A new large electric SUV is coming soon, and it’s called the Kia EV9. This highly anticipated vehicle from Kia promises to be spacious, boast a good electric range, and come at a lower price compared to most of its competitors. It’s definitely making waves.
While the EV9 seems like it could be one of the most appealing electric SUVs to hit the U.S. market, those interested in buying it might want to hold off a bit, if possible. Although it’s likely to be the best choice for those wanting a large SUV within its price range right now, waiting a year or so might make it an even better option. Here’s why.
The EV9 is slated to be one of the most affordable electric SUVs available, especially when you disregard vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E and EV6, which are more crossovers than true SUVs. The base price for the EV9 is set at $54,900, which is quite competitive considering that other large three-row electric SUVs, like the Rivian R1S, start at over $80,000.
Additionally, it’s likely that the price could drop even further soon. The first batch of EV9s will be manufactured in South Korea and imported to the U.S., so they won’t qualify for the federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500. However, Kia plans to start making the EV9 at its new assembly plant in Georgia starting in 2024.
It’s important to note that there’s no guarantee the vehicle will qualify for the tax credit when production shifts to the U.S. Kia needs to meet several requirements. The base model will likely qualify, but if you pile on too many options, you could push the price over $80,000, above which SUVs don’t qualify for the credit. Full pricing details for all U.S. models are still pending.
There’s also the possibility that once Kia begins production in Georgia, the EV9’s starting price could drop since there would be no import costs. However, this is speculative, and Kia might decide to keep prices stable to offset the costs of building the new plant.
Assuming the price remains the same but the vehicle qualifies for the tax credit, your total cost after the credit would be around $47,400. That’s a great price for a vehicle like this.
Another reason to wait is the charging technology. The first generation of the EV9 will come with a CCS charging port, compatible with current stations like Electrify America. However, the charging landscape in the U.S. is rapidly changing. Tesla has opened up its NACS charging connector, and Hyundai (Kia’s parent company) recently announced that it will start shipping cars with this connector in late 2024. While Kia’s timeline may differ slightly, it will likely be close behind. Many charging networks have also announced plans to transition from CCS to NACS.
If you buy an EV9 now, you may eventually find it harder to locate compatible charging stations. While it won’t be impossible (since a CCS to NACS adapter can be used), it’s something to consider. Currently, Tesla has opened very few stations to non-Tesla vehicles, and there seem to be compatibility issues with Tesla’s newer V3 stations. More options are expected to be available by mid-2024.
If you’d prefer not to rely on an adapter in the future, waiting until the end of 2024 might be a smart move.
What if the EV9 isn’t the only affordable large electric SUV available soon? Big vehicles are hugely popular in North America, and many manufacturers are racing to release their versions. Competition in the electric SUV market is heating up.
Hyundai is set to launch the Ioniq 7 soon, although it’s still in the concept phase and may take a while to reach the U.S. market. Additionally, we can expect more affordable electric SUVs from Rivian, Ford, and others. So, in a few years, there may be many more options available.
This doesn’t mean buying the EV9 now is a bad decision. Once it launches, it will be among the few choices available. If you need a large new car, want it to be all-electric, can afford it, and don’t mind potentially needing an adapter to charge it in the future, the EV9 is still a worthy purchase. Especially if you can’t afford to wait. If you need a car, you need a car.
However, if you can hold off and any of these concerns are a big deal to you, it’s definitely worth the wait. The 2025 Kia EV9 will probably be even more attractive than the 2024 model.