Kia EV9 Standard Range RWD

Overview

The 2025 Kia EV9 Standard Range RWD is Kia's striking entry into the three-row electric SUV arena, offering families a compelling blend of futuristic design and practical space. As the entry-level trim, it packs a surprising punch with its standard 800V architecture for mega-fast charging and a spacious, tech-laden cabin. It’s a bold statement on wheels, aiming to shuttle families in style without breaking the bank, starting around $54,900. This big, comfy cruiser is perfect for those wanting a head-turning EV with room for everyone and their gear.

What's New for 2025?

For its sophomore year, the 2025 EV9 Standard Range RWD largely builds upon its impressive 2024 debut. The most notable update is the confirmed inclusion of the Tesla (NACS) charge port alongside the standard CCS Type 1, future-proofing your charging options across North America. Expect minor software enhancements to the slick infotainment system and potentially some tweaks to feature packaging. Otherwise, it continues to deliver the same award-winning combination of style, space, and advanced EV technology that made it an instant hit in the electric SUV segment.

Design & Exterior

Get ready to turn heads! The EV9 Standard Range RWD flaunts Kia's "Opposites United" design language, featuring a bold, boxy silhouette and the distinctive "Digital Tiger Face" with striking vertical LED headlights. This entry-level trim typically rides on stylish 19-inch aero-designed alloy wheels. It’s a proper big machine, measuring 197.2 inches long, 77.9 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 69.1 inches tall. Its substantial presence and futuristic details give it a unique, upmarket look that stands out from the SUV crowd, even in its most accessible form.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the EV9 Standard Range RWD and you’re greeted by a minimalist, airy cabin focused on sustainable materials and cutting-edge tech. Dominating the dash are twin 12.3-inch panoramic displays for instruments and infotainment, complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Seven seats are standard, offering generous passenger space. Cargo is king here: you get a useful 20.2 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a massive 81.7 cubic feet with rear seats folded, plus a handy 3.2 cubic foot frunk for charging cables or smaller items.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Standard Range RWD EV9 delivers a smooth and composed driving experience, perfect for family duties. Its single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) sends 160 kW (around 215 hp) and 258 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in a respectable 7.7 seconds. While not a tire-shredder, it offers confident acceleration for city and highway cruising. The ride is impressively quiet and comfortable, soaking up bumps with ease. Multiple regenerative braking levels, including an i-Pedal for one-pedal driving, enhance efficiency and driver engagement.

Range, Battery & Charging

This EV9 packs a 74 kWh usable battery, providing a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range estimate of 219 miles, with an efficiency of 2.96 mi/kWh. Thanks to its cutting-edge 800V architecture, DC fast charging is exceptionally quick, capable of hitting up to 210 kW. This means you can potentially juice up from 10-80% in around 20-24 minutes! For home charging, the standard 10.9 kW on-board AC charger does the job. It features both CCS Type 1 and Tesla (NACS) ports for ultimate flexibility, plus Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is paramount in the EV9, which earned a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, with high NHTSA scores anticipated. The Standard Range RWD comes loaded with Kia's comprehensive Drive Wise suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. This typically includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering for stress-free highway journeys. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist is also usually standard.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Kia backs the EV9 with its industry-leading warranty package, giving buyers excellent peace of mind. You get a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and, crucially for an EV, a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for both the powertrain components and the high-voltage battery pack. While Kia doesn't typically offer complimentary scheduled maintenance in the US market, the EV9's E-GMP platform is proving to be reliable, promising lower running costs compared to traditional gasoline SUVs. This comprehensive coverage underscores Kia's confidence in its electric vehicle technology.