Quick take
The Kia EV9 GT Line S is Kia’s electric flagship. It is big, bold and packed with tech, yet surprisingly easy to live with. I ran it for a full week thanks to Kia UK and filmed a full review for the Rivervale YouTube channel. After long drives to London and a coastal run from Brighton to Folkestone, it left a strong impression. It looks stunning, drives with real confidence and offers proper space for families. A few small niggles showed up during the week, but nothing that takes away from what is one of the most convincing full size electric SUVs on sale today.
Headline numbers
- Price: From £65,000 to around £78,000+
- Trim tested: GT Line S
- Battery: 99.8 kWh
- Power: 378 bhp (AWD)
- Range: Up to 313 miles WLTP (GT Line S)
- Charging: Up to 350 kW DC peak
- Seats: 7 as standard, optional 6 seat layout with swivel chairs
- Availability: On sale now
- Leasing note: A strong choice for business users thanks to low Benefit in Kind
First look
This is not just Kia’s biggest EV. It is their flagship. It carries the same design confidence seen in the EV6 and pushes it into a full size, three row SUV. It has the bold front end with vertical light signatures, sharp surfacing and a profile that gives it huge road presence.
Several major outlets have praised the design. After living with it, I agree. It draws attention in the same way a Range Rover does. Many owners seem to be switching for the electric range and tax savings, and I can fully understand why.
Design and cabin
The cabin is calm and spacious with a clean layout. The triple screen setup looks modern and the materials feel premium. Some lower plastics still feel more practical than luxury, but the overall impression is strong at this price.
The seats are exceptional. They are heated, ventilated and have a massage function for the driver. There is loads of adjustment too. The driving position is high with excellent visibility and the big windows help you place the car.
I did not fully gel with the digital rear view mirror, but you can switch it back to a normal mirror, which I ended up using most of the time.
Space and practicality
Space is one of the EV9’s strongest talking points.
Third row
The third row is not an afterthought. It is properly usable for adults on short or medium journeys and ideal for children. You get ISOFIX, cupholders and USB C ports back there. There is even seatback recline adjustment. Access is simple thanks to the second row sliding forward smoothly.
Six seat version
If you choose the optional six seat layout on GT Line S, you unlock a clever bit of flexibility. The two second row seats swivel to face the third row and slide to create huge legroom. It feels like a lounge and makes long family trips far more comfortable. If you want maximum comfort in all rows, the six seat version is worth serious thought.
Boot
Boot space is generous and with the various seat configurations you can expect:
- 333 litres with all seats up
- 828 litres with the third row folded
- Over 2,300 litres with both rear rows folded flat
You also get a usable frunk at the front, which is large enough for charging cables or maybe your muddy wellies.
On the road
For something this size, the EV9 is a real surprise. It handled every journey far better than I expected.
It feels planted on the motorway and remains quiet even at higher speeds. The suspension smooths out bumps well and the steering is light in town but weightier on faster roads. There is a bit of tyre noise on rougher surfaces, which is common in large electric SUVs.
Cornering
The most surprising part is how well it manages corners. You can genuinely throw it into bends with confidence. The AWD system and low centre of gravity keep it stable and controlled. You do still feel the weight in tight turns, but it never feels clumsy. Kia has done a brilliant job with the chassis.
Braking
The brakes are powerful but the transition from regenerative braking to friction braking can feel slightly inconsistent. It is not a major issue, but worth mentioning it can feel a bit abrupt.
Range and charging
Real world range is good but not quite at WLTP in winter. It was around six degrees during my week with the car and I consistently saw around fifty miles less than the official figure. It was still fine for my journeys, but worth noting.
Charging speed depends entirely on the charger you find. On a 50 kW unit, a 10 to 80 percent charge took around an hour and a half. On a high power 350 kW charger, Kia claims around twenty four minutes, so the potential is there if you have the right infrastructure.
Trims and pricing
The GT Line S sits near the top of the line up and gives you the full package. The Air trim offers the best range for less money, but the GT Line S adds more tech, a better sound system, more safety kit and the biggest wheels.
In terms of value, it does compare well to rivals like the BMW iX, Volvo EX90 and Tesla Model X. It delivers a lot of features for the price.
Rivals
• Volvo EX90
• BMW iX
• Range Rover PHEV (for those dipping a toe into the EV world)
• Audi Q8 e tron
• Tesla Model X (used market only)
Who should buy or lease one
Families who want proper seven seat space and a large boot will love this. It is also great for business owners who want a premium SUV with low Benefit in Kind. If you are moving away from a diesel Discovery or Range Rover, you will find the EV9 comfortable, refined and very easy to adapt to.
Want to explore how much this would cost you on a business or personal lease? Check out Rivervale today for the latest deals.
2025 Kia EV9 GT-Line S
Summary
The Kia EV9 GT Line S is one of the most impressive electric SUVs I have driven. It has huge space, loads of tech and a calm, well designed cabin. It is not cheap and the charging speed on lower power chargers is slow, but the positives easily outweigh the downsides. This is a genuine alternative to the traditional premium brands and shows how far Kia has come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Kia EV9 offers genuine seven seat space, strong performance, excellent comfort and a premium feel at a lower price than many rivals. It is ideal for families and business users.
The GT Line S is officially rated at up to 313 miles. In cold weather, expect around 250 to 265 miles depending on driving style and road conditions.
On a 350 kW high power charger, Kia quotes 10 to 80 percent in around twenty four minutes. On a 50 kW charger, expect around ninety minutes.
Yes. It has three usable rows, ISOFIX in multiple seats, loads of storage, a massive boot and easy access to the third row. The six seat version makes long trips even more comfortable.
Adults can sit in the third row for short or medium journeys. Children will be comfortable on longer trips. The seats recline and have USB C ports and cupholders.
The 7 seat version has a 2–3–2 layout. The 6 seat version replaces the middle bench with two captain’s chairs that can swivel, slide and recline. This gives more legroom and a lounge-like feel.
Boot space is 333 litres with all three rows up, 828 litres with the third row folded, and over 2,300 litres with both rows folded flat.
Yes. It is smooth, quiet and stable, with plenty of power. It corners better than you expect for its size and feels safe and predictable on the road.
Yes. As a fully electric vehicle, the EV9 offers very low Benefit in Kind costs which makes it attractive for company car drivers.
