Kia EV9 - Interior, design and technology

What is the Kia EV9 like inside?

The wide, low dash gives the cabin a very contemporary look, while the chunky, square steering wheel spokes and the physical toggles for the climate controls manage to look modern, yet remain intuitive to use. 

You might be confused by the starter button’s position on the column-mounted gear selector stalk at first, but it makes perfect sense to put it there once you’ve found it.

Although the cabin is loaded with tech, not all of it is perfect. One irritation is the climate-control touch panel. This sits between the two 12.3-inch displays on the dash, but is almost completely obscured by the steering wheel from the driver’s seat. Fortunately, the row of physical toggle switches provide easy interior temperature adjustment. It’s a welcome addition that many rivals could learn from as they opt to embed such controls in the infotainment system menus to save costs.We’re not so blown away by the touch-sensitive panel beneath the infotainment screen; it’s needed for jumping around between key functions on the system, but it requires a surprisingly hefty prod to register an input..

Adding to the display count is the electric rear-view mirror, which is standard on every model. For those who would rather use a conventional mirror, it can be switched off.

What is the interior quality like?

Kia’s fit and finish improves with every generation of cars it releases. While it’s more than good enough to compete with the best mainstream offerings, it’s still not quite on a level with the premium brands yet. While everything feels fairly well screwed together, the materials in something like a Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90 feel plusher, and the switchgear feels more sturdy.

The buttons for heated and ventilated seats, plus the heated steering wheel, are on the door. Initially, it’s a little odd, but you’ll get used to it. What’s actually annoying is the heated seats switch on to the coolest setting first. We think that’s counterintuitive because you put heated seats on due to being cold, so that becomes a needless three-button pressing faff every time you wish to turn them on to full power.

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Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment 

The EV9 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation, which comes with seven years of free  Kia Connect Services. As ever with Kia, the infotainment system keeps things simple; it’s not the fanciest to look at, but it’s clearly laid out and intuitive to use. However, while that’s absolutely fine at the mainstream end of the market, the tech does begin to feel a little less impressive at this price point. 

Whether you choose a Volvo, Mercedes or Land Rover, each has a screen that’s more responsive and has a higher resolution. Kia’s touch-sensitive shortcuts sit on a panel below the screen to make the system easy to work out.

Wireless phone charging comes as standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and  an eight-speaker sound system. The richer-sounding 14-speaker Meridian premium sound system comes with the top-of-the-range GT-Line S trim and a head-up display system that projects important driving information – such as the speed you’re going – onto the windscreen within your line of sight.