which lowers long-term maintenance costs compared to a gasoline three-row SUV.
Estimated first-year cost for the Wind RWD: Depreciation ($9,600 to $14,000) plus fuel ($690) plus insurance ($1,400 to $2,200) plus minimal maintenance (covered under warranty) puts the total between approximately $11,690 and $16,890 for year one.
Competition
Rivian R1S: The R1S starts around $75,900 and has earned a strong reputation for off-road capability and build quality. It also offers more range in its Max Pack configuration. The EV9 costs meaningfully less, fits more passengers in a more traditional SUV layout, and has a wider dealer network for service. The R1S wins on adventure capability and software polish, but buyers who prioritize family utility and value will find the EV9 hard to dismiss.
Tesla Model X: The Model X starts above $79,990 and offers genuinely impressive performance and Tesla's Supercharger network, which remains one of the most reliable fast-charging networks in the country. The EV9 undercuts it on price by a significant margin and offers a more conventional interior layout that many buyers find easier to live with daily. The Model X wins on charging infrastructure and over-the-air software updates. The EV9 wins on value, interior space per dollar, and a warranty that is easier to understand.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz: The ID.Buzz arrived in the U.S. as a 2024 model and competes at a similar price point. It offers distinctive styling and a family-friendly interior, but its range falls short of the EV9, and cargo space is more limited. The EV9 is the more practical choice for buyers who need the full capability of a three-row SUV. The ID.Buzz makes more sense for buyers who prioritize style and smaller overall dimensions.
Bottom Line
The 2025 Kia EV9 is the best-value three-row electric SUV currently available in the United States. It is not the quickest, not the longest-range, and not the most technologically advanced option in the segment. It is, however, the one that comes closest to doing everything well at a price that does not require significant compromise elsewhere in your budget.
Buyers who should look elsewhere include those who frequently tow heavy loads, since the EV9's tow rating of 5,000 pounds is adequate but not class-leading. Those who depend entirely on public fast charging in areas with limited infrastructure may also want to wait until the charging network matures further. But for a family ready to go electric and unwilling to spend Rivian or Tesla money to do it, the EV9 makes a straightforward case for itself.
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