Kia EV9 Earth 2024 Review

The 2024 Kia EV9 Earth is the mid-spec variant in the current three-tier range. The dual-motor EV package combines to provide all-wheel drive and the Earth is priced at $106,500 plus on-road costs.

The $100K-plus sticker might raise a few eyebrows, but even the entry-level, rear-wheel drive Kia EV9 Air starts at $97,000 plus ORCs.

At the other end of the scale, the current flagship EV9 GT-Line marks the most expensive Kia on sale Down Under at $121,000 plus ORCs.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV presents as the EV9 Earth’s closest zero-emissions seven-seat luxury SUV competition, but starts at $194,900 plus ORCs.

You can get the smaller seven-seat Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 for $106,155 plus ORCs, while five-seater luxury family SUVs include the Audi Q8 e-tron (from $154,600) and BMW iX (from $130,900).

The upcoming Volvo EX90 also looms as a threat to the EV9, although details of its pricing and arrival in Australia are yet to be confirmed.

In terms of spec, the 2024 Kia EV9 Earth doesn’t miss out on much.

Along with the Air variant, the Earth is fitted with distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels, self-dipping LED headlights, flush retracting door handles, a power tailgate, multi-zone climate control with roof vents, a heated steering wheel and heated/ventilated front seats.

Above those things, the 2024 Kia EV9 Earth scores leather-look seat trim and an illuminated steering wheel with Kia’s updated logo.

A stubby lever off to the right side of the steering column controls the electric motor start-up, drive selection and park brake operation (there’s also a park brake switch on the lower right side of the dash).

The EV9 comes with Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery is covered separately for seven years/150,000km. Roadside assist is renewed after each service (provided it’s carried out by a Kia dealer) for a period of up to eight years.

Capped-price servicing applies for the first seven scheduled services, which are conducted at one-year or 15,000km intervals (whichever comes first). These cost a total of $1351 over five years or 75,000km.

Built on Hyundai and Kia’s global modular EV platform (E-GMP), the 2024 Kia EV9 Earth is on the front foot when it comes to safety.

All EV9 models come with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with front and rear operation at high and low speeds respectively.

Additionally, there is forward collision avoidance assist, junction crossing, lane change, lane following and lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring with active assist, stop-and-go cruise control, rear cross traffic collision avoidance and rear occupant alert.

The Kia EV9 Earth adds parking collision avoidance, a 360-degree reversing monitor as well as a live camera feed (both left and right side) when changing lanes.

With a total of nine airbags, the Kia EV9 was given a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2023.

In truth, much of the technology is hidden within Kia’s new minimalist design language. However, the 2024 Kia EV9 Earth packs an impressive array of equipment.

Ergonomic wins abound with the multi-zone climate control being easy to use. And, surprisingly, so are the haptic controls for the central screen that lurk beneath printed script.

The functionality of the 12.3-inch touch-screen, which also utilises wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is basically on par with the EV9’s competition, though there’s a bit of fumbling required for some processes and the display itself is a bit of a stretch for the driver.

There are two USB-C points on the inner edge of both front seats as well as for the third-row seats. Two more can be found (one for data, one for power) in the lower centre console where they join a 12-volt outlet.

A wireless phone charger is in the small, lidded cubby/centre arm rest.

The 2024 Kia EV9 Earth takes the normal EV route to AWD status via twin electric motors – one for the front axle and one for the rear.

Compared to the EV9 Air, which uses a single rear-mounted e-motor producing 160kW/350Nm and is powered by a 76.1kWh battery, the Earth gains an extra electric motor for 283kW/700Nm combined, fed by a larger 99.8kWh battery.

Despite tipping the scales at 2552kg, the Kia EV9 Earth reaches 100km/h from standstill in just 6.0sec.

The EV9 range is expected to grow to four with the introduction of a GT version in 2025, which will produce considerably higher outputs than the Earth.

The 2024 Kia EV9 Earth has a claimed consumption rate of 22.3kWh per 100km and a potential cruising range of 512km (WLTP).

After a week behind the wheel, our experience indicates that the EV9 Earth can achieve its claims, but it’s sensitive to circumstance.

Driving in urban conditions, the calculated range was consistently more than 500km.

The EV9 Earth can be fast-charged on 400-volt and 800-volt infrastructures, while Kia claims the battery pack can be charged from 10-80 per cent in 24 minutes.

The 2024 Kia EV9 Earth is a sumptuous cruiser thanks to variable-frequency dampers and independent struts up front being paired with self-leveling dampers and multi-link suspension at the rear.

The chunky 255/60-profile tyres also help to create an upper-large SUV that wants to cosset more than it wants to excite you dynamically.

At three turns from lock to lock, the EV9 Earth’s steering is not exactly low-geared, yet somehow feels it. The actual weighting is well tuned, but there’s a bit of unexpected wheel-twirling in sharp corners or roundabouts that reminds you of its bulk.

However, the 2500kg-plus mass is no problem for the dual-motor drivetrain. Step-off performance is strong, with the eagerness only waning the closer you get to the national speed limit.

It’s impressive, but the heavier your right foot the faster you’ll drain the battery reserves.

The EV9 Earth is a doddle to drive. A generous glasshouse affords decent visibility, all the key controls are conveniently placed and the seating position is pleasing – although the lack of a memory function for the latter is unsatisfactory in a $100K-plus SUV.

Something that also grates over time is the excessive number of driver warnings. Yes, this isn’t just a Kia issue as most modern cars inflict similar aural displeasure, but from speed warnings to crossing painted lines, the EV9 loves to bing and bong at you.

The 2024 Kia EV9 Earth has a variety of ‘off-road’ modes fitted – Snow, Mud and Sand – as well as a hill descent control system.

Still, with a limited charging network in remote areas, and the fact the EV9 Earth is fitted with road-based tyres and has only 177mm of ground clearance, any thoughts of truly going bush are somewhat frivolous.

The electrified Kia’s abilities away from sealed surfaces are akin to most on-demand AWD offerings, meaning anything other than the odd dirt road is going to be out of its comfort zone.

This is Bauhaus to the extreme. Simplicity is the name of the design game here as the 2024 Kia EV9 Earth is devoid of aesthetic frivolity, matching form and function cohesively.

The designers have done a great job of justifying the $100K ask with quality materials, including myriad soft-touch surfaces and plush front head restraints to ramp up the comfort. It might not meet the marker generated by the likes of the luxurious BMW iX, but the Kia EV9 still fares well.

Given the EV9 Earth is five metres in length and almost two metres wide, the sense of space inside is remarkable.

The seats are big and comfortable – with the benefit of an adjustable rake position for the backrest in both the second and third rows – while there are ample air vents all-round and roof-mounted climate controls in the back.

With more than three metres of wheelbase, legroom is generous throughout – even the rearmost seats are suitable for adults.

And thanks in part to the flat floor, storage is plentiful with a jumbo-sized cavity under the centre console being a highlight.

The load-lugging talent extends to the cargo capacity, too, with a quoted 333 litres of space with all seats in place, or an enormous 2318 litres with the third row stowed.

The dual-motor Earth’s under-bonnet frunk’s 52 litres of space is nothing special, though, and the only thing resembling a spare wheel is an inflation kit under the boot floor.

Given the price point, it would also be nice to see some form of electric assistance to aid manoeuvring the heavy centre row of seats back into position.

However, they do fold down quickly and easily via electric release buttons on the outer edges of the cabin.

Nailing down who will be a typical 2024 Kia EV9 Earth buyer is tricky.

Traditional shoppers of something like a Nissan Patrol or Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series are unlikely to be tempted.

Yes, drive is sent to all four wheels and the EV9 does afford a 2500kg braked towing capacity, but the latter does significantly curtail range.

The EV9’s design could also be described as blunt, with its size being unnecessarily massive for most people seeking a relatively wieldy seven-seater.

Ultimately, while there’s difficulty in defining the exact applications that suit the EV9 Earth best, there’s no doubting it’s an appealing, intriguing and unique offering in the upper-large SUV category.

Buyers will no doubt agree it’s a worthwhile niche.

2024 Kia EV9 Earth at a glance:
Price: $106,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Two asynchronous electric motors
Output: 283kW/700Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 99.8kWh lithium-ion
Range: 512km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 22.3kWh/100km
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2023)