Kia's Electric EV9 SUV Wins Top North American Award

A family-sized electric SUV that doesn't break the bank just earned one of the auto industry's most prestigious honors.

The Kia EV9, a spacious three-row electric SUV, was named 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by a jury of 50 automotive experts. The win signals a major shift in the vehicle market: electric options are becoming the norm, even for families who need serious space and capability.

Starting at $54,900, the EV9 travels up to 304 miles on a single charge. That's enough to handle the daily school run, weekend road trips, and everything in between without stopping at a charging station.

But the EV9 isn't just about going electric. It hauls like a traditional SUV, towing up to 5,000 pounds and offering nearly 82 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down. With 7.8 inches of ground clearance, it handles rough roads just like gas-powered competitors.

The judges evaluated everything from safety features to driver satisfaction to overall value. They tested vehicles across every category, from sports cars to pickup trucks, before choosing the EV9 as the standout utility vehicle.

This marks the second consecutive year that Kia's electric vehicles have won major awards. The EV6 claimed the same honor last year, showing the company's electric lineup isn't a one-hit wonder.

Kia North America President Sean Yoon called the EV9 "a new paradigm" for three-row SUVs. For the second straight year, all three finalists in the category were either fully electric or included EV options, proving where the market is headed.

The Ripple Effect

The timing couldn't be better for American workers. Later this year, Kia plans to start building the EV9 at their West Point, Georgia manufacturing facility, creating jobs while making electric vehicles more accessible to American families.

The shift to electric family vehicles addresses two major concerns parents have voiced: climate impact and fuel costs. With no gas station visits and lower maintenance needs, the EV9 offers families a practical way to reduce both their carbon footprint and transportation expenses.

This is Kia's third North American Utility Vehicle of the Year win in just five years. That track record shows the company isn't just keeping pace with the electric revolution but helping lead it, making sustainable transportation work for real families with real needs.

The future of family road trips just got a whole lot greener.