Kia EV9: The 7-Seater Electric SUV Everyone Is Talking About in Dubai

Abu Dhabi: The Kia EV9, a premium and luxury all-electric SUV, arrived in the UAE in mid-2024 and has lifted the segment. It has created a sensation in Dubai and across the Emirates. Take a test drive, and it is not difficult to understand why the buzz after all. This isn’t another all-electric EV trying to make a mark in an already crowded market. It is Kia's most ambitious take yet, trying to make a point that its full-size, all-electric SUV is practical, spacious, luxurious, and genuinely family-friendly all at once. 

Based on Kia’s modern E-GMP platform with 800V architecture, the EV9 is a refreshing premium electric SUV that promises everything buyers in the segment want: proper three-row seating that adults can actually use, a combination of sophisticated technology and contemporary design, and a new take on the regular SUV. The appetite of families in the UAE is growing towards full-size, all-electric premium and luxury SUVs. With the EV9, there is no compromise on either space,  performance or range; it delivers on everything customers wish. Starting at AED 387,450, this high-end SUV takes on Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW in the segment. 

What makes EV9 Special in Dubai

Spacious and Practical: With a full-size SUV, families always prefer space, which you will find plenty of in this SUV. With three rows that actually work, it is highly useful to carry more people. With a 3,100 mm wheelbase and clever design, the cabin is extremely spacious, offering genuine adult-friendly space across all three rows. Importantly, the third row isn't just for children or emergencies; it comfortably accommodates adults on medium to long journeys, something very few three-row SUVs are able to do successfully.

Easy Charging: The 800V electrical architecture translates into purely practical charging speeds. Allowing 219 km of range in just 15 minutes, which means a quick coffee break at the charging stations is sufficient for a top-up for most journeys. The 10-80% charge time of nearly 24 minutes is fast enough that you're not spending your entire day waiting at chargers. For UAE driving practices, this makes the EV9 a really suitable option for families who often travel between emirates regularly.

Functional Technology: Kia has managed successfully to equip the EV9 with an impressive set of tech, which is not just cutting-edge but highly sophisticated. However, it is easy to use, seamless and intuitive rather than complicated. The massive displays are sharp and responsive, the swivelling second-row seats can be multipurpose use, and features like Remote Smart Parking Assist actually work reliably. This tech is not just for scoring points, but it actually improves and eases everyday use.

Impressive Design: The exterior design is one big highlight of the EV9 that most of us would agree on. It has that aura of a full-size capable SUV at the front and side profile. The digital pattern lighting, subtle and clean lines, and unique proportions give it an imposing road presence. What makes the design special is its distinctiveness among its peers in the market; the EV9 stands out while remaining handsome enough to grow as it ages. It is a true representation of what an electric SUV should look like, combining modern looks, strong build quality and great road presence.

Brand Kia: Over the years, the brand Kia has become highly regarded and is now making a mark in the premium segment, far from its budget-brand origins. The EV9 is a perfect example of the brand's ambitious foray into the premium segment with quality materials, excellent build quality, and attention to detail that matches German luxury brands. The growing dealer network and the brand’s excellent after-sales support across the UAE through a comprehensive warranty boost confidence in the brand. 

Exterior 

The front design showcases Kia's unique digital pattern lighting with small cube headlamps positioned vertically, which makes it look elegent. Likewise, the dynamic welcome light gives a premium touch, and auto flush door handles stay hidden when parked or driving, popping out automatically on approach, a subtle detail that enhances both aerodynamics and aesthetics.

Parameter	Measurement
Length	5,015 mm
Width	1,980 mm
Height	1,755 mm
Wheelbase	3,100 mm
Ground Clearance	175 mm
Cargo (all rows up)	333 liters
Cargo (3rd row folded)	828 liters

The rear gets LED combination lamps with Star Map signature lighting that spreads gradually up and down, something you would love at night. The overall design balances stylish and bold cues and avoids the overly aggressive styling some EVs adopt while maintaining a strong visual presence.

Interior

Once you’re inside the cabin, it won’t take long to absorb the beauty, luxury and plush design. The quality is obvious from the premium materials throughout the cabin, with soft-touch surfaces, quality plastics, and excellent fit and finish, certainly worthy of its price point.  The two 12.3-inch displays, plus the 5.3-inch segment display, give you an impressive digital cockpit feel. There are physical buttons provided for essential functions that help you operate the menu without looking at the screen and touch operation, which is annoying at times. The dual sunroof spans both first and second rows, which gives an airy, open feeling that passengers will love.

Another highlight is the second-row swivelling seats, in the 6-seat configuration, these captain's chairs rotate 180 degrees, allowing passengers to face the third row. This can be an office or family gathering inside the car, something enjoyable during road trips or a mobile meeting. It's not just a gimmick; it indeed feels useful and makes the SUV multipurpose.

Seating flexibility is excellent. The 7-seat layout with a second-row bench maximises passenger capacity. Critically, even the third row provides genuine adult accommodation, big huge plus with enough leg and headroom. The seats are properly cushioned rather than the hard benches many competitors offer. Features like ventilated and heated seats in the first two rows provide year-round comfort, essential in the UAE's extreme temperature swings. The multi-zone climate control ensures every passenger is well looked after and stays comfortable in high temperatures.

Top Features

Being a premium, luxury SUV, the EV9 hardly misses any technology features.

Connectivity and Infotainment:

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
• Multiple USB-C ports across all three rows for device charging
• Wireless charging pads for smartphones
• Kia Connect app for remote monitoring and control
• Premium sound system with excellent clarity

Advanced Driver Assistance:

• Lane Following Assist 2 with improved steering control
• Blind-Spot View Monitor displaying rear-side cameras when signaling
• Surround View Monitor with multiple angle views for parking
• Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 for autonomous parking from outside
• Digital Side Mirrors with 7-inch OLED displays (where available)

Safety Systems:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist with emergency braking
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist for forward, side, and reverse scenarios
• Multiple airbags throughout the cabin
• Comprehensive structural safety from the E-GMP platform

The Remote Smart Parking Assist deserves special mention; it works reliably, allowing you to park in tight spaces while standing outside. The system handles steering, acceleration, braking, and shifting automatically, and the improved version now recognises parking lines and enables diagonal parking.

Powertrains

Specification	Details
Battery Capacity	99.8 kWh lithium-ion
Motor Type	Dual permanent magnet synchronous motors
Power Output	282.6 kW (approx. 379 hp)
Torque	700 Nm
Drive Type	All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Transmission	Single-speed direct drive
0-100 km/h Acceleration	Around 5.3 seconds
DC Fast Charging	Supports 350 kW, 10%-80% in 24 mins
Special Features	Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), regenerative braking, multiple drive modes

Charging

Aspect	Detail
Architecture	800V system
Fast Charging	10-80% in ~24 minutes
Quick Charge	219 km added in 15 minutes
AC Charging	Standard home charging supported
V2L Function	Vehicle-to-Load capability included

The 800V architecture enables extremely fast charging speeds that make electric vehicle ownership highly practical. A fast DC charger allows quick charging enough for your everyday driving needs. Also, home charging is possible overnight, which makes it super easy to start each day with a full battery for most owners. The SUV’s Vehicle-to-Load function provides standard 230V power output, enabling the running of laptops, camping equipment, or small appliances directly from the vehicle. This proves surprisingly useful for outdoor activities, emergencies, or even powering tools at remote locations.

Variants

Choose between three available variants in the UAE right now

AIR: The AIR is the entry-level version with a 76 kWh battery, producing 215 hp and 350 Nm torque..

EARTH: The EARTH variant gets a more powerful powertrain of a 98.8 kWh battery and 378 hp of power.

GT-LINE: The GT-LINE top-end variant with a powerful electric SUV with a 98.8 kWh battery, delivering 378 hp and 700 Nm torque.

Conclusion

The Kia EV9 is an impressive premium electric SUV that combines real three-row practicality with advanced technology and confident performance in a package that feels exceptionally elegant and luxurious. This suits UAE families that are looking for a transition to an all-electric SUV where nothing is compromised:  space, practicality,  charging capability, along with a smooth and refined driving experience.

Kia has clearly focused on making the EV9 relevant for Middle Eastern buyers. The range is quite enough for inter-city travel, the fast charging makes it awesome and removes anxiety about longer trips, and the cabin is truly luxurious with all the modern features that traditional SUVs cannot match. The EV9 isn't perfect; being an EV, charging and range are always factors, and initial cost is substantial, but this SUV represents where the market is heading convincingly.

If you're in the market for a large family SUV and open to an electric option, the Kia EV9 is a great option. A lot is going for this SUV, and it is worth exploring among its key rivals before you make a decision. A test driver and in-depth comparison might help you arrive at the right decision. And it is perfect for your family, focusing on space, capability, and modern features without compromise.