There are only a handful of fully electric three-row SUVs on the market, and despite its nearly $55,000 starting price, Kia's offering is among the most affordable.
I drove the 2026 Kia EV9 for a week to see if it deserves the What Car? Car of the Year Best Electric Seven-Seat SUV, IIHS Top Safety Pick+, Fleet News Best Large SUV, and Cars.com Best Electric Vehicle of 2026 awards.
The Kia EV9 GT-Line all-wheel drive model that I tested is the highest trim of the electric SUV, and it starts under $72,000. Entry-level models start at a more modest $54,900.
The vehicle is available in five trims, with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options.
I've recently tested other crossover electric SUVs, including the fully electric Chevrolet Blazer,
Toyota bZ, and Lexus RZ. I have also reviewed hybrid three-row SUVs like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Grand Highlander.
Here's what I learned after a week behind the wheel of Kia's three-row crossover electric SUV.
What makes the 2026 Kia EV9 stand out?
The Kia EV9 stands out for its modern features, smooth handling, and appealing exterior. The vehicle is available in eight exterior color options, including the wolf gray with ebony black model I tested, which consistently drew attention during my week behind the wheel.
During testing, the Kia EV9's interior and cargo area felt spacious for daily driving needs. I also enjoyed the Blazer EV's large infotainment screen and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. I drove the Kia EV9 over 300 miles in my week of testing, putting it through its paces on flat interstate highways, suburban streets, and roads with winding hills and tight corners. It handled each terrain with aplomb.
How does the 2026 Kia EV9 drive?
The vehicle had quick acceleration, even on very steep hills, and handled well around tight curves on two-lane roads. The vehicle felt powerful enough that it could have been confused with being a traditional gas-guzzling car, save for its super quiet engine that is now a hallmark of electric cars.
The EV9 gets an EPA-estimated 280 miles of range, according to Kia. The vehicle gets the equivalent of 101 mpg in city driving and 76 mpg on highways.
The model I tested had a max range of 362 miles when it arrived with 99% battery charge. It took me about 24 minutes and cost me about $38 to charge the battery from 27% to 85% at a public charger after a week of testing. The EV9 came with a Tesla supercharger-compatible port built-in. I had to use an adapter to connect it to a nearby Electrify America public charger that used the non-Tesla CSS, or Combined Charging System.
Once I figured that part out, charging was a breeze. I was able to track the battery's progress from an app on my phone while I was picked up a few items from a nearby grocery store.
The Kia EV9 is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous dual electric motor. Kia said the vehicle packs 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
Will the 2026 Kia EV9 fit your lifestyle?
The Kia EV9 that I tested is 197.4 inches long, 77.9 inches wide without considering the mirrors, and 70 inches tall, counting the roof rails.
The GT-line trim all-wheel-drive model I tested offered about 20 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats, which I found sufficient for luggage and grocery hauls. With the rear seats folded, cargo space expands to about 43 cubic feet, enough room to tote small pieces of furniture.
There's also available storage under the hood, though the Kia EV9 doesn't have a full "frunk."
The EV9 comfortably fit my family of five. The model I tested offered seating for six passengers and 41.2 inches of headroom for front row passengers and 39.8 inches on the second row. Third-row passengers get 39.5 inches of headroom in the vehicle.
Is the 2026 Kia EV9 worth it?
The Kia EV9 costs less than the average price of an electric car, which was $56,126 in July 2026, according toCox Automotive's Kelley Blue Book. It's also in line with the average price of a mid-size gas-powered crossover SUV, which was $50,144, according to Cox.
The Kia EV9 is available in five trims, ranging from the entry-level light rear-wheel drive starting at $54,900 to the top trim GT-Line all-wheel-drive retailing for $71,900. The model I tested had add-ons that increased the sticker price to more than $76,000.
The GT-Line trim model I tested came with 21-inch alloy wheels and front and second-row seats that can be heated or ventilated. It had a Meridian premium 14-speaker audio system and dual sunroofs.
I enjoyed the GT-Line Kia EV9 I tested. If I were shopping for one, I'd likely choose the less expensive Wind trim, which starts at $63,900. The Wind trim is the first trim available with all-wheel drive, and while it comes with smaller 19-inch wheels, it still includes a 29-inch panoramic display with built-in navigation, along with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.
The Kia EV9 competes in the fully electric three-row SUV segment with models from competitors such as the Cadillac Escalade IQ, Cadillac Vistiq, Hyundai Ioniq 9, Lucid Gravity, Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90.
Who should buy the 2026 Kia EV9?
The 2026 Kia EV9 is a compelling option for buyers seeking a powerful electric SUV with sturdy handling and distinctive styling. The GT-Line model I tested seats up to six passengers.
The EV9 model I tested came with a 29.6-inch panoramic diagonal touchscreen display with built-in navigation, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. It has the Kia Connect system that allows owners to start their cars and adjust temperatures remotely from their phones.
The EV9 also has a 12-inch heads-up display that projects driver personalization, warning messages, and vehicle messages onto the lower part of the windshield to help keep drivers' eyes focused on the road. The EV9 is also equipped with safety features such as auto emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, parking sensors and lane keep assist, among other available technologies.
Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: I drove one of the few electric three-row SUVs. Kia's EV9 delivers
