Kia’s large electric vehicle, the EV9, has been crowned Best Electric Vehicle of 2025 by Cars.com. This model is poised to significantly impact the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market this year.
Cars.com announced on Thursday that it named the EV9 the Best Electric Vehicle of 2025 after approximately a year of road testing. The EV9 outperformed a competitive field of nine finalists, including the Lucid Air, BMW i5, Ford F-150 Lightning, Genesis Electrified GV70, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
Cars.com’s annual Best Electric Vehicle awards span various EV categories. Vehicles are evaluated based on quality, innovation, and value.
Impressive Features and Innovation
The EV9 earned praise for embodying the key attributes expected of an electric SUV. Its spacious interior, impressive range, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) were particularly commended. The EV9’s cabin space drew favorable comparisons to competitors like the Range Rover Velar P400, with the Kia measuring 197.2 inches in length compared to the Velar’s 189.8 inches.
Another standout feature of the EV9 is its long-range capability. The rear-wheel-drive long-range variant, equipped with a 99.8 kWh battery, boasts an EPA-estimated range of 304 miles (489 kilometers). Additionally, integrating cutting-edge software and ADAS technology significantly enhances the user experience.
Competitive Pricing and Versatility
Cars.com lauded the EV9 as an impressive all-rounder, citing its comfortable ride, practical interior, intuitive controls, and spacious second and third rows. The publication also highlighted the EV9’s competitive pricing. Noting that, unlike other premium three-row EVs, it offers advanced features with a starting price of just $56,000.
Steven Center, Chief Operating Officer of Kia America, expressed pride in the EV9’s recognition as Cars.com’s 2025 Best Electric Vehicle.
Kia’s Strategy for Growth in the EV Market
Kia aims to leverage the EV9 to boost its electric vehicle market share in the U.S. While EV sales currently trail those of internal combustion and hybrid vehicles, the automaker plans to bolster EV9 sales through various incentives and support programs. This strategy strengthens Kia’s position in the growing electric vehicle market. The company will also provide North American Charging Standard (NACS) adapters to EV9 buyers, enhancing charging convenience.
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