Kia EV9 Starts Filling its Trophy Case

Breaking barriers as the first 3-row crossover EV from a mainstream brand, the EV9 is a vehicle that demands attention. Its unique features have not gone unnoticed by those who test, review, and award them. The EV9 has already started receiving accolades from both well-known and unexpected sources. Kia of Mankato is excited to share these achievements with you. 

2024 World Car Awards

Let’s delve into the pinnacle of automotive recognition, the World Car Awards. On March 27th, at the esteemed New York Auto Show, the EV9 secured not one but two prestigious titles. It was crowned the World Electric Vehicle, and then, in a moment of triumph, the World Car of the Year, the highest honor in the industry.

The World Car Awards are determined by a jury of 100 distinguished automotive journalists representing 29 countries. They recognized the EV9 for its innovative design, spacious seven-seat interior, and competitive price point. Kia has already claimed three wins from this group, including the Telluride as World Car of the Year and the Soul EV as World Urban Car in 2020. In 2023, the Kia EV6 GT was awarded World Performance Car of the Year.

“EV9 is a clear representation of Kia’s vision, and further evidence of our dedication to quality. This award cements Kia’s standing as the frontrunner in sustainable mobility solutions that go beyond conventional automobiles. We share this honor with our global teams who contributed their utmost efforts to drive EV9’s success,” said Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon, President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America.

Newsweek’s Greatest Auto Disruptors Awards

Newsweek’s Greatest Auto Disruptor awards recognized the EV9’s technology and design. The EV9 was named the “Research and Development Disruptor of the Year.” Contributing factors were the model’s 800-volt architecture, Over The Air (OTA) update technology, and a drag coefficient of just 0.28 — despite its 3-row seating capacity and available 7.8 inches of ground clearance.

“Kia R&D is driven by process, but not limited by it. At Kia, that means our engineers have the agency and trust to accelerate development, continue to pioneer new technology, and deliver improvements faster than the industry average.” – Heuiwon Yang, President and Head of Kia R&D Division.

The second award specifically went to Karim Habib, Head of Kia Global Design, Executive Vice President for “Design Disruptor of the Year.” Habib was the driving force behind Kia’s “Opposites United” design language of which the EV9 is the latest and most comprehensive example. Speaking upon the announcement of his award, EVP Karim said: “It makes me extremely happy that Kia is seen as pushing the boundaries when it comes to design, and I believe that it is essential for designers to consistently take creative risks. It is important that design remains authentic and true to our brand values. At Kia, an innovative and forward-thinking mindset is an intrinsic quality essential for providing relevant and meaningful products and experiences. We want our brand to provide environmentally responsible mobility for all, and we want our brand to be a symbol of innovation and progressive solutions.”

Autotrader’s “Best New Cars of 2024”

At least for this post, the final award is that the EV9 was recognized as one of ten vehicles in Autotrader’s “Best New Cars of 2024.” This trophy will look quite familiar as this is the fourth time a Kia model has been named on the list in as many years. The other models include the Seltos, Sportage, and Telluride.

“Building on Kia’s reputation of delivering vehicles with segment-above excellence, the EV9 brings the three-row SUV into the EV era with available features that matter most,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America.

The EV9 is a fully electric 3-row crossover. Its EV powertrain enables a long wheelbase and flat floor, both increasing the cabin space in a category where such space is a high priority. The operating range is estimated to be 230 miles with the standard 76.1 kWh battery (RWD model) and over 300 miles with the larger 99.8 kWh battery. Better yet, its fast charging ability enables charging from 10% to 80% in under 25 minutes, when most similar EVs will take twice that time. 

The model also features a modern, stylish cabin with a standard digital dash and 12.3-inch information display with standard wireless smartphone compatibility, an AI-generated voice recognition system, and a long list of other technologies.

The stylish and technologically advanced EV9 is simply a vehicle that needs to be experienced in person. Kia of Mankato invites you to do just that because your purchase is the most important award.