Kia’s EV9 Offers Enticing Option in EV Market

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The Kia EV9 was recently named the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, announced recently during a meeting of the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. Get to know this vehicle and take a test drive soon at any Earnhardt Auto Centers location, especially Earnhardt Peoria Kia.

Photo courtesy of Earnhardt Auto Centers Facebook

Kia’s entry into the electric vehicle market offers “the best aspects of Kia’s greatest-hit SUVs,” says a review by US News and World Report. Features include three rows of seating and a spacious, comfortable interior.

The EV9 will be available with electric powertrains ranging from 201 to 379 horsepower, notes the review, with a range of 230 to 304 miles. With 800-volt architecture, the EV9 can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes. It’s the only non-luxury electric vehicle with three rows of seats, notes the review, offering a “cavernous” interior for passengers and cargo.

The EV9 comes in rear- or all-wheel drive, says Car and Driver, with all-wheel drive featuring the 379-hp dual motor powertrain. The standard rear-wheel drive EV9 has a 76.1-kWh battery with an estimated 230 miles of range.

With a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, the Kia EV9 can compete with other hefty SUVs. During testing, the all-wheel drive EV9 reached 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, Car and Driver says, “making it the one to get for folks who want the punchy take-offs that EVs are typically known for.”

The EV9 provides flexibility for families and groups by offering either six- or seven-passenger versions. Second-row captain’s chairs feature heating, ventilation and massaging, notes Car and Driver. Rear cargo space holds 20 cubic feet, or up to 82 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down. On higher trim levels, the third row provides power folding.

Two 12.3-inch screens, one for gauges and one for infotainment, keep driver and passengers informed and entertained. Driver-assistance features include blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking. A hands-free driving mode combines with adaptive cruise control for the EV9 GT-Line, Car and Driver says.

Check out the comfortable, roomy, dependable EV9 soon at Earnhardt Peoria Kia. Or shop online at Earnhardt Auto Centers anytime!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.