If you’re looking at a three-row EV SUV, you’ve probably seen the EPA range numbers for the 2024 Kia EV9 and wondered what they actually mean on the road. On paper, the EV9 is rated between 230 and 304 miles of range depending on trim, but independent 2024 Kia EV9 range tests tell a more nuanced story about highway driving, weather, and how you load the vehicle.
Why focus on a 2024 Kia EV9 range test?
2024 Kia EV9 range overview
Kia sells the 2024 EV9 with two battery sizes and rear‑ or all‑wheel drive. Officially, the lineup spans from a 230‑mile EPA rating for the base Light RWD with the smaller 76.1 kWh pack up to 304 miles for the Light Long Range RWD with the 99.8 kWh battery. Dual‑motor all‑wheel drive versions (Wind, Land, GT‑Line) sit in the middle at 270–280 miles EPA combined.
2024 Kia EV9 EPA range at a glance
EPA vs your driveway
EPA range ratings by 2024 Kia EV9 trim
2024 Kia EV9 EPA range and battery specs
Official EPA combined range and key specs for each 2024 EV9 trim sold in the U.S.
| Trim | Drivetrain | Battery (usable) | EPA combined range | MPGe combined | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light RWD (Standard Range) | RWD | 76.1 kWh | 230 miles | 88 MPGe | Most affordable, smallest pack |
| Light Long Range RWD | RWD | 99.8 kWh | 304 miles | 89 MPGe | Longest EPA range |
| Wind e‑AWD | AWD | 99.8 kWh | 280 miles | 83 MPGe | Dual motor, 7‑seat |
| Land e‑AWD | AWD | 99.8 kWh | 280 miles | 83 MPGe | More luxury features |
| GT‑Line e‑AWD | AWD | 99.8 kWh | 270 miles | 80 MPGe | Most performance‑oriented trim |
Use this to align the trim you’re considering with realistic range expectations later in the article.
Wheel size and options matter
Real‑world 2024 Kia EV9 range tests
To understand how far the EV9 actually goes on a charge, it’s helpful to look at independent instrumented testing. One of the more consistent yardsticks is a steady‑speed highway test around 75 mph, which strips out a lot of the variability of mixed driving and focuses on worst‑case scenarios for efficiency.
Key 2024 Kia EV9 range test results
How the big Kia behaves when you hold a steady highway speed.
Car and Driver 75‑mph highway test
Vehicle: 2024 Kia EV9 GT‑Line e‑AWD (99.8 kWh)
EPA rating: 270 miles combined
Result: ~240 miles at a constant 75 mph
EPA achieved: ~88% of rated range
This is better than several rivals that only manage ~70–80% of their EPA range at the same speed, suggesting Kia’s rating isn’t overly optimistic for highway drivers.
What that means in practice
At typical U.S. freeway speeds, you should think of the EV9 GT‑Line as a roughly 230–250 mile highway SUV when driven from 100% down to a very low state of charge.
For day‑to‑day planning where you don’t want to arrive at 0%, a more conservative planning number of 180–210 miles between fast charges is realistic for the dual‑motor trims.
Where are the other trims?
Highway vs city: what EV9 owners actually see
In town and suburban driving
The EV9’s big battery and strong regen work in its favor at lower speeds. In mixed city/suburban driving under mild conditions, many owners will see efficiency close to the EPA combined numbers, especially if they make good use of one‑pedal driving.
- Stop‑and‑go helps: You recapture energy through regenerative braking.
- Lower aero drag: At 30–45 mph, the EV9’s brick‑like shape doesn’t penalize you as much.
- Shorter trips: Cabin doesn’t need as much sustained heating or cooling.
On the interstate at 70–80 mph
Long, fast highway stints are where large EV SUVs struggle most. Drag rises with the square of speed, so a tall three‑row like the EV9 pushes a lot of air.
- Expect 10–25% less than EPA at 70–80 mph, depending on weather and load.
- 240 miles at 75 mph for the GT‑Line is a solid but not class‑leading result.
- Planning 150–200 mile legs between DC fast charges keeps you in the comfort zone.
Cold weather can be brutal
7 factors that change your EV9’s range
Real‑world variables that move your range up or down
1. Speed and driving style
Above about 65 mph, every 5 mph increment can noticeably cut range in a tall SUV. Smooth inputs and sticking closer to the right lane will do more for efficiency than any drive mode toggle.
2. Temperature and climate control
Cold weather thickens battery chemistry and demands heater use; heat waves force the A/C to work harder. Preconditioning the cabin while plugged in and using seat/steering wheel heaters helps.
3. Payload and passengers
The EV9 is designed to haul people and gear, but a fully loaded three‑row SUV has to work harder. Tons of cargo, a rooftop box, or towing will all cut into your real‑world range.
4. Wheel and tire choice
The GT‑Line’s 21‑inch wheels and performance‑oriented tires hurt efficiency versus the 19‑inch setups on Wind and Land. If max range matters more than aesthetics, smaller wheels are your friend.
5. Elevation changes and wind
Climbing long grades or driving into a strong headwind can chop range dramatically. Descending or enjoying a tailwind can do the opposite. This is why two similar‑length trips can give very different results.
6. Use of Eco/Normal/Sport modes
Eco mode softens throttle response and can help rein in wasteful acceleration. Sport mode is fun, but the EV9’s instant torque makes it easy to overuse, at a real cost in watt‑hours per mile.
7. State of charge window you actually use
Most owners don’t drive from 100% to 0%. If you prefer to stay between, say, 20% and 80%, you’re really working with 60% of the battery’s capacity. Plan range and charging stops around that window, not the full EPA number.
How the EV9’s range compares to other three‑row EVs
The 2024 Kia EV9 doesn’t chase headline range numbers the way some smaller, sleeker EVs do, but within the three‑row segment its story is more competitive. The key is to compare both EPA ratings and how much of that range the vehicle actually delivers at highway speeds.
2024 Kia EV9 vs key rivals: range snapshot
Approximate EPA combined ratings and observed highway performance for comparable three‑row electric SUVs.
| Model & trim (approx.) | Battery pack | Drivetrain | EPA combined range | Highway test result* | EPA achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV9 GT‑Line e‑AWD | 99.8 kWh | AWD | 270 miles | ~240 miles @ 75 mph | ~88% |
| Kia EV9 Light Long Range RWD | 99.8 kWh | RWD | 304 miles | Est. ~260–280 miles @ 70–75 mph | Est. ~85–92% |
| Rivian R1S Dual‑Motor (large pack) | ~135 kWh | AWD | ~321 miles | Often ~230 mi @ 75 mph | Low‑to‑mid 70% |
| Cadillac Lyriq AWD (2‑row) | ~102 kWh | AWD | ~307 miles | Often ~220–230 mi @ 75 mph | Low‑to‑mid 70% |
Figures are representative trims; always check the exact configuration you’re shopping.
Why this matters for you
Planning road trips in a Kia EV9
A three‑row EV lives or dies on its road‑trip usability. The 2024 EV9 brings genuinely adult‑usable third‑row space and a big battery, but to make that work smoothly on long drives you have to think in terms of energy legs, not just miles.
Road‑tripping a 2024 Kia EV9: practical guidelines
Trim‑agnostic principles that keep range anxiety off the itinerary.
Aim for 150–200 mile legs
Even if your EV9 could theoretically do 230–270 miles on a leg, planning 150–200 miles between DC fast charges gives you margin for weather, traffic, detours, and busy stations.
Use the 800‑V architecture
The EV9’s 800‑V platform allows peak DC rates around 230+ kW. In ideal conditions you can go from 10–80% in roughly 25 minutes, about the time it takes for a bio break and food stop.
Leverage route planners
Use Kia’s built‑in navigation or third‑party apps to route via high‑power chargers and estimate arrival state of charge. These tools increasingly account for elevation and temperature automatically.
Don’t chase 100% on DC fast chargers
What range to expect from a used Kia EV9
If you’re considering a used 2024 Kia EV9, the good news is that modern EV batteries tend to degrade slowly when they’re well managed, and the EV9’s large pack and thermal management give it some inherent advantages. But actual range on a three‑year‑old example will depend on how it was charged, stored, and driven.
Typical degradation expectations
Real‑world data from similar Hyundai–Kia E‑GMP vehicles suggests that, with normal use, you might see on the order of 5–10% capacity loss over the first 3–5 years.
- A 304‑mile Light Long Range RWD might behave more like a 270–285 mile SUV.
- A 270‑mile GT‑Line might feel more like a 240–255 mile vehicle.
Abusive use, frequent 100% DC fast charging, extreme heat, or long periods fully charged, can accelerate that loss.
How Recharged measures real battery health
When you shop a used EV9 at Recharged, you’re not guessing. Every vehicle gets a Recharged Score Report with battery diagnostics based on real data, not just age and odometer.
- Pack health compared to when new.
- Estimated usable range at common state‑of‑charge windows.
- Fast‑charging history indicators and thermal behavior.
That transparency makes it easier to compare a used EV9 against alternatives like a used Model X or Rivian R1S in the same price band.
Don’t rely on the dash guess‑o‑meter alone
2024 Kia EV9 range test: FAQs
Common questions about the 2024 Kia EV9’s range
Key takeaways for EV9 shoppers
The 2024 Kia EV9’s range story is less about a single magic number and more about how consistently it turns electrons into miles in the real world. EPA ratings between 230 and 304 miles set expectations, and independent highway testing suggests the EV9, especially in GT‑Line form, delivers a healthier slice of that promise at 75 mph than several key rivals.
If you prioritize maximum range and efficiency, the Light Long Range RWD is the standout. If you want all‑weather traction and performance, the Wind, Land, and GT‑Line still offer credible 200‑plus‑mile real‑world legs with the right planning, backed by strong DC fast‑charging performance. For used‑EV shoppers, tools like Recharged’s Score Report make it possible to see how much of that capability a specific EV9 still retains.
In other words, the 2024 Kia EV9 isn’t a range outlier in any direction, but in a segment full of marketing‑driven numbers, it’s refreshingly honest. If you match the trim to your needs, understand how conditions affect range, and leverage its fast‑charging hardware, it can be a very livable electric family hauler for both daily duty and serious road trips.
