Kia EV9 Wins Awards during 2024 Texas Auto Roundup
How can we already be 5 months into the year? Time just seems to be flying by, but not before the many automotive journalists of the industry slap on a badge for vehicles that earn a little more recognition. For instance, the 2024 Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Auto Roundup had recently concluded, and a certain Kia electric vehicle won a handful of awards this year. Kia’s new flagship battery-electric vehicle (BEV), the Kia EV9 continues to win awards, named the “Electric Vehicle of Texas” and “Best in Class” in the Performance SUV, Mid-size CUV and Electric Vehicle categories.
“The Kia EV9’s trophy case continues to grow and being named the ’Electric Vehicle of Texas’ from the 2024 TAWA Auto Roundup is further evidence that the first mainstream three-row EV SUV has wide appeal…Texans love their SUVs and the TAWA members are a discerning group who are well aware of that fact, which makes EV9’s recognition all the more significant for the Kia brand.” – Steven Center, CEO & EVP, Kia America
That’s quite the win for the automaker and the Kia EV9. During the TAWA Auto Roundup, more than 20 TAWA automotive journalist members from across the U.S. put a number of vehicles through two days of evaluation, including a set of day-to-day driving conditions to give members a chance to drive the vehicle as they would their own. Out of the industry’s best trucks, SUVs and CUVs on the market, the Kia EV9 came out on top.
What makes this vehicle so special? Succeeding the Kia EV6, the electric hatchback, and the first all-electric vehicle to have no gasoline precedent, the EV9 is the second all-electric vehicle to follow the new introduction of Kia BEVs. Seemingly based on the Kia Telluride, the automaker’s largest SUV to-date, the Kia EV9 will soon be joined by the Kia EV3 concept. Just like the EV9, the EV3 and EV4 concepts use more sustainable materials to produce the vehicles. In fact, we’ll be hearing more about the Kia EV3 this week after the PR on Thursday. So, be sure to check that out.
The 2024 Kia EV9 starts at $54,900 (plus destination fee). Available in a variety of trims, the standard power setup is a 76.1 kWh battery that powers two motors, with an output of 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Past the base, a 99.8 kWh battery replaces the energy source, able to generate 201 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Tweaked for more power, the EV9 Wind and Land trims can generate 379 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, followed by the GT-Line trim that generates 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. With the introduction of BEVs, Kia also promised to start a new GT lineup, and started it all with the Kia Stinger. Now, every major Kia model comes with a GT-Line or GT trim to show the true performance of a Kia car.
Driving range also differs between powertrains. The all-electric range (AER) for the Light trim is 230 miles, whereas the Light Long Range is 304 miles. The Wind and Land trims have an AER of 280 miles, and the GT-Line provides an AER of 270 miles.
Looking to go green? Find the new Kia EV9 at Miami Lakes Automall.