Flush-fitting pop-out door handles extra like these of a Vary Rover Velar than of a Kia EV6 admit you to the inside.
Every so often, they fail to current if you want them or, worse, appear to wish a second or third tug to open the motive force’s door, however they work about in addition to any retractable deal with in the marketplace proper now (which is to say nonetheless not fairly properly sufficient for our liking).
When you’re inside, the EV9 begins to disclose what it’s all about: area, consolation, versatility – and a luxuriousness that’s, a minimum of in some methods, properly past the ken of any of Kia’s different present fashions.
The motive force sits pretty excessive and upright in entrance of a largish steering wheel and Kia’s double-screened financial institution of digital show consoles. Taller testers wished for higher size in each cushion and squab and a headrest with extra rearwards adjustment, however lateral and lumbar help are each good.
The sense in becoming motorised recliner-style helps to your calves to the entrance seats (on GT-Line fashions and above) appears questionable, although. ‘Sleeping seats’ may fit behind limos, the place the entrance passenger seat will be slid and folded forwards out of the best way, however on this case they add little true lounging potential.
Additional to the rear, second-row passengers board by way of extra-long facet doorways and could also be met by both a pair of swivelling ‘captain’s’ chairs or a sliding three-seat bench. Our check automotive had the latter, with nearly as a lot outright second-row occupant area as we measured behind an iX in 2022. That’s significantly spectacular contemplating they depart a pair of third-row seats which can be massive sufficient for smaller adults and rising children to journey in completely comfortably.
4 of the 5 rear seats get their very own cupholders and USB-C charging ports, in addition to Isofix baby seat anchorages. The rearmost pair stow and deploy electrically and are straightforward to entry.
Even in seven-seat mode, the boot is large enough to confess an inexpensive quantity of procuring cargo, plus area for the retractable load-bay curler cowl beneath the boot flooring. In five-seat mode, the loading area beneath that cowl is a bit shallow (blame these third-row seats and a motor on the rear axle) nevertheless it’s in any other case very beneficiant.
This, clearly, is an SUV able to make huge households completely comfy and it caters to their wants very properly certainly. That it may, within the entrance, feel and look just a bit extra materially wealthy and lavish turns into apparent as you fiddle with switchgear and run your arms over a few of its mouldings, although. On this respect, the EV9 does seem to be a £45,000 EV6 by-product ‘performing up’ greater than maybe a £75,000 automotive ought to.
Kia might declare to have invested its price range extra responsibly, into the broader use of recyclable supplies reasonably than showier perceived high quality for its personal sake, however what it has produced doesn’t have considerable enchantment to the senses.
Though the automotive’s underlying materials high quality is nice, for premium model regulars who may in any other case purchase a BMW, Volvo, Audi or Mercedes, the dearth of fabric razzle-dazzle could be the one vital space the place this inside is discovered wanting.
Multimedia system
The EV9 comes with twin 12.3in infotainment and instrument shows. There are two wired smartphone connections within the entrance row and 4 extra USB-C charging ports within the rear. Go for a GT-Line S automotive and also you get a driver’s head-up show as properly, with customisable content material.
