The future of Australian family motoring has arrived! Congratulations to the winner of Drive Car of the Year 2024, the Kia EV9 Air.
What we love
- Hugely practical interior for families
- Fast-charging capabilities plus frugal energy use
- Extensive safety and tech as standard
What we don’t
- Price point leaves it out of reach of many families
- Missing a spare wheel (of any kind)
- Some scratchy plastics on the inside don't bode well for long-term use
The Kia EV9 Air is the first electric vehicle to win the coveted Drive Car of the Year award in the 18-year history of the program.
This year, like no other before it, has firmly cemented electrification in its various forms as a key discussion point for buyers looking to make a new car purchase decision. In fact, of our 18 finalists, 12 have a model in the range that offers some form of electric power. Possibly more telling is that every one of the six Drive Car of the Year overall finalists includes electrification of some kind in their range.
We know that family buyers are looking for ever-more functionality and technology from their new cars, and that households are increasingly interested in the lower running costs that new-energy vehicles offer. To see both of these narratives combine into one vehicle makes the Kia EV9 a very worthy winner and a timely example of what the future of Australian family motoring will look like.
This fully-electric, seven-seat, family-oriented SUV draws a line in the sand between what was and what can be.
True, not everyone is ready to move to electric and nor is every family shopping in the EV9’s price bracket, but even if you aren’t ready for what the EV9 offers today, it’s worth taking a look at the car as it sets the tone for what to expect from the modern family car of tomorrow.
The Kia EV9 presents the future that families are looking for – it remains highly functional and practical as a seven seat SUV, but offers cutting edge electrification for silent, clean and cost effective long term ownership.
As an electric car, the EV9 Air offers a 76kWh battery with 160kW/350Nm output that provides up to 443km of range. The class-leading E-GMP electric platform utilises the long wheelbase for battery positioning and the EV9 has the capability to charge from 10-80 per cent in around 20 minutes on a 350kW charger.
It features the convenience of Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality to power external devices and drivers can adjust the amount of energy regeneration, including a one-pedal drive function, while on the move.
As a family car too, the EV9 packs a full suite of driver assistance and safety technology including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and curtain airbags for all three rows.
The driver and front passenger score heated and ventilated seats, there are six USB ports to keep family devices charged while on the go, plus a stagging 13 cup holders should anyone feel thirsty enough to be double or even triple parked.
That the car was designed to be used by families who are looking for a modern motoring edge is what makes the EV9 a particular standout.
Whether you are shopping for an EV or family SUV, there are simply no compromises.
As we noted, we know that not every buyer is ready for electric, and that not every family is shopping at this price point – but the EV9 is worth the attention of every new car buyer for what it brings to the market and for the potential it shows for what will come next.
It clearly moves the game forward for Australian new car buyers and in many ways, this is the car that will set the tone for the next generation of Australian family cars, making it a true game changer for our roads.
Congratulations to the Kia EV9. The 2024 Drive Car of the Year!
18 Years of Drive Car of the Year Winners
