I Have 2,000 Miles on My KIA EV9 and Like It, But Regret I Didn't Go a Trim Level Up

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Dan seems happy overall with his Kia EV9 but highlights a few minor frustrations and one regret regarding the trim level he chose. After 2,000 miles on his KIA EV9, he regrets not going a trim level up.

Some of you may remember that about a month ago I reviewed the 2024 KIA EV9, which I thought it surpassed the Telluride and I showed how KIA's EV investment paid off.

But having experienced the new 2024 KIA EV9 myself, I wanted to hear from some other EV9 owners and see if anyone had any regrets about this really nice SUV.  This one owner's regret about his chosen trim level was particularly interesting and I wanted to share it with you here at Torque News.

There is an active Facebook group called KIA EV9 with 17,500 members as of this writing. Two days ago I posted there writing "Hello everyone. How is your experience with the EV9 so far?" By now my question has generated 41 comments from people who say they are EV9 owners, but this one comment stood out.

Dan D writes, "I have 2000 miles or so. A couple of 6-hour trips. I like it, but have a few minor complaints and one regret. I should have gone a trim level up. My minor complaints are the following. I own a 2020 Kia Niro, an older generation car than my new EV9, but with a far better key fob. The stereo and cruise control buttons are reversed between the cars. That's annoying. The Android auto stuff and actual car radio seem to be competitive. It's almost either/or. Range drops quickly at high speeds, more than I would like. But I like the build quality and ride, it's very comfortable for me, and I'm glad I bought it."

 

What particularly interested me - besides his comparison of his 2024 EV9's key fob to that of his 2020 KIA Niro - was his regret of not going a trim level up. I was very much interested in his trim choice because I recently myself reviewed the 2024 KIA EV9.

I asked Dan what trim he has now and what trim he thinks he should have taken instead. I also asked him to tell us the advantages of the upper EV9 trim compared to what he has now.

His reply was very surprising to me, but very much appreciated. It was surprising because he has the EV9 trim, which Car and Driver says offers the most value. Dan has the Wind e-AWD EV9 trim. The Car and Driver in its review of the 2024 KIA EV9 says, "The midrange Wind trim appears to offer the most value, by unlocking the more powerful all-wheel-drive powertrain for 379 horsepower. It also comes with desirable standard features such as second-row captain's chairs, a heat pump for the climate-control system, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a host of driver-assistance features."

Dan explained what is missing in his chosen trim level and what he would like to have. "I bought the Wind (referring to the e-AWD EV9 trim). I might have gone one level up for a few little convenience features, like driver memory stuff. And I wish I had a trailer hitch, but I'll add one in a year or so when they are more available aftermarket."

These are minor things. Dan finds the EV9 comfortable, well-built, and enjoyable to drive. The EV9 has already piled up awards and nominations. This vehicle offers great ride, space and we think the EV9 will outsell the EV6 in the United States if car buyers don't have cheaper options.

A Few More Responses From KIA EV9 Owners

"I’ve driven Toyotas my whole life. I traded in a Toyota 4 runner for this and I don’t regret it. Best car I’ve ever owned and I love it," writes Jeff P.

"No problems so far. Had it about three weeks. 2470 miles. GT Line. Lots of tech to learn. Even though I have had a MachE for 3 years. Sometimes the tech is glitchy but usually I am able to sort it out. I am currently on a road trip from Wisconsin to Utah and am returning home sometime next week. Hopefully it continues. Might have waited if I knew that they were going to drop the price. And I am worried about the glass front end. Will have to see about getting it wrapped," writes Micahel F.

"We are at 1350 miles, with highway and city driving. (Normal driving habits) we have had a great experience so far. Range is higher than posted. Overall, we love it. The suspension could be a bit softer but with the 21” wheels, only so much can be absorbed," writes Jambert C.

Here is one more interesting comment on how the KIA EV9 does on snow. 

"10,000km already! Most of it on the sea to sky Vancouver to Whistler. Tons of snow. BEST car to drive in snow, better than my Toyotas. The heavy battery that evenly weights all 4 wheels gives a kind of traction you just don’t get in ICE cars without loading your trunk. And it’s the most comfortable car I’ve ever had for road trips. And it’s huuuge….fits 7 adults, unlike Tesla where best you can do is little kids in row 3. The household plug is awesome, I can no longer live without the air conditioned seats. All 3 rows recline. The middle row slides to make more leg room in whatever row you want. Seriously great car," writes Kathryn M.

"We have around 4000 miles on our GT-Line and have been enjoying it so far. No real road trips yet and I'm nervous about it because my charging experience away from the house has not been great, so I take my Tesla. Once they open up the Tesla Supercharger network to Kia, it'll be amazing because I never have a worry in it," writes Richard S.

Now getting back to Dan. Do you have any regret about a trim level of a vehicle you have chosen? Please, click the red link below to write your comment whether it's about the EV9 or another model.

 

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News TwitterFacebookLinkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

Submitted by Jer Brant (not verified) on April 29, 2024 - 6:04PM

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I would say go as high as you can when choosing a car trim when purchasing a vehicle. However, I also admit that in some case It is a waste of money to go for the highest trim just to get a few extra non-essential options.

Submitted by Brand Snic (not verified) on April 29, 2024 - 6:08PM

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I do extensive research on all trims and options of the vehicle I want and need before I buy, so I know what I want, before I go test drive or talk numbers.

Submitted by Marc Sam (not verified) on April 29, 2024 - 6:18PM

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I chose the Land e-AWD trim because I didn’t want all of the second row buttons for my kids to play with. I do miss the HUD from my EV6 more than I thought I would.

Submitted by Andy Kwong (not verified) on April 29, 2024 - 6:49PM

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I love the long range but hate that it doesn’t come with memory seats. That wasn’t worth an extra 10k. Didn’t plan on my wife to be driving it half the time when she got her own ride

Submitted by Liberty malabanan (not verified) on April 29, 2024 - 7:26PM

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Bought wind ev9 and wished i went with land as this is a huge car and the surround camera and blind spot monitor wiuld have been very helpful. Other than that, love this car.

Submitted by Jeff Ferraro (not verified) on April 29, 2024 - 11:07PM

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I don’t understand why automatic wipers aren’t included in lower trims. You have to get the prestige for them. But also in that trim is heated and cooled back seats (I have two kids in car seats-not needed) and the HUD which I find distracting and didn’t want. So I went one trim lower. Every car I’ve had since probably 2010 had automatic wipers and I really miss it. But not worth the extra money.

Submitted by Malis Hal (not verified) on April 29, 2024 - 11:08PM

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I settled on my last car and also bought on a whim after seeing one on a lot once ( Nissan Pathfinder) i got a trim level down from what i wanted because of what we could afford. This time i wasn't going to settle. I looked at tellurides for almost a year test drove them drove a palisade and even looked at all of the other 3rd row SUV options to make sure this time i knew what i wanted. I researched the trims for months as well comparing seeing what i definitely wanted. I searched and didn't buy until i found the exact trim color and interior i wanted. Decided the SX xLine prestige was the best bang for my buck. I absolutely am obsessed with her and intend to keep her for a very long time.

Submitted by Tirza Brown (not verified) on April 30, 2024 - 11:17PM

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Most... I was going to get the EX nightfall edition. Ended up getting an SX Nightfall because my son told me to "Go Big or Go Home".

Submitted by Mike Gill (not verified) on May 1, 2024 - 11:54AM

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My name is Mike. I purchased EV9 2024 6 WEEKS AGO.
I wish I had not bought this vehicle. It's nothing but the problems with it.
I drove 450 miles, and I was stuck at charging station due to car charger connect was not being released but after you tubing I figured out but connecter was out and my car won't let me put in drive.
Error on dash board stating that unplug charger but it was already unplugged.
I tried reading manual and looked on line and Kia Website, I didn't find anything to correct the issue. Time was 6pm, 100 miles from my home.
I called kia roadside assistant and they sent tow truck after 4 hrs wait and they sent flat bed instead of left up tow truck, driver refused to drag to load on truck dye to liability issue, 2nd truck came after 2 hrs, same, flatbed, he lift, 3rd truck came around 2:30am and I had pay 300 from my pocket to driver so he can drag n tow. I got home 5am.
Anyhow, dealership kept vehicle there for 10 days to find the problem and they changed the whole computer module.

2nd problem: there is rattling house come pretty loud but dealership hasn't figured out but asked me remove my vehicle from the lot or they will charge me 75 dollars a day.
I'm taking vehicle to different dealership.

Problem 3: full battery charged only giving 166 miles.

Problem 4: Cruise Control works on and off.

Problem 5: radio goes on and off by it self

Kia hasn't figured out problem ans denying to Lemon it.

Kia EV9 2024, PLEASE DO NOT BUY IT.. it's the most problematic vehicle.

Submitted by narinder mahant (not verified) on May 10, 2024 - 3:21PM

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I just got mine 4 weeks ago. Best car I have driven. Kia hit the home run with this one.
just love it.

Submitted by John Baworowsky (not verified) on July 12, 2024 - 8:42AM

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We bought the EV9 Land about three weeks ago and have 700 miles on it. Did a road trip to northern Wisconsin. Clearly this is an excellent vehicle. We also have a Tesla Model S which has been glitchy since the beginning years ago. The EV9 is a solid well built car from a company that knows what it is doing. We are concerned about public charging since the Tesla superchargers aren't available to us. But we'll find out how that plays out when we take it on a longer trip in the coming months.