Kia announced the EV9 not too long ago as an alternative 7 passenger SUV to compete with the likes of Tesla and Rivian. Although it is similar in interior size as both the Tesla Model X and the Rivian R1S, the competition for 3 row EV's is just now starting to heat up.

In a segment that is scarce with options, you really only have a few decent EV's to consider for a true 3 row SUV. The Model Y for example comes with the option for 7 passenger configuration, but that 3rd row is extremely small and is not meant for normal daily use of teenagers and older.

The Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S both add quite a bit more space for the 3rd row, but they also tip the scales at well over $80k for most configurations. With the exception of the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model X in base configuration only, there are no other 3 row SUV's that both qualify for the tax credit of $7,500, and come in under $80k.

With this limited field, Kia has found and exploited a market opening that is not currently being served. This 7 passenger segment, under $80k, is extremely limited, and affordability seems to be a major issue as well. The Kia EV9 brings both 6 and 7 passenger configurations to the segment, but also at a price that most are likely to find appealing.

The EV9 starts around $55k USD in base configuration, but that comes with an extremely limited range of 230 miles. Stepping up about $5k to nearly $60k will get you the longest range EV9 at 304 miles, but getting any AWD package steps you up to at least $64k, and max range at 280 miles.

While these range figures are not the best, the prices are significantly less than anything in the same size category. About 20k less than the cheapest Tesla Model X, and about $10k more than the cheapest Tesla Model Y.

Aside from a more traditional driving experience, the EV9 offers a ton of features, and even the base configuration offers a good assortment of basics that most consumers will appreciate. In fact, the cheapest EV9 comes with the minimum features that even I would go for, however, the range being 230 wouldn't be enough, so stepping up to at least the next trim, which is a RWD model, gets you to that 300 mile range mark, but at nearly $60k.

One of the biggest downfalls of any non-Tesla today is the inability to utilize a reliable and extensive public charging infrastructure. Although that will change in the future, for the moment, this cannot be ignored. Kia has announced their adoption of NACS, and they plan to start shipping cars with the NACS plug built directly into their cars starting at the end of this year. This takes away one of the biggest road blocks for most consumers right off the bat.

This leaves consumers with one last major obstacle, which is that you have to purchase and take delivery of the EV9 from an independently owned and operated Franchise dealer. This long hated experience is not much better even when ordering your desired configuration directly on Kia's website. In fact, dealers are able to add countless line items, Market Adjustments, and much more to the price of the car meaning that when you order the car, you dont know how much it will actually cost when you go in to actually take delivery.


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