IRVINE, CA, January 4, 2024 – In a significant triumph for Kia, the all-electric EV9 3-row SUV has been honored as the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, as announced by the prestigious North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) organization. This accolade marks the third time in the past five years that a Kia vehicle has secured the top spot in this category, and it’s the second consecutive victory for one of Kia’s electric vehicles (EVs).
Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon, president and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America, expressed his excitement, stating, “The Kia EV9 ushers in a new era for the three-row SUV segment. The presence of EVs as finalists for the second year in a row not only shows the direction in which this segment is evolving but also underscores the EV9’s position as both a leading utility vehicle and an outstanding EV.”
The decision to award the EV9 came from a jury of 50 automotive experts, encompassing a diverse range of media professionals from print, online, radio, and broadcast platforms. The NACTOY jurors conducted thorough testing of various vehicles, from sports cars to pickup trucks, evaluating them on multiple fronts including innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, user experience, and overall value.
The Kia EV9’s victory follows the success of the Kia EV6, which won the same award last year. As the first mass-market three-row EV SUV in the U.S., the EV9 starts at an MSRP of $54,9002 and boasts an impressive EPA-estimated range of 304 miles with the Light Long Range RWD model. The 2024 Kia EV9, already on sale with limited availability, offers features like 7.8 inches of ground clearance, up to 81.9 cu.-ft. of cargo space, and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs. Additionally, plans are underway for the Kia EV9 to be assembled later this year at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, making it even more accessible to consumers across all 50 states.
