The Kia EV9:
The World's Most Celebrated Car of the Year
Few would argue that the EV9 is the most attention-grabbing electric SUV in the world today. Boasting a spacious and innovative three-row layout, luxurious interior and exterior, powerful performance, and best-in-class safety standards, it’s no wonder the EV9 has captivated the world’s consumers, media, and industry organizations. Since its global debut as Kia’s flagship electric vehicle in March 2023, the EV9 has won no less than 48 awards for its performance, design, and safety (as of April 2024). Let’s take a deeper dive into the acclaim and recognition that validate the EV9’s potential to make big waves in today’s increasingly competitive global EV marketplace.
Dominating industry awards worldwide
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call the EV9 the undisputed 2024 Car of the Year. The EV9 was a finalist in all three major global automotive awards—the World Car Awards, the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year™ Awards, and the European Car of the Year Awards. Impressively, it was ultimately selected for two of these accolades across three categories.
Starting in the highly competitive U.S. market, the EV9 was named the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™. It then went on to score major achievements at the World Car Awards, often dubbed the ‘Oscars of the automotive industry,’ where it was named both the 2024 World Car of the Year and 2024 World Electric Vehicle. Furthermore, the EV9 secured a win in the luxury category at the 2024 German Car of the Year Awards and was named Large SUV of the Year by the Crystal Steering Wheel Trophy panel, Portugal's most prestigious automotive accolade jury.
The fact that the Kia EV9 has been named 'Car of the Year' in multiple countries and regions underscores the widespread recognition of its numerous product attributes. Notably, the 2024 World Car of the Year evaluation is based on eight crucial criteria: Occupant Environment, Performance, Value, Safety, Environmental Impact, Market Significance, Emotional Appeal, and Innovation. The EV9 received high praise not just for its superior quality but also for its positive impact on both the global market and consumers.
A masterpiece shaped by harmonious contrasts
The styling of the EV9 is a perfect representation of Kia’s innovative design philosophy, 'Opposites United,' which is rooted in the contrasts found in nature and humanity that combine to create rich emotional sensibility and serene harmony. Drawing inspiration from nature, the EV9’s futuristic design and alluring color choices perfectly exemplify 'Bold for Nature,' one of the five guiding principles of the Kia design philosophy. The vehicle’s striking contrast between its majestic, robust exterior and the gentle curves of the interior also reflects this ethos. This bold design approach has garnered significant recognition, securing prestigious distinctions such as the Good Design Award in the Transportation category and Gold award status by the iF Design Awards’ expert panel of judges.
Inside the EV9, the 'Technology for Life' design philosophy pillar truly does come to life. The standout feature is Kia's infotainment system, displayed on an impressive 12.3-inch panoramic screen with a unified, user-friendly, and aesthetic UI. The EV9’s infotainment system has also garnered a series of prestigious design awards on its own, including the Good Design Award in the Interactive Media category, the iF Design Award for User Interface Design, the Red Dot Design Award for UI/UX Design, and the German Design Awards’ Gold Interactive User Experience distinction.
When the EV9 design was first unveiled in 2023, Karim Habib, head of Kia global design, declared, “This new vehicle typology provides instinctive experiences and excellent comfort for not just the driver, but all occupants, through innovative use of space, technology, and design.” This commitment has been successfully realized and duly acknowledged through the many global design awards secured by the EV9.
A car that embraces diverse lifestyles
As a large electric SUV, the EV9 boasts a spacious three-row, seven-seater layout that offers unparalleled flexibility. Meanwhile, its advanced performance and safety across different environments enable a broader range of lifestyle activities. Whether for independent singles who relish camping and adventures or families in search of everyday safety and comfort, the EV9 is an ideal match for all. Again, EV9’s numerous global awards are a testament to its ability to flexibly adapt to diverse customer needs.
The perfect family car for large families
The EV9 has emerged as a leader in the family car category, garnering accolades such as the Golden Steering Wheel award for family cars from Auto Bild in Germany, the Family Car of the Year from the 2023 TopGear.com Awards, and the Best Family Car award from Mujer Hoy in Spain. The jury of the Golden Steering Wheel affectionately described the EV9 as “the car you would want to marry.” They also highly praised the EV9’s interior for its incredible flexibility and capacity, noting how many people and how much luggage it can accommodate.
An EV engineered for extreme environments
Following evaluation along the snowy coastal roads of Norrland in Sweden, the EV9 won the Stora Bilpris 2024 (Grand Car Prize 2024) organized by the motoring publication Teknikens Värld. In addition to its exceptional performance in harsh and cold environments, the Swedish jury praised the EV9 for its 800V ultra-fast charging system and stability during long-distance driving in snowy conditions.
Conversely, a test conducted in Death Valley, California by Newsweek demonstrated the EV9’s resilience in high-temperature desert environments. Even while towing a heavy trailer over long distances and under maximum battery stress, the vehicle ensured a comfortable and safe driving experience.
These expert evaluations in various extreme environmental conditions only serve to underscore the extensive range of possibilities the EV9 has to offer.
Peace of mind protection for all occupants
So far, the EV9 has earned the highest safety rating of five stars from the European New Car Assessment Program, Euro NCAP, after being subjected to a comprehensive range of evaluations, including multi-angle collision tests, driver and pedestrian safety tests, and child occupant safety tests.
Such strong endorsements of safety for all occupants—adults and children alike—are expected to continue as safety evaluation results are announced in other regions of the world, thereby further establishing the EV9 as a dependable, enjoyable, and safe family car in any situation.
The recognition and acclaim for the EV9 don’t stop here. Not only was it voted the 2024 Women’s World Car of the Year by a panel of 52 national female expert judges, but it also secured the Fleet Car of the Year distinction in the SUV/Crossover category through a reader poll conducted by Firmenwagen, an Austrian corporate fleet publication. Irrespective of use purpose, region, or gender, such varied recognition further shines the spotlight on Kia's dedication to providing superior experiences and exceptional value to all consumers.
The EV9 is Kia’s second dedicated electric vehicle model, fast on the heels of the popular EV6, and perfectly captures the brand’s vision to provide inspiring mobility with innovative spaces and enriched experiences. With global market introduction still in the nascent stage, the future upward trajectory and continued achievements of the EV9 are eagerly awaited.