Kia EV9 Is Our 3-Row EV Best Buy of 2025

Family-friendly interior space
304-mile max range
Rapid charging
Excellent warranty
Pricing starts at $56,395 | Price yours
On sale now | See listings near you

There are surprisingly limited options from mainstream automakers for an electric vehicle (EV) with seating for seven. Although the stylish and high-tech Kia EV9 is one of few vehicles that meet these criteria, that doesn’t lessen its triumph as a fantastic family vehicle. Its spacious and accommodating 3-row interior makes it a good family SUV, while its 304-mile maximum range, ability to charge 150 miles worth of range in 15 minutes, and quick and quiet acceleration make it a great EV. A happy driver, comfortable passengers, and jealous neighbors are all but guaranteed with Kia EV9 ownership.

Family Flexibility

The Kia EV9 is a true midsize 3-row SUV. Its cargo and passenger dimensions are similar to those of its world-beating Kia Telluride stablemate, which is now a 6-time Best Buy Award winner and one of our Best Family Cars.

When outfitted with the second-row bench seat, the EV9 offers seating for seven. Available second-row captain’s chairs reduce seating capacity to six but deliver even greater comfort in the second row and make the third row easier to access. (In either configuration, the EV9 offers one fewer seating position than the Telluride, which has three seats in the third row.) We found third-row legroom more than adequate for the smaller and nimbler humans who are more likely to occupy the space, and it is better than what we’ve experienced in at least a few traditional midsize SUVs. Second-row passengers can slide up to give those in the wayback more legroom or slide back to maximize their own comfort when the last row is vacant.

Looking at cargo capacity, the EV9 offers a tad more space behind the third row than the roomy Telluride and a bit less with the second and third rows collapsed. This is a wash, really, and confirmation that the EV9 is a true family hauler.

Impressive Range, Power, and Charging Figures

The 2025 Kia EV9 is rated to travel up to 304 miles on a single charge. It can also hit 60 mph in a blistering 4.5 seconds. Both are impressive feats for a vehicle of its size and stature. While it’s important to note those numbers are mutually exclusive – the 304-mile EV9 takes almost twice as long to hit 60 mph as the 4.5-second version, for instance — the EV9 lineup offers buyers several compelling combinations of price, power, and range.

The EV9 also features Kia’s state-of-the-art 800-volt charging architecture, making it one of the quickest-charging EVs for sale today. Kia says the EV9 can take on 150 miles worth of electricity in just 15 minutes under optimal conditions. Using the more common 10%-to-80% charging benchmark, Kia says that can be done in just 24 minutes. We’ve learned to lower our expectations when charging EVs in the real world, but very few EVs will charge any faster than that.

Alluring Look and Feel

The EV9 is arguably the most boldly styled, forward-looking 3-row midsize SUV on the market, but we also found that it fits in as well as it stands out. And its appeal is similarly balanced inside. It’s a clean cabin dominated up front by an expansive panoramic display, but there are interesting design elements and materials throughout. Unlike some of the more austere cabins in the EV space, the EV9 boasts a contemporary richness that’s both fresh and familiar at once.

Inside the EV9 is a nice place to be, especially out on the road. The smooth, quiet, responsive power delivery that’s so addictive in other EVs works wonderfully well in a sizable SUV like the EV9. It glides around town and simply never feels like it’s even close to breaking a sweat. The visibility is good, the cabin is quiet, and light steering and natural-feeling brakes enhance the serene driving experience.

Combined with Kia’s outstanding driving assistance features, the EV9 is a downright pleasant travel partner, whether running errands around town or covering a couple hundred miles on the highway.

And just about any discussion of a Kia vehicle has to include a mention of the automaker’s exceptional warranty. Where most competitors offer bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage of three years or 36,000 miles, Kia provides five years or 60,000 miles worth of coverage. Where others offer powertrain protection of five years or 60,000 miles, Kia’s coverage extends to 10 years or 100,000 miles.

If you need a 3-row vehicle and want to go electric, the Kia EV9 should go straight to the top of your shopping list.

Photo Tour

2025 Kia EV9

More 2025 Kia EV9

Read our full review
Build and price your own
Browse listings near you