Kia's 2024 EV9 stands as first mainstream 3-row EV

It may be time for Kia - or its Hyundai and Genesis siblings - to deliver a lousy vehicle. It's becoming a broken record to praise every new Kia for its sophisticated and often class-leading design, engineering and performance.

For EV fans, Kia's 2024 EV9 is poised to continue the brand's winning streak. As the first 3-row electric SUV from any mainstream brand, the EV9 driven at Kia's Mojave Desert proving grounds, for now, doesn't have a straight-up competitor. Instead, EV9 presents a compelling alternative to a luxury Rivian R1S or Tesla Model X, with a roomier third row than either, for vastly less money.