Kia has done it again. The South Korean automaker, which has been making waves in the electric vehicle market with its acclaimed EV6, has just scored another major coup with its larger sibling, the Kia EV9.
The three-row electric SUV, which debuted in Europe earlier this year, has been named the winner in the "Luxury" category of the German Car of the Year 2024 (GCOTY) Awards. The prestigious accolade recognizes vehicles with a starting price exceeding $82,000.
The Kia EV9 beat eight other contenders in its category, including some of the most established and revered names in the luxury segment, such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The vehicle gained favor from a jury of 27 trade journalists, who praised its spacious and versatile interior, striking design, and ultra-fast charging technology.
The Kia EV9 is now the second model available as a dedicated battery-electric vehicle from Kia, following in the footsteps of the multi-award-winning EV6, which was named European Car of the Year 2022. The EV9 is also Kia's largest model offered in Europe to date, measuring over 16 feet long and offering seating for up to seven passengers.
The Kia EV9 electric SUV is based on the same Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) as the Kia EV6, which enables it to support 800-volt ultra-fast charging technology. This gives it one of the best charging performances in its class: under ideal conditions, the 99.8 kWh battery can gain up to 149 miles of driving range in as little as 15 minutes of charging.
The EV9 offers two powertrain options: a rear-wheel-drive version powered by a 201-horsepower motor, delivering an impressive all-electric range of up to 336 miles based on WLTP standards, or an all-wheel-drive variant powered by twin 189-horsepower electric motors, presenting an all-electric range of 309 miles (WLTP).
The AWD version is also available as the sporty GT-line model, which can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph. The Kia EV9 GT-line also features electrically adjustable "relax" seats in the front row as standard, which can recline to a near-flat position for maximum comfort during breaks.