Kia EV9 review - Electric motor, drive & performance

We’ve now driven the EV9 in entry-level single-motor Air, and dual-motor GT-Line S guise, and one of the key things we noticed was just how quiet it was. Of course, electric cars are usually quieter than cars with a combustion engine as you pull away, but even the slightest motor whine or tyre noise was notably absent from the EV9, which could take getting used to for some buyers. It’s no bad thing, though, as it equates to a high level of refinement and comfort for its occupants, and we found it more refined than a plug-in hybrid Volvo XC90.

With a much smoother driving technique, it feels balanced, predictable and well-planted on the road. All things considered, the balance between driving dynamics and comfort is right, and the steering feels well-weighted. We think the EV9 will be a great car to do the school run, cover long distances in, or even drive at moderate speeds around a twisty road.

The brakes are particularly effective at stopping the EV9, despite its size and hefty weight. The strength of the regenerative braking can be configured by choosing one of several modes which range from being barely noticeable and offering almost enough stopping power to allow for one-pedal driving. We like the paddles behind the steering wheel which allow for extra adjustment of the regenerative braking intensity easily and while on the move – it’s a feature we wish was included on more EVs.

Is the Kia EV9 good to drive in town?

The EV9 irons out bumps and imperfections in the road excellently, and it manages to do so without the use of air suspension or adaptive dampers. In suburban environments, it’s incredibly soft and comfortable.

At first, manoeuvrability might seem daunting in tighter streets where the EV9’s large dimensions become very apparent – the rear windscreen feels further back than in a Kia Sportage or Sorento. However, the EV9’s surprisingly short bonnet up front does help when parking, as do its many sensors and cameras – most drivers will find they get used to it very quickly, thanks to the EV9’s impressive visibility.

Is the Kia EV9 good to drive on long journeys?

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Quite honestly, modern electric-car performance figures have skewed our perception of what a large SUV should be capable of, and the EV9 Air never felt like it was lacking in power, so should be plenty capable enough for most drivers. Of course the focus in a car like this is comfort, and this is an area in which the EV9 excels. It’s a great long-distance cruiser and punchy performance means overtaking is a breeze.

Is the Kia EV9 good to drive on B-roads?

On the rural, winding roads of Inverness, Scotland, in early winter, the EV9 felt very capable. Despite being such a large, heavy car, the twin-motor version we were driving felt quick, though that’s little surprise given its high power figure that yields an impressive 5.3-second 0-62mph sprint time. 

The Kia EV9’s comfort-focussed setup does mean that agility could be better. Swift changes of direction result in a fair bit of body roll at higher speeds and the EV9 takes some time to settle, but dynamic driving is a lot to expect of such a large, heavy SUV and it’s best driven less aggressively. 

0-62mph and top speed

UK buyers can choose an EV9 with one or two electric motors – which also dictates how many wheels are driven – and the standard 200bhp rear-wheel drive model gets from 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds. We’ve tested the dual-motor AWD version, with 378bhp which drops this figure to 5.3 seconds. 

It’s nowhere near as much power as a Tesla Model X, but we could still feel a noticeable surge in acceleration if we pressed the accelerator at any speed in the EV9. This was more noticeable in Sport mode, which also makes the weighty steering even firmer.