If you’re looking at a three-row electric SUV, cargo space isn’t a side note, it’s the whole plot. The Kia EV9 cargo space dimensions tell you whether this big electric brick can handle strollers, sports gear, Costco runs, and occasional flat‑pack furniture without turning every trip into Tetris on Hard Mode.
Headline numbers at a glance
Kia EV9 cargo space overview
On paper, the Kia EV9 is right in the thick of the three-row SUV pack. With all three rows in place, you get 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some luxury three-rows, slightly less than the biggest gas SUVs. Fold the third row and you open up 43.5 cubic feet; drop both second and third rows and you’re looking at a flat-ish cargo floor with 81.7 cubic feet of volume to play with.
Key Kia EV9 cargo and interior stats
Those numbers put the EV9 squarely in “real minivan alternative” territory. It’s not the absolute cargo king of the segment, but it’s big enough that your limiting factor is more often how neatly you pack, not the sheet metal itself.
Kia EV9 cargo space dimensions by row
Kia EV9 cargo space by seating configuration
Factory cargo volume ratings for the 2024–2026 Kia EV9 across common seat positions.
| Configuration | Cargo volume (cu ft) | What that means in real life |
|---|---|---|
| Behind 3rd row (all seats up) | 20.2 | About 4–5 medium suitcases or a week’s worth of family groceries. |
| Behind 2nd row (3rd row folded) | 43.5 | Big Costco/Target haul, multiple large suitcases, or a dog crate plus luggage. |
| Behind 1st row (2nd & 3rd rows folded) | 81.7 | Flat-pack furniture, bikes (wheels on for kids’ bikes), or a serious move. |
| Frunk RWD | 3.2 | Charging cable, emergency kit, or a couple of soft duffel bags. |
| Frunk AWD | 1.8 | Cable bag and a few small items; think glovebox-plus. |
All figures are manufacturer or third‑party published specs; small differences between sources are rounding, not fundamentally different vehicles.
A couple of quirks are worth calling out. First, the EV9’s liftgate opening is tall and relatively square, which makes the space easier to use than the raw cubic‑foot numbers suggest. Second, the floor behind the third row is not particularly deep, so tall items like strollers or coolers may need to be loaded on their side or with the third row folded.
Mind the load floor height
Frunk and hidden storage in the Kia EV9
The EV9 adds a bonus storage space where the V6 would sit in a gas SUV. In rear‑wheel‑drive trims (Light and Light Long Range), the frunk offers up to 3.2 cubic feet. On all‑wheel‑drive trims (Wind, Land, GT‑Line), the extra front motor shrinks that to about 1.8 cubic feet.
- RWD frunk (≈3.2 cu ft): best for a full charging kit, small backpack, first‑aid kit, and emergency tools.
- AWD frunk (≈1.8 cu ft): realistically holds the OEM charging cable and a few small soft items.
- Under‑floor rear storage: shallow bin under the cargo floor behind the third row for odds and ends or to anchor the portable charger case.
- Door pockets & console: deep, but count as passenger storage more than cargo.
Smart way to use the frunk
Passenger space and seat configurations
Cargo and people always fight for the same real estate, so it helps to know how the EV9’s cabin is laid out. Kia sells the EV9 in both six‑passenger (captain’s chairs) and seven‑passenger (second‑row bench) configurations. Either way, you get three rows and a genuinely adult‑friendly second row.
Kia EV9 key interior dimensions
Legroom and passenger volume numbers that affect how much cargo you can carry with people on board.
| Row | Measurement | Dimension |
|---|---|---|
| Front row legroom | 41.4 in | Comfortable even for tall drivers and front passengers. |
| Second row legroom | 42.8 in | Limousine‑like; great for rear‑facing seats or tall teens. |
| Third row legroom (bench) | ≈30.8–32.0 in | Usable for adults on shorter trips, good for kids. |
| Passenger volume (7‑passenger) | 158.8 cu ft | Very close to big gas three‑row SUVs. |
| Passenger volume (6‑passenger) | 160.3 cu ft | Slightly airier feel thanks to captain’s chairs. |
Exact figures can vary slightly by trim and seat option, but the overall packaging story stays the same.
6-passenger EV9 (captain’s chairs)
- Two captain’s chairs in the second row with a pass‑through to the third row.
- Slightly easier access to the third row for kids.
- Great if you regularly carry four people and their luggage.
- Cargo volumes behind each row are effectively the same as the 7‑seat version.
7-passenger EV9 (bench)
- Three‑person bench in the second row for maximum seating capacity.
- Still generous legroom; good for car seats across the bench.
- Walk‑in function tilts the bench for third‑row access.
- Best if you’re often at max headcount but still need grocery or stroller room behind the 3rd row.
Family‑first packaging
Kia EV9 cargo space vs. Telluride and other rivals
Kia very clearly benchmarked its own Telluride when it sized the EV9. If you’re cross‑shopping gas vs. electric, or just wondering what you’re giving up (or gaining) by going battery‑powered, the comparison is telling.
Kia EV9 cargo space vs key three‑row rivals
How the EV9’s cargo specs stack up against well‑known three‑row SUVs.
| Model | Behind 3rd row | Behind 2nd row | Max cargo (approx.) | Notable notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV9 | 20.2 cu ft | 43.5 cu ft | 81.7 cu ft | Plus small frunk (up to 3.2 cu ft RWD). |
| Kia Telluride (gas) | 21.0 cu ft | 46.0 cu ft | 87.0 cu ft | Slightly more space; no frunk, higher cargo ratings overall. |
| Rivian R1S (EV) | ≈17–18 cu ft | ≈47 cu ft | ≈88 cu ft | Bigger max cargo, but tighter with all three rows up. |
| Tesla Model X (EV) | ≈15–16 cu ft | ≈37 cu ft | ≈85 cu ft | Less space behind 3rd row; similar max cargo. |
| BMW X7 (gas) | 12.8 cu ft | 48.6 cu ft | 90+ cu ft | Tiny space with all rows up, big when folded. |
Some numbers differ by a few tenths depending on source; we’ve rounded to keep this readable.
Short version: with the third row up, the EV9 is actually quite competitive. It gives you more usable space than some higher‑priced luxury options and is only a hair short of the Telluride. With all the seats folded, the EV9 can’t quite match the biggest body‑on‑frame‑style haulers, but it’s close enough that most owners won’t notice the difference unless they’re in the moving‑business.
What you trade for electric power
Real-world packing: what actually fits in an EV9
How the EV9’s cargo space plays out in everyday life
From school runs to ski trips, here’s what those cubic‑foot numbers feel like.
Daily life with all three rows up
With 20.2 cu ft behind the 3rd row, you can expect to fit:
- 4–5 rolling carry‑on suitcases, or
- 1 stroller plus 2–3 medium duffel bags, or
- One big weekly grocery run for a family of four.
Road trip with 4–5 people
Fold the 3rd row and you open up 43.5 cu ft:
- Luggage for five plus a cooler.
- Camping gear: tent, pads, bags, and bins.
- Dog crate and bags behind the 2nd row.
Max‑capacity hauling
With both rear rows folded:
- Two adult bikes with wheels off (or kids’ bikes wheels on).
- Flat‑pack bookcases and a small sofa.
- Home‑improvement supplies like lumber (within length limits).
Because the EV9’s roofline stays fairly square rather than sloping dramatically like a coupe‑SUV, you can stack taller items without sacrificing rear visibility too badly. That makes it a better partner for IKEA trips than some sleeker competitors that look sporty but load like a fastback.
Tips to maximize Kia EV9 cargo space
7 ways to get the most out of your EV9’s cargo area
1. Use the third row selectively
If you don’t absolutely need the third row on a given trip, fold it. Going from 20.2 to 43.5 cubic feet dramatically changes what you can carry without touching the second row.
2. Pack light but tall
The EV9’s cargo area is higher off the ground but fairly tall inside. Use stacking totes or soft duffels you can pile vertically rather than heavy hard‑sided trunks.
3. Reserve the frunk for permanent gear
Treat the frunk as a semi‑permanent home for your charging cable, tire inflator, first‑aid kit, and jumper pack. That keeps the rear area tidy and frees up space for real cargo.
4. Use fold‑flat seats correctly
Make sure headrests are dropped and seats are fully down so you get the flattest possible floor. In some trims, the second row folds via power switches near the cargo area, use them.
5. Measure big items before you leave
Long boxes like skis or flat‑pack furniture may require folding one side of the second row. A quick tape‑measure check in your garage beats discovering it doesn’t fit in the store parking lot.
6. Keep heavy things forward and low
For stability and braking, put the heaviest items as far forward as possible, right behind the second row, and avoid stacking weight high against the liftgate.
7. Consider a roof box for special trips
For rare “everything must come with us” vacations, a roof box or rack transforms the EV9 into something very close to a full‑size SUV mover, without you living with that bulk every day.
Don’t overload your EV9
Is the Kia EV9’s cargo space enough for your life?
Perfect match if...
- You regularly carry 4–6 people and need honest cargo room behind them.
- Your life is school runs, sports practices, weekend getaways, and big‑box store errands.
- You’re coming from a midsize crossover and want more space without going to a jumbo, truck‑based SUV.
- You like the idea of a quiet, smooth, fully electric three‑row that still works as a family appliance.
Maybe not ideal if...
- You frequently haul construction materials, appliances, or tow‑behind gear where every cubic foot counts.
- Your current benchmark is a max‑capacity gas SUV or minivan and you routinely max it out.
- You want eight seats; the EV9 tops out at six or seven, depending on configuration.
For most families moving out of a compact SUV, or even many coming out of a three‑row crossover, the EV9 feels like an upgrade in both passenger comfort and usable space. You give up a few cubic feet versus the largest gas SUVs, but you gain electric refinement, a frunk, and the smug satisfaction of never standing at a gas pump in February again.
Thinking about a used EV9?
Kia EV9 cargo space FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Kia EV9 cargo space
The Kia EV9 doesn’t try to out‑muscle every gas SUV on sheer cubic footage, but it doesn’t have to. It delivers a smart, square, genuinely useful cargo area; enough space behind the third row for real family life; a bonus frunk; and the kind of calm, electric driving experience that makes long days on the road far less of a chore. If you want three rows, serious usability, and no tailpipe, the cargo story here is not a compromise, it’s the selling point.
