Kia EV9 GT Review & Prices

Every big, practical family SUV should have a performance version, right? Kia certainly thinks so, and the all-electric EV9 GT is here to fulfil the brief. It’s an enormous seven-seater with loads of standard kit that’s fast and fun to drive, but it’s very expensive, pretty uncomfortable and it just doesn’t make all that much sense.

With its plethora of clever tech - both driving and on board - the EV9 GT is a bit like a top-of-the-range MacBook Pro with the largest screen going. Sure, there’s something undeniably impressive about it, but are you really going to use it to its full potential, or are you better off with a cheaper, less powerful alternative?

SUV alternatives include the regular EV9 which is so good that it’s impossible to overlook, as is its mechanically similar Hyundai Ioniq 9 counterpart. The Peugeot E-5008 is a touch smaller and sleeker, while the Volvo EX90 is an altogether more subtle proposition. For maximum interior space you should check out the Volkswagen ID Buzz and Kia PV5 Passenger, too.

Driving the GT is much like any other EV9. It’s a big ol’ thing to thread through narrow city streets, with corners that are hard to judge and a huge turning circle. The standard-fit 360-degree cameras help when manoeuvring, at least.

The suspension that lets the EV9 GT down in town. It’s simply too firm, jiggly and unsettled over rough roads and potholes. It’s sporty, yes, but even a Porsche 911 is more composed a lot of the time - and that’s a bona fide sports car.

Kia EV9 GT: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 316 miles
Efficiency: 2.8mi/kWh
Battery size: 99.8kWh
Max charge speed: 210kW
Charge time AC: 14hrs 15mins (10-100%, 7.4kW)
Charge time DC: 24mins (10-80%, 210kW)
Charge port location: Right side, rear
Power outputs: 502hp

Things settle down nicely on the motorway and the EV9 GT is a brilliant car to travel long distances in, so long as you don’t mind some roar from the high-performance tyres and frequent charging stops.

Where the EV9 GT really impresses is on a twisty road, because there’s an odd sensation to something this large being quite so fun to drive. It’s way too big with far too vague steering to really hustle down a narrow British county lane, but on the right stretch of road in ‘GT’ mode and with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N-style simulated gearshifts you can definitely crack a smile.

While the EV9 GT may be the same size as your average cottage, Kia’s designers have done a bang-up job of making it look fast, haven't they? Okay so the lime green accents are a bit naff, but they add a menacing air to the already intimidating EV9, while the extra LED details around the front lights add more sporting touches to the upright front end. The wheels are pretty cool, too.

Hoist yourself up into the lofty cabin and you’re treated (or subjected to?) to more of the same sportiness with a smattering of lime-green trims, stitching and buttons dotted around the EV9 GT’s huge interior. The basic architecture is the same as any other EV9, with a three-in-one display set on top of the stepped-back dashboard.

The seats look brilliant with cushion patterns not dissimilar from what you can get in a Ferrari, while the lime green GT button on the steering wheel hints at the sporting pretentions lurking under the skin of this enormous bus. Otherwise you’re surrounded by largely plush upholstery, highly adjustable seats which are very comfy and enough storage cubbies to lose many small items in.

Things are even better in the back, as the EV9 GT’s tall roofline and massive wheelbase mean there’s ample room for even the tallest of adults to stretch out. Six-seater models are even more extravagant with their individual, armrest-equipped seats that fold right back, while the third row is room enough for six-footers to stay comfortable on long trips. There are multiple cup holders and for every passenger, and every seat is heated, too.

With the final pair stowed away (electrically, wouldn’t you know?) there’s a generous 828-litre boot to fill. Raise them up and the 333 litre cargo capacity is fine, if nothing more. A Peugeot E-5008 dual motor is roomier still.

There’s a sole battery and motor combo in the EV9 GT, with a 99.8kWh capacity and 502hp for a maximum range of 316 miles and a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds. We saw efficiency of 2.4mi/kWh, for 240 real-world miles. With a 210kW charging speed you can top the battery up from 10 to 80% in 24 minutes.

Verdict

The Kia EV9 GT really is a rolling juxtaposition. A seven-seater SUV that can outpace a hot hatchback while potentially being very cheap to run if you have a home charger is pretty niche, but if you can live with the firm suspension then it’s a capable - but pricey - proposition.

Find the latest Kia EV9 GT deals on Carwow, as well as EV9 GT leasing offers and used EV9 GTs for sale through our trusted dealer network. There are other used Kias for sale, too, and Carwow can even help you sell your current car when it’s time to make the switch.

The EV9 GT sits at the top of the EV9 range, so the only real price change comes from whether you want a seven-seater at £83,000 or a six-seater at £84,000. The only difference between the two is the interior layout, with the lesser-occupant version being a bit posher at the expense of an extra seat.

Considering a regular EV9 starts at almost £67,000 that’s a hefty jump, and it’s also more expensive than the (more luxurious) Twin Motor Volvo EX90.

As standard the GT comes with 21-inch alloy wheels, sports body styling with lime green accents, a glass roof, electronic limited slip differential and simulated gear shifts, adaptive suspension, head-up display and heated seats all-round.