Quick take
The Kia EV9 GT Line S is Kia’s electric flagship. It is big, bold and packed with tech, yet surprisingly easy to live with. I ran it for a full week thanks to Kia UK and filmed a full review for the Rivervale YouTube channel. After long drives to London and a coastal run from Brighton to Folkestone, it left a strong impression. It looks stunning, drives with real confidence and offers proper space for families. A few small niggles showed up during the week, but nothing that takes away from what is one of the most convincing full size electric SUVs on sale today.
First look
This is not just Kia’s biggest EV. It is their flagship. It carries the same design confidence seen in the EV6 and pushes it into a full size, three row SUV. It has the bold front end with vertical light signatures, sharp surfacing and a profile that gives it huge road presence.
Several major outlets have praised the design. After living with it, I agree. It draws attention in the same way a Range Rover does. Many owners seem to be switching for the electric range and tax savings, and I can fully understand why.
Design and cabin
The cabin is calm and spacious with a clean layout. The triple screen setup looks modern and the materials feel premium. Some lower plastics still feel more practical than luxury, but the overall impression is strong at this price.
The seats are exceptional. They are heated, ventilated and have a massage function for the driver. There is loads of adjustment too. The driving position is high with excellent visibility and the big windows help you place the car.
I did not fully gel with the digital rear view mirror, but you can switch it back to a normal mirror, which I ended up using most of the time.
Space and practicality
Space is one of the EV9’s strongest talking points.
Third row
The third row is not an afterthought. It is properly usable for adults on short or medium journeys and ideal for children. You get ISOFIX, cupholders and USB C ports back there. There is even seatback recline adjustment. Access is simple thanks to the second row sliding forward smoothly.
Six seat version
If you choose the optional six seat layout on GT Line S, you unlock a clever bit of flexibility. The two second row seats swivel to face the third row and slide to create huge legroom. It feels like a lounge and makes long family trips far more comfortable. If you want maximum comfort in all rows, the six seat version is worth serious thought.
Boot
Boot space is generous.
- 333 litres with all seats up
- 828 litres with the third row folded
- Over 2,300 litres with both rear rows folded flat
You also get a usable frunk at the front.
On the road
For something this size, the EV9 is a real surprise. It handled every journey far better than I expected.
It feels planted on the motorway and remains quiet even at higher speeds. The suspension smooths out bumps well and the steering is light in town but weightier on faster roads. There is a bit of tyre noise on rougher surfaces, which is common in large electric SUVs.
Cornering
The most surprising part is how well it manages corners. You can genuinely throw it into bends with confidence. The AWD system and low centre of gravity keep it stable and controlled. You do still feel the weight in tight turns, but it never feels clumsy. Kia has done a brilliant job with the chassis.
Braking
The brakes are powerful but the transition from regenerative braking to friction braking can feel slightly inconsistent. It is not a major issue, but worth mentioning.
Range and charging
Real world range is good but not quite at WLTP in winter. It was around six degrees during my week with the car and I consistently saw around fifty miles less than the official figure. It was still fine for my journeys, but worth noting.
Charging speed depends entirely on the charger you find. On a 50 kW unit, a 10 to 80 percent charge took around an hour and a half. On a high power 350 kW charger, Kia claims around twenty four minutes, so the potential is there if you have the right infrastructure.
Trims and pricing
The GT Line S sits near the top of the line up and gives you the full package. The Air trim offers the best range for less money, but the GT Line S adds more tech, a better sound system, more safety kit and the biggest wheels.
In terms of value, it does compare well to rivals like the BMW iX, Volvo EX90 and Tesla Model X. It delivers a lot of features for the price.
