DecodedCars2026 Kia EV9
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV RWD
- Engines
- Electric motor
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV
- EV range
- 305 mi · 8.1 h on 240 V
- Length
- 197.2 in
- Curb weight
- 5,093–5,650 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Long EV rangeUp to 305 miles on a charge (EPA).
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Kia EV9 is a standard SUV powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 197 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,650 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 305 miles and takes about 8.1 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 EV9 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 EV9 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: West Point, Georgia
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2026 EV9 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 197.2 in | 78 in | 68.9 in | 122 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 5,650 lb | 47/53 |
| 4dr SUV RWD | 197.2 in | 78 in | 68.9 in | 122 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 5,093 lb | 46/54 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV9 Long Range RWD EV | 160 kW PMSM (IPM) | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 305 mi · 38 kWh/100mi | – | $850 | – |
| EV9 Standard Range RWD EV | 160 kW PMSM (IPM) | Automatic (A1) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 230 mi · 38 kWh/100mi | – | $850 | – |
| EV9 Long Range AWD EV | 141 kW PMSM (IPM) | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 283 mi · 40 kWh/100mi | – | $900 | – |
| EV9 Long Range AWD GT-Line EV | 141 kW PMSM (IPM) | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 280 mi · 41 kWh/100mi | – | $900 | – |
| EV9 GT EV | 139 and 235 kW PMSM (IPM) | Automatic (A1) | All-Wheel Drive | 260 mi · 43 kWh/100mi | – | $950 | – |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Kia EV9.
Similar 2026 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kia EV9 (this car) | 305 mi | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota 4Runner | 23 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2026 Toyota Highlander | 35 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe | 36 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Aug 21, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V545000 · 21,290 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2025-2026 EV9 vehicles. Due to improper routing, the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may not deactivate the air bag when a child or child seat is in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- A child in the front seat may be at a greater risk of injury if the air bag deploys during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the ODS mat and bladder tube with a new one and ensure proper routing as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters will be mailed beginning October 20, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC379. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 4, 2026.
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Jan 26, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V046000 · 42,677 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
Not every 2026 Kia EV9 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other EV9 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →