In 2020, the Kia Telluride was the biggest SUV in the company’s lineup and was rapidly ascending to the title of most awarded SUV in history. The Telluride has been celebrating its success ever since taking home the “Triple Crown” of the Automotive Awards, which includes NACTOY 2020, Car Driver 10 Best, and MotorTrend SUV of the Year. Most likely the source of inspiration for the boxy, award-winning Kia EV9 all-electric SUV, this energy still wins. The Midwest Automotive Media Association (Mama) presented the 2024 Favorite Plug-In Vehicle Award to the Kia EV9.
The automaker’s first all-electric car without a gasoline predecessor, the Kia EV6, was a big success, and now the Kia EV9 is the company’s new flagship. Because of the exceptional performance of the 2024 Kia EV9 SUV, which is powered by a standard 76.1 kWh battery and capable of producing 215 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, MAMA selected the Kia EV9 as its Favorite Plug-in Vehicle Award recipient. The power output is different across the lineup and is available in several trims. The Kia EV9, which features the new pattern for Kia battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) incorporating Star Map Lighting in the front fascia and vertical headlights, is boxy yet sleek. It was designed using the Kia “Opposites United” philosophy. Additionally, the inside is more computerized than previously.
24 inches of digital screens welcome customers as soon as they step into the Kia EV9; the basic configuration for the 2024 Kia EV9 includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display. Customers can get the Kia EV9 GT-Line, which has an additional 12-inch heads-up display and 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Kia Connect and smart-touch haptic controls are standard across the whole lineup. Kia Connect on the EV9 will soon be able to offer the download and installation of apps for more customized settings through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Safety is an important consideration. An important selling factor for Kia vehicles, the carmaker has been yearly improving its array of safety features. Just review the extensive list of commonplace sophisticated safety features: blind-spot collision warning, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, forward collision warning, forward collision avoidance assist (with pedestrian, cyclist, junction turning and detection, oncoming lane change and side & evasive steering detection), rear cross-traffic alert collision avoidance-assist, parking distance warning for the front and rear, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane following assist 2, navigation-based smart cruise control with stop & go plus curve, smart cruise control with stop & go, highway driving assist 2, intelligent speed limit, a driver attention warning, and safe exit assist. The Kia EV9 Land and GT grades include even more sophisticated features, like a surround view monitor with 3D view, parking collision avoidance assistance in reverse, blind-spot view monitor, and side parking distance warning.
“The three-row EV9 builds upon all of the strengths of the gas-powered Telluride: striking styling, an upscale and roomy interior, premium on-road dynamics, and of course a generous mix of the brand’s latest and greatest technology…As the industry pivots towards EVs, it’s important consumers have approachable, capable, and impressive products to choose from, and MAMA’s attentive nationwide membership of journalists, analysts, and other media professionals clearly recognized that when crowning the EV9 as its Favorite Plug-In Vehicle.” – Robert Duffer, President, MAMA
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Terry is an avid Nascar fan who grew up attending races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, just down the road from his hometown of China Grove, NC. Terry currently resides in Wellington and has been writing for 15 years. He also enjoys watching the Road Runner Looney Tunes cartoon with his two sons in his spare time.