Kia has started producing the EV9 electric SUV in Georgia, and this is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it marks the EV9 as the first electric vehicle to be assembled in Georgia. Secondly, this move will create more stable jobs in the U.S. And thirdly, it’s going to make the affordable electric SUV even cheaper.
The drop in price comes from the fact that by shifting the production of the EV9 from Korea to Georgia, the vehicle now qualifies for the federal EV tax credit. This credit reduces the total price of the SUV by $7,500. The EV9 was already competitively priced, and this rebate makes it even more attractive.
So, what will the overall cost be now? Assuming the 2025 model is priced similarly to the 2024 model, the base EV9 Light RWD will start at $48,895 after the tax credit, down from $56,395, which includes a $1,495 destination fee. Many customers might choose to upgrade to the Light Long Range RWD model, which will now cost $53,195 and offers a range of 304 miles compared to 230 miles. Another popular option could be the Wind e-AWD model, which will now be priced at $57,895 and provides a range of 280 miles.
This pricing is based on the 2024 model, and there could be slight differences when the 2025 model goes on sale. While it’s possible that the prices might drop further since Kia won’t need to import the car anymore, it’s more likely the list price will stay close to the 2024 model’s pricing before the EV tax credit.
Earlier this year, I reviewed the 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line and was highly impressed. The vehicle boasts a modern, bright interior, solid technological features, and energetic performance, characteristics that I’ve come to appreciate in modern Kia electric cars. Additionally, it provides three rows of seating, making it one of the most affordable electric cars to offer this feature, and it could become the go-to family-size SUV for those looking to switch to electric vehicles.
However, the EV9 will face competition in the future. Hyundai is preparing to launch its own large electric SUV, the Hyundai Ioniq 9, which is expected to debut sometime in 2024 and will likely be priced similarly to the EV9.
Despite the upcoming competition, the fact that the EV9 is becoming more affordable is great news for U.S. buyers. The 2025 EV9 is scheduled to go on sale later this year, and apart from the lower pricing, it’s expected to feature the North American Charging System (NACS) port. Additionally, Kia is planning to introduce a superfast EV9 GT trim to the lineup for the first time in 2025, with other upgrades yet to be announced.