Verdict
The charging network doesn’t make life easy for electric tow car drivers. But if you are ready to make the switch, the EV9 is the best EV for towing we’ve driven so far.
Pros
- Comfortable drive, good acceleration, stable at towing
Cons
- Usual range issues when towing with an electric car
The Kia EV9 is the new all-electric flagship from the brand. It’s bigger, heavier and more expensive than the Kia Sorento, with room inside for seven. All models bar the entry-level version are four-wheel drive, with powerful electric motors for the front and rear wheels.
We’ve been testing the Kia GT-Line model, which is priced at £73,275.
What are we looking for in the Kia EV9?
We want to find out how well the Kia tows. Just as importantly, we need to know how far it can tow between charges – should it be in discussion for the best tow car for a 2000kg caravan?
Towing ability of the Kia EV9 GT-Line
There’s a bit more to the best tow cars than a high kerbweight and plenty of power, but any vehicle with both of those advantages is certainly off to a good start.
The EV9 is one of the heaviest cars I’ve ever tested, with a kerbweight of 2648kg, and it has 378bhp and 516lb ft of torque.Those sort of numbers make for quick and confident towing.
I borrowed a Bailey Discovery D4/4 from our colleagues at The Camping and Caravanning Club. Weighing just 1102kg, it barely seemed to slow the Kia at all.
Having also towed a much heavier Adria Adora Tiber, weighing 1900kg, with the Kia, we can report that the EV9 still has plenty of performance when hitched up to a much heavier caravan. The vehicle is soon up to speed on motorway slip roads, and there’s punch in reserve for overtaking.
Of course, stability is far more important than speed, which is where weighing as much as two small hatchbacks really pays off. Even in breezy weather, the EV9 is unflustered and firmly in control, whatever weight of caravan it is towing.
If that wind is accompanied by rain, the Kia continues unfazed. Being four-wheel drive, the EV9 puts its power to the road cleanly. There’s no sign of wheelspin, even pulling away briskly on a 1-in-10 slope.
Unfortunately, the practical difficulties of towing a caravan with an electric car inevitably intrude. While towing the Adria, the EV9 achieved 1.2 miles per kWh. That’s a range of about 115 miles, based on an estimated usable battery capacity of 96kWh.
To put it another way, you’ll be stopping to recharge the batteries every two hours or so. At each stop, you’ll need to make the caravan secure while the car is plugged in, as there are only a few charging points where you can keep a caravan attached.
Warmer weather and a lighter caravan would improve the range, but the difficulty of recharging while towing will remain.
Solo driving the Kia EV9 GT-Line 378bhp AWD
The EV9 is large, but considering its size, it isn’t intimidating to drive. The turning circle is tight for such a big car, and it’s easy to drive smoothly. The 21-inch alloys fitted to GT Line spec models can clobber any sharp-edged bumps in the road, but otherwise, the EV9 rides very comfortably. The cabin is quiet, apart from a little wind and road noise as speeds increase.
On twisting country roads, it handles neatly, but the Kia does lean if the driver is too enthusiastic. It’s not as much fun to drive as a BMW iX, for example.
However, the vivid acceleration will put a smile on your face. Kia claims a 0-62mph time of just 5.3 seconds.
Space and practicality in the Kia EV9 GT-Line 378bhp AWD
The driver and front passenger have plenty of space to stretch out. The seats adjust electrically, as does the steering wheel.
The digital display and infotainment screen look good and are reasonably easy to use, although they don’t match the crisp definition and rich colours of the twin screens in the BMW iX.
The most often used air-con functions have physical buttons, although other controls on the air-con touchscreen are hidden behind the steering wheel. Add a pair of the best caravan towing mirrors and you’ll be all set.
Passengers in the middle row have lots of room, especially with the seats set back on their runners. The wide cabin and the flat floor mean three middle-row passengers will be almost as comfortable as two.
The third row is often cramped in cars seating seven, but the EV9’s can be used by adults without too much contortion.
All three rows have their own vents for chilled air, cupholders, and USB chargers.
There’s enough boot space for a weekly shop, even with all three rows upright. With the rear seats folded down, there’s plenty of room for holiday luggage.
Buying and owning a Kia EV9
If you’re thinking, “£73k is a lot for a Kia”, you’re not alone. That pitches the EV9 close to electric SUVs from the likes of Audi and Mercedes. But similarly priced electric cars from premium brands aren’t as roomy as the EV9, or they only provide five seats, rather than seven.
The high price is easier to understand when you read through the list of standard equipment. With an eight-speaker stereo, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, artificial leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats in the first two rows, and a whole lot more, GT-Line spec models are very generously kitted out.
There’s also a long list of safety features and driver aids that have contributed to a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.
The official range in solo driving is 313 miles, although expect considerably less in cold weather or if you make full use of the performance. The car is compatible with recharging at speeds of up to 210kW for a 10-80% recharge in 24 minutes.
Take a look at our guide to how to deal with towing emergencies to help you stay safe on the road.
Alternatives to a Kia EV9 GT-Line
The Nissan Ariya E-4orce Evolve offers quick, stable and comfortable towing, with inclement weather taken in the car’s stride. Alternatively, there’s the Genesis GV80, a seven seater car with excellent stability and a luxurious cabin.
Kia EV9 GT-Line 378bhp AWD specification
- Price: £73,275
- What Car? Target Price: £73,275
- Retained value after three years: 55%
- Kerbweight: 2648kg
- 85% of kerbweight: 2251kg
- Gross vehicle weight: 3240kg
- Max towing limit: 2500kg
- Gross train weight: 5740kg
- Towball limit: 125kg
- Price of towball and electrics: £990
- Boot size: 333-2318 litres
- Payload: 592kg
- Test conditions: Damp
- Battery size: 99.8kWh
- Power (hp): 378
- Torque (lb ft): 516
- Official range: 313 miles
- Towing range: 115 miles
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
- First year car tax: £0
- Second year car tax: £0
- Insurance group: 50E
- Euro NCAP rating: 5/5
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Technical Specifications
Kerbweight | 2648 kg |
85% KW | 2251 kg |
Towball Limit | 125 kg |
Maximum Towing Limit | 2500 kg |
Power | 378 bhp |
Torque | 516 lb ft |