I had been wanting to get an EV for a couple of years but really couldn't justify it as my Yukon was nearly new and had only 50k miles. Last year we moved my mother into my home and she was having trouble getting into the Yukon, so I decided it was a good time to a vehicle a little easier to get into. The EV 9 had just recently hit dealer lots a little earlier in 2024 and I had been watching them. So in 3 weeks it will have been a year since I got my 2024 Kia EV 9 Light Long Range.
I really enjoy driving it. It's nearly the same size as my 2017 GMC Yukon. I think the Kia has more interior room. It definitely has more rear leg room for the 2nd and 3rd row. It's not the fastest EV out there, but it has plenty of power for normal day to day driving. Made several trips to the lake house this summer. That's usually my longest regular trip. Its 198 miles round trip and the EV9 does that easily even driving 85-90mph on the interstate. Usually charge up to 100% the night before and get back with 20-25% remaining depending on how fast I drive. It was raining and I drove closer to 75mph a few weeks ago and got back with 26%, but was at 20% last week after driving 90mph on a sunny 90F day. Overall I average 2.6m/kWh. Feature wise it's a step up from my 2017 GMC Yukon , which is a nice vehicle but I really hate having to drive it much anymore. The Emporia EVSE in my garage knows my electric rate and logs all the charging. It's been costing me an avg of $20 a month to drive 700-800 miles a month. Less for the year than what it cost me just to change the oil and service the Yukon a couple of weeks ago.
I wouldn't want to go back to a combustion vehicle. The driving experience is just so much better with the EV.
Picture is from the day I picked it up the first week of Nov 2024.
