Road Test: 2025 Kia EV9 Land AWD With GT-Line Package

Some vehicles are made for errands; some are made for speed. And then there’s the 2025 Kia EV9 Land AWD with the GT-Line Package in Snow White Pearl—a three-row electric SUV that looks like it came straight from a Scandinavian design lab, built to carry your family through urban jungles and windswept backroads with the quiet confidence of a polar bear in a spacesuit. It’s imposing. It’s futuristic and it’s surprisingly friendly.

This isn’t just a new model. It’s a new way of thinking about family transport. Simply put, the Kia EV9 is equal parts practical and magical.

Powertrain: Underneath that chiseled cladding and gleaming white armour lies a sophisticated dual-motor AWD system married to a 99.8 kWh battery. This configuration produces 379 horsepower and a sturdy 516 pound-feet of torque, which—despite the EV9’s sizeable presence—catapults it from 0-100 km/h in a mere 5.3 seconds.

More importantly for daily Canadian life, it has an estimated EV range of up to 451 km, though real-world range will depend on everything from how aggressively you use the heated steering wheel to whether you’re conquering a snowstorm or coasting down to Prince Edward County.

Fast charging? Oh yes. Plug into a 350 kW DC fast charger, and you can add 10–80% charge in about 24 minutes. That’s roughly the time it takes to grab a cappuccino and argue over whether to visit a cidery or a beach next.

Exterior Design: The GT-Line Package sharpens the already bold EV9 with exclusive touches: unique front and rear bumpers, 21-inch dark alloy wheels, digital LED lighting signatures that look like Morse code from the future, and side accents that add just enough flash to feel premium without veering into intergalactic limo territory.

It’s one of those vehicles that turns heads—not because it screams for attention, but because people genuinely want to know what is that thing? In this snowy white paint, it looks both pristine and purposeful. A minimalist spaceship with family seating.

Interior Design: Step inside and the spaceship vibes continue—but with warmth. The flat floor and expansive cabin space feel like an upscale Scandinavian lounge. There’s seating for six in our tester, thanks to second-row captain’s chairs that recline for a stress free drive, unless the kids in the 3rd row are rowdy and in need of extra attention.

Materials are eco-conscious without feeling like a hemp smoothie: faux leather seats, a felt-like headliner, and soft-touch surfaces make it inviting. There’s over 2,300 litres of cargo space with all the rear seats folded flat, so whether you’re camping or hitting Costco, you’re covered.

Creature comforts? You get heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting that can cycle through a soothing rainbow or pulse to your music. Add in tri-zone climate control, and everyone from grandpa in the back to the goldfish riding up front can travel in comfort.

Infotainment: Dominating the dash is a gently curved digital display that combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch central infotainment screen, and a 5-inch climate control panel. It’s intuitive once you spend five minutes poking around, and the haptic feedback buttons on the floating console are a neat party trick, if a bit touchy with winter gloves.

There’s full support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but no wireless option yet—a surprising omission given the otherwise Jetsons-grade tech. Kia’s new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit is fast and functional, and the Meridian Premium Sound System fills the cabin with symphonic grace whether you’re blasting The Tragically Hip or a calming podcast about mushroom foraging.

One feature that deserves applause: Remote Smart Parking Assist 2. You can literally step out of the car and use your key fob to let the EV9 park itself. It’s like summoning a butler from another dimension.

Driving Impressions: City driving in a full-size electric SUV might sound like trying to tango in ski boots, but the EV9 defies expectations. Visibility is excellent, and the regenerative braking—adjustable through paddle shifters—is smooth and predictable, letting you one-pedal your way through traffic with Zen-like grace.

On rural roads, it eats up pavement like a Labrador with peanut butter. The suspension tuning balances comfort with control, and while you won’t be flinging this into corners like a hot hatch, it’s composed and easygoing in a way that encourages long drives with no particular destination.

Whether you’re gliding through Toronto traffic or meandering along the Cabot Trail, the EV9 Land AWD feels purpose-built for the Canadian landscape.

Main Competitors: Welcome to the EV Jungle

• Tesla Model X Long Range: Faster, with longer range (up to 560 km), but with a much steeper price and a cabin that can feel austere.
• Rivian R1S: Adventure-focused and luxurious, though not yet officially available in volume across Canada.
• Volvo EX90: Elegant, safety-obsessed, and brand new to the scene—but starting well above $100K.

The EV9 carves out a unique niche: it’s stylish, highly usable, loaded with features, and relatively attainable by comparison.

Why Choose an EV Like This?

The 2025 Kia EV9 GT-Line isn’t just an electric alternative to a gas SUV—it’s better in many ways:

• Zero emissions means a cleaner conscience with every kilometre.
• Instant torque delivers silent thrills.
• Lower running costs, especially if you charge at home overnight.
• Future-ready tech means fewer regrets when you see what your neighbours are driving in 2027.

Conclusion: In a sea of crossovers and SUVs that play it safe, the 2025 Kia EV9 Land AWD with GT-Line Package is the bold kid who shows up wearing a Storm Troopers outfit and owns it. It’s practical, fun, smart, and filled with thoughtful details that make family life easier—and far more interesting.

Charging Up Across Canada – What EV9 Owners Need to Know

Home Charging Made Easy
The EV9 Land AWD supports Level 2 charging at up to 11 kW, meaning you can fully recharge at home in about 9–10 hours using a 240V charger—perfect for overnight top-ups in the garage or driveway.

DC Fast Charging
Using Canada’s growing DC fast-charging network, the EV9 can take on 10–80% in under 25 minutes thanks to its 800V architecture. Popular networks include:

• Petro-Canada EV Stations – Over 50 coast-to-coast locations.
• FLO & Electric Circuit (Quebec) – Reliable and expanding fast chargers.
• ChargePoint & Ivy (Ontario) – Found near malls, coffee shops, and highway rest stops.
• BC Hydro EV Stations – Free or low-cost fast chargers throughout B.C.

EV Trip Planning Tools
Kia’s onboard navigation includes charge station mapping, but also try:

• PlugShare: Community reviews and real-time charger status.
• ABRP (A Better Routeplanner): Great for road trips with elevation and weather factored in.

Hot Tip: Always check for charger compatibility and bring your ChargePoint and FLO cards—just in case you wander into uncharted territory with sketchy signal