2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line: Tough competition in a tough EV /SUV Segment

Tony Lesesne

This isn't your average three-row family hauler. After spending some time behind the wheel of the 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line in Miami, I’ve realized that calling it just another SUV is like calling a smartphone just another telephone. It’s a complete departure from the gas-powered tropes we’re used to, but it also carries the growing pains of a first-generation disruptor.

Here is a deep dive into how the EV9 actually moves, how it stacks up against the heavy hitters, and what it’s really like to live with a "digital tiger" on the road.

Performance: Relentless G-Force in a Box

The headline numbers for the GT-Line are 379 horsepower and a massive 516 lb-ft of torque. On paper, Kia says it does 0–60 mph in 5.0 seconds. In practice, on the I-95, it feels significantly faster. Because an EV’s torque is instant, the launch isn't a build-up—it’s a surge. I found that it pulls with a silent, relentless G-force that puts most gas-powered luxury SUVs to shame.

But straight-line speed is only half the story. The real engineering win is the E-GMP platform. By mounting the 99.8 kWh battery low in the chassis, Kia gave this 5,800-lb machine a center of gravity that makes you forget you’re driving a three-row penthouse.

How it handles the road

In Miami, a car needs more than just a high MSRP to survive; it needs a personality that can pivot from a sun-drenched cruise down Ocean Drive to a "Noah’s Ark" scenario on the Palmetto Expressway in approximately six seconds. The 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line handles this bipolar climate with a mix of high-performance hardware and a software suite that seems to have a sixth sense for trouble.

The "Sultry Box" at Speed

On paper, the GT-Line’s 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque are impressive. On the I-95, they’re transformative. Because an EV’s torque is instant, the launch isn’t a polite build-up—it’s a silent, relentless surge of G-force that pins you to your vegan-leather seat. It’s the kind of power that puts gas-powered luxury SUVs to shame while maintaining the "vault-quiet" serenity of a spa.

But straight-line speed is only half the win. The E-GMP platform mounts that massive 99.8 kWh battery so low in the chassis that you actually forget you’re piloting a three-row penthouse. Combined with a self-leveling rear suspension and aggressive 21-inch alloy wheels, the EV9 stays remarkably flat. Whether you’re carving through the MacArthur Causeway or dodging a delivery scooter in Brickell, it resists body roll like a planted sports sedan.

Navigating the Miami "Mood Swings"

The true technical genius of the EV9 shows up when the weather turns. In the stop-and-go madness of midday traffic, I found that "Eco" mode’s smart regenerative braking is a lifesaver for the legs. However, as soon as the sky opens up and the road turns into a slip-and-slide, Snow Mode (which I’ve rebranded as "Tropical Storm Mode") becomes your best friend.

By dialing back the regen intensity and optimizing torque to the rear wheels preemptively, the car prevents those heart-stopping micro-slips on oily, wet pavement. While other SUVs are hydroplaning their way into a viral TikTok video, the EV9 stays glued to the road. And let’s talk about the Blind-Spot View Monitor: in a city where turn signals are considered "giving away your secrets," having a live video feed of your blind spot pop up in the dash isn't just a luxury—it’s a life-saving necessity.

NAVIGATING RANGE ANXIETY

Of course, no honest review of an electric vehicle in 2026 can ignore the elephant in the room: Range Anxiety. It’s the nagging fear that you’ll end up stranded on the Alligator Alley with nothing but a dying battery and a very expensive paperweight. Despite the explosive growth of the EV market, the public infrastructure still feels a bit like the "Wild West"—unregulated pricing, broken plugs, and the occasional "charging desert." Florida, in particular, faces a unique supply-and-demand mismatch; while we have plenty of EVs, the number of reliable, ultra-fast chargers hasn't always kept pace with the crowds at the beach.

Kia’s strategy for the EV9 GT-Line isn't just to give you more battery, but to give you more options. They’ve addressed the infrastructure gap with a three-pronged attack:

• The 800V "Speed Hack": Most EVs (looking at you, Rivian and Tesla) use a 400-volt system that slows down significantly as the battery gets full. Kia’s 800-volt architecture allows the EV9 to maintain peak charging speeds much longer into the cycle. On a 350kW fast charger, you can jump from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes. It’s the difference between a quick coffee break and a three-course meal.

• The NACS Integration: For the 2026 model year, Kia has officially moved to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. This means you have native access to over 18,000 Tesla Superchargers—the gold standard for reliability—without needing a clunky adapter. It effectively doubles your charging options overnight.

• The Smart Planner: The onboard navigation doesn't just show you where chargers are; it preconditions the battery temperature while you're en route so that you hit the maximum charging speed the second you plug in.

By combining one of the fastest charging speeds in the industry with access to the most reliable network on the planet, Kia has turned "Range Anxiety" into a "Range Minor-Inconvenience." You might still have to wait a few minutes, but at least you won't be doing it in a dark parking lot with a broken charger and a prayer.

The Reality Check: Reliability & Competition

Of course, being an early adopter isn't all sunshine and 800V fast-charging. While the EV9 has swept the awards circuit (securing a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS), it isn't without its first-generation quirks.

• The "12V Drama": Some owners have reported 12V battery drain issues, often fixed by software patches, but enough to make you keep a jump pack in that fancy frunk just in case.

• The Segment Battle: In a world of Rivians and Teslas, the EV9 carves out its own niche. The Rivian R1S might be more rugged for the 1% of the time you’re off-road, and the Tesla Model X has the brand cachet, but neither matches the EV9’s third-row comfort.

The "Frunk" Factor: Why It Turns Heads

I’ll be honest: I had to get used to the idea of a front trunk. Pop the hood and there’s no engine—just a storage bin perfect for charging cables or a weekend bag. It felt gimmicky until I actually used it. In Miami, the "frunk" became a conversation starter. Every time I opened it, people stopped to ask about the car. It highlights the "Digital Tiger Face" design. Between the 24-cube vertical LEDs and the lack of a traditional grille, the EV9 looks like a concept car that escaped from a studio. It’s rugged, yet sleek enough for a red carpet.

Customer Satisfaction & The Reliability Gap

However, a real review can't ignore the data. While the Driving Experience scores a "Great" 89/100 from J.D. Power, Reliability tells a different story. Consumer Reports and early owners have noted some first-year gremlins, including 12V battery drain issues and software bugs in the integrated charging control unit. It’s a classic early-adopter trade-off: you get the most futuristic experience on the market, but you might have to visit the dealer for a software patch or two.

THE GURUS BEHIND THE MASTERIECE

The 2024 Kia EV9 didn't just happen by accident—it was orchestrated by a "Dream Team" of automotive design heavyweights led by Karim Habib. To be specific in my shout outs, I was driving this in Miami, you’re feeling the work of Tom Kearns, the Chief Designer at Kia Design Center America. Kearns is the guy who famously "defended the box," arguing that an EV doesn't have to look like a melted jellybean to be aerodynamic. He’s the one who ensured the EV9 kept that rugged, "Electric Telluride" stance while maintaining a slick 0.28 drag coefficient.

The Interior Architect: Jochen Paesen

The "VIP Lounge" feel inside—the swivel seats, the negative space, and that massive panoramic interface—was led by Jochen Paesen, Kia’s Vice President of Interior Design. His goal was to make the cabin feel "airier" than any other SUV, choosing horizontal layouts that don't "wrap around" and make you feel cramped.

The "Star Map" Creators

The "cool face" your viewers loved—the Digital Tiger Face and the constellation-inspired LED lighting—came from specialized exterior researchers like Sang-hyeok Han and Byung-kyu Park. They used laser-cut patterns to hide those 84 "L-shaped" lighting modules that only appear when the car wakes up.

Essentially, you're driving a vehicle designed by the same minds that built the luxury icons of Germany, re-engineered for a hardcore, all-electric future.

In its class, the EV9 GT-Line faces competition from vehicles like the Tesla Model X, Rivian R1S, and potentially higher trims of the upcoming Hyundai IONIQ 7. However, the EV9 GT-Line carves out a unique niche with its distinctive styling, potent performance, and surprisingly competitive price point. It offers a fresh, bold alternative that doesn't shy away from being different.

The "Opposites United" Design Philosophy: It’s boxy yet sleek, rugged yet sophisticated. The design is genuinely polarizing, but it commands attention and manages to look futuristic without being overly alienating. It’s a design that dares to be different and succeeds.

Why the EV9 GT-Line is a Hardcore Disruptor:

• The "Digital Tiger Face": It looks like a concept car that escaped the showroom.

• The Launch: 0-60 in 4.5 seconds in a three-row SUV is a cheat code.

• Lounge Mode: Second-row seats that recline and swivel—because why sit like a normal person?

• The Tech Shield: 25 standard safety features keeping you alive while you test those Gs.

• The Presence: It’s the only car in Miami that makes people stop talking about their Lambos for five seconds.

The Competitive Landscape: Kia vs. The World

The EV9 sits in a unique spot. It’s effectively a "category of one" for affordable three-row EVs, but it still has to answer to the luxury vets and the startup giants.

The Verdict on Competition: The Rivian R1S is faster and better off-road, but the EV9 has a significantly smoother ride and a more "human" interior. The Tesla Model X has the tech ecosystem, but the EV9’s third row is actually usable for adults, not just a "penalty box." Plus, Kia’s 800V architecture means you spend less time at the plug than almost any other EV on the road today.

Final Thoughts

I lolved it but now you have to tell me what you think before your own test drive. The 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line is a disruptor. It’s faster than a Range Rover P400 and charges twice as fast as many German luxury EVs. It’s a six-passenger executive lounge that happens to have a supercar soul.

It isn't perfect—the software can be finicky and it’s a massive footprint to park—but it’s a statement. It proves that family utility and high-performance design don't have to be separate. If you’re ready to move past the "sensible" SUV era, this is the future of the drive.