Kia EV9 - Interior, design and technology
Minor interior quirks aside, the Kia EV9 is well-built and comes packed with technology
The Kia EV9 is the largest vehicle yet to use the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that we’ve seen used for the Genesis GV60, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and the Kia EV6.
It’s a large electric SUV that can seat up to seven people, which has more in common with the squared-off looks of the much-missed Land Rover Discovery 4. Remarkably, the EV9 isn’t the aerodynamic disaster that that car was, thanks in no small part to some clever active aero technology, which helps increase the driving range.
Four colours are available on Air trim, with Aurora red being the free one. Mid-range GT-Line adds Pacific blue metallic, while GT-Line S with the six-seat configuration can be optioned with a matt finish version of the same blue hue.
The straight lines of the exterior are mirrored inside because the dash is pretty flat, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens (one for the driver’s instrument cluster and the other for the central touchscreen) sitting on a prominent shelf that includes a touch-sensitive panel in the middle housing various shortcuts for the infotainment system. The two screens are bisected by a touch-sensitive panel for the climate control system, which, in an odd miss for Kia, cannot be seen from the driving position, because the steering wheel's rim obscures it.
Fortunately, the climate system is supplemented by a row of physical toggle switches in the dashboard's centre that provide easy interior temperature adjustment. It’s a welcome addition that many rivals could learn from as they opt to embed such controls in the infotainment system menus to save costs. We’re not so blown away by the touch-sensitive panel beneath the infotainment screen; it’s needed for jumping around between key functions on the system, but it requires a surprisingly hefty prod to register an input. The cabin quality is definitely more smart than luxurious, but there are soft-touch materials everywhere you’ll touch regularly. It's a step above other Kia models in terms of perceived quality, if not quite up to the level of the Land Rover Discovery.
The buttons for heated and ventilated seats, plus the heated steering wheel, are on the door. Initially, it’s a little odd, but you’ll get used to it. What’s actually annoying is the heated seats switch on to the coolest setting first. We think that’s counterintuitive because you put heated seats on due to being cold, so that becomes a needless three-button pressing faff every time you wish to turn them on to full power. Another thing we found bothersome is that the button to switch the car on is hidden behind the steering wheel on the gear selector stalk.
Plenty of storage areas are dotted around the front, and the cup holders in the centre console that seemingly pop out of nowhere are a neat trick.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
Every version of the EV9 comes with a 12.3-inch screen for the infotainment system, which includes sat-nav, along with full Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, should you want to run your own navigation or audio apps from your phone.
The infotainment uses a newer operating system compared with other Kia models we’ve tried, which does have the benefit of accepting over-the-air updates. That’ll be quite handy for keeping the system fresh given this car’s lengthy service intervals, meaning (hopefully) infrequent trips to the dealer. The system itself is quick enough, albeit with an interface that’s no longer as stand-out, or crisp and easy to use as it once was; blame an ever-increasing range of functions for that.
Wireless phone charging comes as standard, along with an eight-speaker sound system. The richer-sounding 14-speaker Meridian premium sound system comes with the top-of-the-range GT-Line S trim and a head-up display system that projects important driving information – such as the speed you’re going – onto the windscreen within your line of sight.
