REPRESENTATIVE PHOTOHyundai Motor Group / PexelsOur verdict
8.6 / 10The EV9 is Kia's landmark moment — a genuinely spacious three-row electric SUV that competes with luxury brands on tech and experience while pricing firmly in the mainstream bracket. For UAE buyers, the 99.8 kWh long-range pack's 492–505 km range is reassuring for inter-emirate travel, the 800V architecture delivers 219 km in 15 minutes of fast charging, and V2L functionality makes it a camp-ready power station. Interior quality and the swivelling second-row seats set it apart from every ICE rival at this price.
Who it's for — Environmentally-conscious UAE families wanting a full seven-seat daily driver; tech-forward buyers who want EV6-level innovation scaled up; anyone doing regular Abu Dhabi–Dubai runs who wants genuine range comfort.
PROS
- +Best-in-class 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty for UAE peace of mind
- +800V ultra-fast charging — 219 km range added in just 15 minutes
- +Spacious three-row cabin with swivelling second-row seats — genuinely innovative
- +V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) lets you power appliances from the car — ideal for desert camps
- +Outstanding infotainment and ADAS at this price point; Meridian audio on Earth trim
- +Striking Kia design language stands out in UAE showrooms
CONS
- –Air trim's 443 km range is adequate but shorter than the long-range AWD models
- –Third-row space is tight for adults vs. Land Cruiser or Tahoe
- –Resale values for EVs in UAE remain uncertain compared to Toyota/Kia ICE models
- –Earth and GT-Line pricing not officially published — buyers must confirm at dealership
- –No desert-rated off-road mode; better suited to urban and highway UAE use
Specifications
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
DIMENSIONS & CAPACITY
Features
SAFETY & ADAS
10 airbags — front, side, curtain, far-side and rear-seat
FCA-2 with junction turning and oncoming vehicle detection — all trims
Lane Keeping Assist-Road Edge (LKA-RE) with lane departure warning
Rear-cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring — all trims
Detects movement in rear seats after doors lock
Alerts occupants when approaching vehicle detected before opening door
HDA2 — hands-on adaptive cruise with lane centring and auto lane change
RSPA2 — automated parallel and perpendicular parking with remote control via key fob
360-degree camera system with 3D bird-eye view — all trims
Direct tyre-pressure monitoring system — all trims
COMFORT
Two-piece panoramic glass roof for first and second rows — all trims
Second-row seats rotate 180° to face third row — available in 6-seat configuration
Electrically folding third row with remote fold/unfold
Three-zone automatic air conditioning — all trims
Driver and passenger heated + ventilated seats — all trims
Outboard second-row seat heating — Earth and GT-Line
8-way power driver seat with 2-way lumbar — all trims; memory added on GT-Line
Hands-free smart power tailgate — all trims
110V/220V external discharge (up to 3.68 kW) — all trims; power household appliances in camp
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Sand modes — AWD trims; Eco and Normal on Air
Gloss black trim, 21-inch alloys, darkened headlights and GT-Line badging
Passenger seat fully reclines as driver rests during charging stops
INFOTAINMENT
Triple-screen setup: 12.3" digital cluster + 5.0" HVAC touch panel + 12.3" centre touchscreen — all trims
Over-the-air software updates for vehicle and infotainment; Kia Connect live services — all trims
Built-in connected navigation with live traffic and EV routing — all trims
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — all trims
14-speaker Meridian premium audio system
Qi wireless charging pad — all trims
USB-A and USB-C ports for all three rows
10.1" rear-seat entertainment screens for second-row passengers
Colour head-up display with navigation — all trims
14-speaker Bose Sound System option on GT-Line
Smartphone-based NFC/UWB digital key — all trims
Trim ladder
| PRICE | AED 313,950 | AED 350,000 | AED 387,450 |
| POWER | 215 hp | 379 hp | 379 hp |
| 0–100 KM/H | 8.2 s | 6 s | 5.3 s |
| FUEL | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| ECONOMY | 17.2 kWh/100km | 20.3 kWh/100km | 19.8 kWh/100km |
| DRIVE | RWD | AWD | AWD |
Kia
Long warranty coverage and improving build quality; resale trails the Japanese but is rising.
Hyundai's design-forward sibling — sharp looks and big equipment lists at mainstream money.
In the UAE — Among the longest warranties in the market for peace of mind.
Where to get it
Official listings are GCC spec. Grey-market imports may be other specs (US, Chinese, Japan) — always confirm the spec, as it affects warranty, A/C cooling and resale.
BUY FROM
RENT FROM
Long-term monthly subscription available through selected UAE dealerships. Short-term rental availability varies; check dubizzle/Yallacompare for third-party listings.
Warranty — 5 years / 150,000 km · Battery warranty: 8 years / 160,000 km. Kia offers one of the longest battery warranties in the segment, providing strong peace of mind in the UAE market.
Frequently asked
How much does the 2025 Kia EV9 cost in the UAE?+
The Kia EV9 ranges from AED 313,950 (EV9 Air) to AED 387,450 for the top trim in the UAE, GCC spec.
Is the Kia EV9 worth buying?+
Caralog rates the Kia EV9 8.6/10. The EV9 is Kia's landmark moment — a genuinely spacious three-row electric SUV that competes with luxury brands on tech and experience while pricing firmly in the mainstream bracket. For UAE buyers, the 99.8 kWh long-range pack's 492–505 km range is reassuring for inter-emirate travel, the 800V architecture delivers 219 km in 15 minutes of fast charging, and V2L functionality makes it a camp-ready power station. Interior quality and the swivelling second-row seats set it apart from every ICE rival at this price.
Who should buy the Kia EV9?+
Environmentally-conscious UAE families wanting a full seven-seat daily driver; tech-forward buyers who want EV6-level innovation scaled up; anyone doing regular Abu Dhabi–Dubai runs who wants genuine range comfort.
What are the pros and cons of the Kia EV9?+
Pros: Best-in-class 8-year / 160,000 km battery warranty for UAE peace of mind; 800V ultra-fast charging — 219 km range added in just 15 minutes; Spacious three-row cabin with swivelling second-row seats — genuinely innovative; V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) lets you power appliances from the car — ideal for desert camps; Outstanding infotainment and ADAS at this price point; Meridian audio on Earth trim; Striking Kia design language stands out in UAE showrooms. Cons: Air trim's 443 km range is adequate but shorter than the long-range AWD models; Third-row space is tight for adults vs. Land Cruiser or Tahoe; Resale values for EVs in UAE remain uncertain compared to Toyota/Kia ICE models; Earth and GT-Line pricing not officially published — buyers must confirm at dealership; No desert-rated off-road mode; better suited to urban and highway UAE use.
Is the Kia EV9 reliable, and does it hold its value?+
Kia has strong reliability and average resale in the UAE. Long warranty coverage and improving build quality; resale trails the Japanese but is rising.
How fast is the Kia EV9?+
The Kia EV9 makes 215 hp and does 0–100 km/h in 8.2s (top speed 185 km/h).
What is the fuel economy of the Kia EV9?+
The Kia EV9 returns about 17.2 kWh/100km combined, with up to 443 km of electric range.
How many seats does the Kia EV9 have?+
The Kia EV9 seats 7, with 333 litres of boot space.
Where can I buy the Kia EV9 in the UAE?+
Available from Kia UAE (Al Majid Motors). 5 years / 150,000 km warranty.
What are the alternatives to the Kia EV9?+
Cross-shop the Hyundai IONIQ 9, BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQB, Tesla Model X, Toyota bZ4X.