2025 Kia EV9 Trim Guide: Pick the Perfect Model for Your Needs

When Kia was designing the EV9, they had one cardinal intention: To create a fairly priced mid-size SUV that would significantly upgrade their Telluride Model while competing effectively against other established EV automakers, such as Tesla. The price of the Kia EV9’s base trim is slightly above what you’d pay for its gas-powered Telluride mid-size SUV top model, and this is a testament to the superiority of the EV-9 in Kia’s vehicle lineup. While there’s no doubt that the EV9 is the most advanced Kia model, with an extensive array of features, its most important selling point is that it is more affordable than other mid-size EV SUVs without compromising its performance and aesthetics.

For context, the Tesla Model X's base AWD trim costs $81,630, while the 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV EQS450+ costs $106,400. These prices are way too high, considering that the 2025 Kia EV9 GT-line (the current top trim) starts from around $73,900. Therefore, it is a worthwhile consideration for those looking to purchase a three-row family car with an incredible powertrain, considerably decent range, and other spectacular features not found in vehicles of its price range.

And as the new year rolls out, there’s more excitement in store for Kia EV9 trims enthusiasts who could see the addition of a premier model above the erstwhile top cream GT-Line e-AWD. This new GT model will definitely come loaded with a host of new features and notably, even with it, Kia remains true to its affordable EV models principle given that the GT model is estimated to retail from $80,000, which is arguably still a fair price range.

So what is really unique about the Kia EV9 trims that make them worthy competitors to other highly rated mid-size SUVs? We’ll elaborate on it all below in this comprehensive 2025 Kia EV9 trim guide, but before delving into the details, let’s quickly check out the other notable EVs by the automaker. We’ll also discuss the EV9 trims and their respective specs to help you see if they fit in what you dream of in an EV. Let’s go!!!

Kia's EV Lineup

If there’s a car manufacturer that has deeply invested in electric vehicle technology, it's Kia, and this is outright evident in their extensive range of vehicles, ranging from all-electric models through the Plugin Hybrids to the purely hybrid brands. For a prospective car owner, this could spell confusion as you try to tell out which of the types would best suit you, but worry not—we’ll enlighten you on the details.

1. An all-electric hybrid runs purely on a battery and thus requires you to replenish your charge at a charging station regularly. Kia offers models like the EV6, EV9, and the Niro EV for the all-electric category, and notably, all these cars come with a pretty decent driving range.

2. Secondly, we have the plugin hybrid, which runs on battery while at the same time using fuel and requires you to charge it at the booth when the batteries run low. The upside to Kia’s Plug-in hybrids is that they provide flexibility, especially when you’re driving for long trips, flipping between gas and battery power as you drive. Here you have models such as the Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, the Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid, and the Kia Niro Plugin Hybrid.

3. Finally, Kia also has a Hybrid lineup whose upside is that they have the most extended driving range of all Kia cars. Notably, these don’t require battery charge replenishing at a charging station thanks to their regenerative braking technology, which adds charge to the car anytime you brake. They include the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Kia Carnival MPV Hybrid, Kia Sorento Hybrid, and the Kia Niro.

Kia EV9 Trims Specs

Kia EV9 enthusiasts are blessed when it comes to the range of options available, as they can choose from five different trims, each type laden with unique features. Before we delve deep into the details, let's first highlight the basics.

The first two trims are the Light RWD and Long Range RWD, meaning that they come standard with rear-wheel drive, while the rest are the Wind AWD, Land AWD and the GT-Line AWD. The downside to the EV9’s lowest trim, the Light RWD, is that it has a significantly low range per charge rating at 230 miles, but this is undoubtedly a feature you can overlook considering that this model is cheaply retailed from $54,900, a pretty fair price for an SUV of its properties.

But what are some of the other remarkable features you should check out when choosing between the five EV9 trims? Let’s look at each of them in detail.

Kia EV9 Light RWD

Most cars come in hideous basic trims, and although the Light RWD is the lowest trim, it's a phenomenal purchase that undoubtedly trounces many mid-sized SUVs of its range. Its range is without a doubt a concern for many buyers, but it's phenomenally built with a seven-passenger sitting capacity and a range of convenience features that you never expect in a base trim such as smart keys, a smart puc button, Heated, Power-Adjustable Side View Mirrors w/ LED Turn Signals, a 12.3-inch Touchscreen Display and navigation system doubling up as an Instrument Display platform and many other features that you’ll find in the superior trims.

Its 19-inch Alloy Wheels, Black with a Machined Finish, are a feature you’ll realize at a glance, and this is key in ensuring that the vehicle is stable enough to ride through a range of terrains that include all weather climates and rugged environments. Together with the Light Long Range RWD, it has a ground clearance of 7.0 inches, and although this is the lowest in all the trims, it's still sufficient to ensure that your car doesn’t scrap the ground while driving.

How about its performance? Being a base trim, it does zero to 60mph in around 7.7 seconds which is quite commendable and actually outshines the Light Long Range trim that takes around 8.8 seconds to hit that top speed. Charging it is also a breeze, taking only six hours to fill up its 76.1-kWh battery, although this is the smallest battery in the series. Its range is rated at 230 miles which is quite incredible for a base model. Also noteworthy is that when ordering this car, you can either have it as a six or seven-passenger option depending on the type of seats that you choose(either bench seats or captain chairs).

Its second-row chairs are also superbly comfortable, and you can barely tell the difference from the front-row seats, as they share similar features, such as synthetic leather material with excellent ventilation and heating. Finally, if you settle for the Light model, you can select from three main colors: Snow White Pearl, Pebble Grey and Aurora Black Pearl.

Kia EV9 Light Long Range RWD

As you can pick from its name, this is the go-to car if you’re looking for a low-budget midsized SUV that can clock massive distances, and it's pretty efficient thanks to its City/Highway/Combined MPG of (100/78/89). It can hit up to 304 miles on a full charge and comes with all the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems that you’d find in the base Light trim and the other models, such as:

Blind Spot Collision Warning

Forward collision warning
Bling Spot Collision Avoidance Assist
Lane Keeping Assist

All these features are available in this trim, among a plethora of others you’d expect in modern-day EVs. Its 99.8 kWh battery also has the capacity to hold more charge than the light version, and this is obvious in a model designed to provide a maximum range in the entire EV9 series it charges pretty fast, taking 24 minutes to fill up in a DC fast charger. Also, like the Light model, it has the regenerative braking feature, which is handy in filling up its charge, although it lacks the deluxe range-preserving heat pump system that is a feature in the upper trims.

In addition, like the Light base trim, its towing capacity is limited to 2,000 pounds. This model offers all the features and color options standard on the Light trim, although its powertrain is rated at 201hp, a slight drop from the Light’s rating of 215hp.

Kia EV9 Wind e-AWD

If you’re looking for a balance of all the features of the 2025 Kia EV9 Trims, the Wind is without a doubt the go-to trim. Its primary feature over the rest of the erstwhile covered trims is that it comes in the all-wheel drive format and has a phenomenal powertrain of 379hp which is a significant upgrade on the other options.

It also comes in different colors from the Light and the Light Long Range, and this is primarily aimed at differentiating it from these lower trims. The color options for the Wind include Ocean Blue and Glacier White Pearl for those who are looking for brilliant hues, while there are also others like Panthera Metal and Ebony Black. When choosing the interior of this trim, you also deviate from the monotonous Black & Dark Gray SynTex Seat Trim colors of the former two options. You can choose from either the Black & Dark Gray Embossed Dot SynTex Seat Trim and the Dark Gray & Light Gray Embossed Dot SynTex Seat Trim.

It also covers quite some range despite the phenomenal power making up to 280 miles on a full charge, and it is also quite efficient given its EPA MPGe ratings of 91/75/83 for City/Highway and Combined. Also notable is that it comes with all the safety features you find in the light and the Light Long Range trims, and unlike the latter, it can seat up to seven passengers. It also has the 19-inch wheels that you’d find in the lower trims, although it's a worthwhile investment if you’re seeking an improved ground clearance (7.8 inches) from the lower models.

Kia EV9 Land AWD

It's a significantly improved trim from the WInd model, although it's available in the same exterior color options. One area where there’s a significant difference is in the interior, where you are spoilt for choice with an extensive range of unique color designs, from Black & Dark Gray Quilted Stripes SynTex through Dark Gray & Light Gray Quilted Stripes SynTex to Black & Brown Quilted Stripes SynTex Seat Trims.

The Land trim shares a range with the Wind trim, and this is primarily because they have similar battery capacities at 99.8 kWh. Unlike the other lower trims, it has a blind spot monitor feature, which is only available in this model and the premier GT-Line AWD. Like the Light Long Range RWD, this is a six-passenger vehicle. However, unlike its compatriot, the Land trim has deluxe properties such as Power-Adjustable Side View Mirrors featuring LED turn signals and Reverse Tilt-Down Side View Mirrors.

This is also a significantly super fast car taking only 5.7 seconds to hit 60mph from zero, similar to the Wind version. Given its exclusive range of features, the Kia EV 9 Land trim retails from $69,900.

Kia EV9 GT-Line

Barring the anticipated GT model that is set to be launched this year, the GT-Line is the premier car in the EV9 series with a phenomenal zero to 60 mph rating of 5.0 seconds. The exterior color trims for this model are abnormally extensive, given that you can find it in all the previous options we covered for the previous cars, together with an additional ice green shade. Its interior is also standout with Light Gray & Black GT-Line SynTex or Black & Brown GT-Line SynTex Suede options, all unique to this trim.

Although it's a superfast car, Kia has done all the hard work to ensure that it's a dependable trim that can last up to 270 miles on a full charge. Its city/Highway/Combined EPA MPGe Estimates are slightly lower than those of the former models, at 88/72/80. Notably, this six-passenger seater car comes with all the superior properties of the Land model in addition to other exclusives such as:

Outside Side View Mirror & Head-Up Display (HUD)
Memory Driver's Seat Steering Wheel
GT-Line SynTex Seat Trim
Premium Cloth Headliner
Stainless Steel Trimmed Pedals
Stainless Steel Cargo Transverse Trim
Gloss Black Lower Window Surrounds

With a dual motor system, this EV9 trim makes up to 379hp and also comes with a Boost mode that boosts its power output and acceleration. Given its outstanding properties, it is currently the highest-priced model at $73,900, even though the anticipated 576hp GT model that will be launched later this year will undoubtedly cost more.

How to Choose the EV9 Trims?

When selecting your go-to trims from the aforementioned options, there are definitely a lot of considerations to check out, chief among them the price. So it’s obvious that if you’re on a low budget, then the Light RWD at $54,900 and the Light Long Range retailing from $59,900 will top your bucket list. Of the two, the latter is the best option because of its unique high range per charge.

However, our recommended overall option would be the Kia EV9 Wind because it strikes the balance between all the features. First, it's an AWD model, which means that it's built for all terrains, and its pricing at $63,900 is also worth the investment. However, we are not discouraging you from the premier Land and GT-Line trims, especially if you truly fancy the top-of-the-range features that we have covered above. And if none of these meet your expectations of the ideal midsize SUV, then there’s the GT trim to look forward to which is likely to be launched mid this year.

All in all, all that we can assert is that these Kia EV9 trims will be worth the investment, and if you’re a Kia fan or looking to own a high-end electric SUV, especially on a low budget, then these are your ideal go-to options.