I told my family we were looking at the Kia EV9, and they all got super defensive, saying Kias are trash and have nothing but problems. They also mentioned all the thefts that have been happening with Kias. But when I did my own research, almost everyone who has had an EV9 for 6 months or more seems to love it. My family might never trust the EV9, but I guess I’ll see how it goes.
I was a fan of the EV9 after seeing it in person. Before that, I thought the same as your family. It’s definitely one of the best EVs out there, especially if you need a third row.
Kia’s going through what Hyundai did when they launched Genesis. They don’t have a premium brand, so their cheap and upscale models are all mixed together under the same name.
Put the fries in the bag.
Have they actually owned a new Kia, or are they talking about 10-15 years ago? The EV9 just won World Car of the Year. Most current Kia issues are really a USA-specific quality problem. Outside the US, Kias are highly regarded by both mechanics and journalists.
@izael
Yeah, it’s more like “my 2015 Kia Sedona with 100k miles is garbage,” while I’m just looking at a 2-year lease on the brand-new flagship.
diallo said:
@izael
Yeah, it’s more like “my 2015 Kia Sedona with 100k miles is garbage,” while I’m just looking at a 2-year lease on the brand-new flagship.
I’d love to know what cars they’re driving that they think are better than the EV9 in terms of ride quality, features, and tech.
@izael
They drive mid-2010s Kias, Mazdas, Fords, and Subarus. All older, pre-owned stuff.
diallo said:
@izael
They drive mid-2010s Kias, Mazdas, Fords, and Subarus. All older, pre-owned stuff.
I own both a 2022 Tesla Model Y Performance and a 2024 EV9 Land. The Kia is more comfortable—cooled seats, captain chairs, great ride quality—but the tech is terrible. The software is slow, the app is garbage, and the navigation is a joke. Plus, Kia charges $150 a year for the app! On the other hand, Tesla’s tech is flawless, everything just works. But Tesla doesn’t have cooled seats, the ride is noisier, and, well, there’s Elon. If you’re coming from a gas car, you’ll love the EV9. But if you’re coming from a Tesla or Rivian, the tech might be a letdown.
@sorphia
It’s funny because the tech in the EV9 is actually the best across the entire Hyundai Group (Hyundai, Genesis, Kia). It’s the first in their lineup to get full OTA updates for the entire vehicle, not just infotainment. Legacy automakers will take a few generations to catch up.
@martin
That’s not true. One of the recent recalls required a visit to the dealership for a USB update.
Robert said:
@martin
That’s not true. One of the recent recalls required a visit to the dealership for a USB update.
Yeah, some updates are OTA, but others, like the remote park assist recall, need to be done in person. It’s a little confusing.
Robert said:
@martin
That’s not true. One of the recent recalls required a visit to the dealership for a USB update.
Most of the updates I’ve gotten since February have been OTA, except for that recall. So yes, it’s still true for the most part.
@martin
You just agreed and contradicted yourself in the same sentence.
Had a similar situation before I bought my EV9. Everything I read pointed to it being a solid car. My wife wasn’t thrilled about it at first either. She said Kia drives awful, but the last time she drove one was 20 years ago from a rental place. Now, she’s put more miles on the EV9 than I have!
Love my EV9 for the most part, but Kia dealerships have been a nightmare. The car feels luxury, but the service is like dealing with a Dollar Store. Such a disconnect.
I’ve owned Toyota cars for 20 years, and the EV9 is my first Kia. I’ve had it for 11 months, and I’d give it an 8/10. I knock off one point for long road trips and another for the thin paint quality.
zendaya said:
I’ve owned Toyota cars for 20 years, and the EV9 is my first Kia. I’ve had it for 11 months, and I’d give it an 8/10. I knock off one point for long road trips and another for the thin paint quality.
Also, the thefts are mostly in older models, not the newer ones like the EV9.
@zendaya
Exactly. The theft issue has nothing to do with EV models, but people love to talk without knowing the facts.
zendaya said:
I’ve owned Toyota cars for 20 years, and the EV9 is my first Kia. I’ve had it for 11 months, and I’d give it an 8/10. I knock off one point for long road trips and another for the thin paint quality.
What do you mean by long road trips? Doesn’t the EV9 have over 200 miles of range?