Hooked to a super-fast charger, Kia’s all-new, all-electric EV9 can recapture an 80-percent charge in just 24 minutes. But what’s the rush?

You’ll be stretched out in the ultra-cushy three-row SUV, front seat reclined and power leg-rests deployed, while the Ergo Motion system performs a soothing massage. Might as well do the slow charger and flip on the 14-speaker Meridian audio system.

Kia and family (Hyundai, Genesis) have been attracting enormous attention in the EV world with several striking designs over the last couple of years. The EV9 has become the new flagship SUV, but stay tuned as the dynamic brand reportedly plans 10 more electric vehicles by 2026.

The EV9 is considered an upper-midsize but is just a half-inch bigger than its Telluride kin. It’s unusually boxy and upright for an EV, with stacked LED’s and a lightning-bolt line of running lights. Working air intakes at the front corners cool the brakes.

On the sides, fender flares and recessed door handles reduce wind resistance. Rear tail lights have a radical, jagged streak, while the rear wiper is neatly hidden under the spoiler where it belongs.

EV9’s base trim, called Light, starts in the mid $50s, has a single motor and rear-wheel-drive. At the high end is the GT-Line, not to be confused with a GT — that 576-hp powerhouse is expected in early 2025. The GT-Line, meanwhile, blends near-luxury comfort with a hint of sportiness and uses two motors for more power and the sure-footedness of all-wheel-drive .

Along with its dual motors are dual World Car awards — World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle — bestowed for its exterior design and seven-seat interior: .

The electric motors are energized by a 99.8 kWh battery and offer a combined output of 379 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration is brisk at 4.8 seconds, with the quarter-mile in around 13 seconds.

EV9’s driving dynamics are excellent. Steering is responsive and nicely weighted, and braking is strong and even. Corners are negotiated with good grip and minimal lean, especially for a nearly three-ton SUV. Partial credit goes to the battery-derived low center of gravity.

Kia left out adaptive dampers and air suspension yet it handles modest bumps and dips acceptably. The 21-inch wheels contribute to a firmer ride, however.

Three drive modes here and Normal is where you’ll spend most of your time. Eco lightens the giddy-up and extends the range a bit; In Sport mode, adjustable seat bolsters tighten while throttle response quickens for a livelier ride.

EV9 also offers three levels of regenerative braking, controlled by paddle shifters behind the wheel. They vary from coasting to what is called one-pedal driving, which is convenient in traffic and can bring the vehicle to an eventual stop by just releasing the accelerator.

While towing surely is not range-friendly, the SUV can pull 5,000 pounds and is equipped with a self-leveling rear suspension.

Electric range is not exceptional anyway at a Kia-estimated 270 miles, but some in buyer forums say they’re doing better at closer to 300. Climate, hills and personal driving style will contribute to your range.

As for charging, you’ll need at least a Level 2 charger at home to get juiced up in nine hours. A public fast-charger will get it to 80 percent in about 1.5 hours. Or plug into a household outlet — if you have nowhere to be for four days.

The immediate reward for spending the extra bucks for an EV — and extra time at charge stations — is the energy savings. The EPA estimates 88 MPGe around town, 72 highway, for a combined figure of 80. And Kia offers 3,000 miles of free charge with Electrify America.

Inside, the EV9 is easily the roomiest and most comfortable family electric on the road, excluding luxury three-row models from Mercedes and Tesla that cost far more. It seats six or seven and has nearly 160 cubic feet of passenger volume and comfort — even adults can sit in the third row with some courtesy from the mid-row folks. The third row has USB-C ports and AC vents, too.

GT-Line front seats are trimmed in Syn-Tex, a faux leather that looks and feels fine. The driver gets 10-way power seats with 4-way lumbar adjustment, an extra premium comfort setting, bolster adjustments and two-way power leg extensions.

A second-row bench seat enables seating for seven. But captain’s chairs and the Second Row Relaxation Package ($2,000) offer those riders similar comfort to the front: Heated/ventilated seats that recline with massage feature and power leg rests. It includes overhead AC vents with their own controls and window shades.

The seats have USB ports and pockets behind the front seats that are large enough to store laptops. They also offer access to a storage tray and bin that slide out from the dual-purpose front center console.

Up front, three digital displays are nicely merged into one broad screen. A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen provides navigation, entertainment, vehicle settings and diagnostics. Another, in front of the driver, is an LCD display with gauge cluster and other driver data. Sandwiched between them is a 5-inch climate touchscreen for current temp, fan speed and vent positions.

You’ll need to be careful when reaching for the touchscreen — it’s easy for a finger to tap the haptic buttons aligned just underneath it. A couple of other oddities worth mentioning: The gear-selector stalk is, well, unusual and takes some getting used to, but not a big deal once you do. And, the start button is in an unconventional spot behind the steering wheel. What’s up with that?

The GT-Line also gets a 12-inch head-up display that is well executed with at-a-glance information and a blind-spot detector that shows an approaching vehicle.

A fair amount of storage cubbies exist, and cup holders up front can squeeze closed for an extra stash spot. Unfortunately, they’re less effective as cup holders than storage areas, failing to hold cups snugly regardless of size.

Rear storage is much handier. Open the hands-free lift gate for 20.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row, plus a shallow under-floor area. Fold the rear seats — easily, with a strap — for 43.5 cubic feet more. The second row power-folds for a cargo capacity of nearly 82 cubes.

EV9 comes standard with a package of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, navigation-based assist on curves, and collision-avoidance systems for forward, rear and blind-spot situations. The GT-Line also gets an advanced highway-drive assist.

If it’s a quick, quiet, three-row EV that is shy of the luxury sticker prices, look no further. But check your dealer on the tax incentives. The EV9 should qualify now that production moved to Kia’s Georgia plant. Only leased vehicles may qualify, but Kia also offers its own incentive to match the federal one. Sounds like a win-win.

2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line

MSRP:$73,900

As tested: $76,935 (Includes 2nd Row Relaxation package, $2,000; head-up display; 21-inch alloy wheels; increased towing capacity with self-leveling rear suspension; remote start, park assist)

What's all the excitement about? All-new three-row EV offers spectacular comfort even for second- and third-row passengers

Powertrain: Dual motor setup produces 379 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque; 99.8 kWh lithium ion battery offers expected range at 270 miles

How's the performance? Swift acceleration, like most EV’s, with 60 mph coming in 4.8 seconds, quarter-mile around 13; Excellent driving dynamics, nicely controlled ride on highway and around town.

Fuel economy: EPA-estimated 88 MPGe city, 72 highway, for combined 80 MPGe

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC