You’ve seen the commercials. The glowing lights, the "Star Map" patterns, and the silent glide of a car that looks like it was stolen from a Ridley Scott movie set. Honestly, it’s easy to dismiss the current hype as just another brand trying to pivot away from gas. But if you actually sit in a kia all electric suv in 2026, you realize the game has shifted. This isn't just about saving the planet or skipping the Exxon station. It's about the fact that Kia is currently out-engineering brands that cost twice as much.
People still think Kia is the "budget" choice. That is a massive mistake.
While everyone was looking at Tesla, Kia quietly built an 800-volt architecture that makes most other EVs look like they’re running on AA batteries. We’re talking about the ability to add nearly 70 miles of range in about five minutes. If you’ve ever sat at a "fast" charger for 45 minutes while your kids had a meltdown in the backseat, you know that five minutes is a literal life-saver.
Why the EV9 is the Real Benchmark
Let’s talk about the big one. The EV9. It’s a beast.
Most three-row electric SUVs are either cramped like a budget airline seat or cost $100,000. Kia somehow threaded the needle. It’s huge—over 197 inches long—but it doesn’t drive like a school bus.
If you go for the GT-Line, you’re looking at 379 horsepower. That’s enough to hit 60 mph in 5 seconds flat. For a vehicle that weighs over 5,800 lbs, that’s just physics-defying. But the real magic isn’t the speed. It’s the swivel seats. In the six-passenger configuration, you can literally turn the second-row seats around to face the third row. It turns the back of the car into a mobile lounge.
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| Feature | EV9 GT-Line Stats |
|---|---|
| Battery | 99.8 kWh |
| Range | ~270-304 miles |
| Towing | 5,000 lbs |
| DC Fast Charge | 10% to 80% in 24 mins |
Kinda wild, right? But it isn't perfect. Real-world testing, like the data coming out of the State of Charge analysis, shows that if you’re doing 75 mph on a cold highway, that 304-mile range can drop closer to 240. It’s just the reality of pushing a giant box through the air. Wind resistance is a jerk.
The Under-the-Radar Updates for 2026
For 2026, the EV6—the sportier, lower-slung sibling—got a major mid-cycle refresh. They finally ditched the 77.4 kWh battery for a beefier 84 kWh unit.
Why does that matter? It means the base Air RWD model now pushes past 360 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. Even in the more conservative US EPA ratings, we're seeing a significant jump. They also fixed the one thing everyone complained about: the software. The new "ccNC" infotainment system is actually snappy. No more laggy maps. Plus, they finally made wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the board. About time.
Small But Mighty: The Arrival of the EV3
If the EV9 is too big and the EV6 is too "spaceshipy," the EV3 is where things get interesting for the average person.
This is the kia all electric suv that’s meant to kill the gas car. It’s roughly the size of a Kia Soul but looks like a shrunken EV9. Kia is aiming for a $35,000 starting price.
- Battery Options: You get a 58.3 kWh or a long-range 81.4 kWh pack.
- The "V2L" Factor: Like its bigger brothers, it has Vehicle-to-Load. You can plug a coffee maker or a laptop into the car and run it off the main battery.
- The Catch: To keep the price low, the EV3 uses a 400-volt system instead of the 800-volt one. It’ll take about 31 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. Still decent, but not the "blink and you're done" speed of the EV9.
Honestly, the interior of the EV3 is better than some luxury cars. It uses recycled PET plastics and "biomaterials," but it doesn't feel cheap. There’s a sliding table in the center console. If you’re waiting for a charge, you can actually set up a laptop and get work done comfortably. It’s thoughtful design that most manufacturers just ignore.
What Nobody Tells You About the E-GMP Platform
Everything Kia is doing right now sits on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform).
This is the secret sauce.
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Because it’s a dedicated electric platform, there’s no "hump" in the floor for a transmission. The wheels are pushed way out to the corners. This gives you way more interior room than a gas SUV of the same size. A mid-sized EV5 (which is rolling out in global markets now) has more legroom than many full-sized gas SUVs.
But there are limitations to acknowledge. Kia's aggressive styling—all those sharp angles and "Star Map" LEDs—is a love-it-or-hate-it situation. Some people think it looks like a toy. Also, while the 800V charging is amazing, you have to find a 350kW charger to actually use that speed. If you’re stuck at a 50kW grocery store charger, you’re still going to be there for an hour.
Is It Actually Better Than a Tesla?
This is the question everyone asks.
Tesla has the Supercharger network. That’s their "moat." But Kia has joined the NACS (Tesla plug) standard, so that advantage is evaporating. When it comes to build quality, Kia is winning. The doors thud. The panels line up. The interior doesn't feel like it was assembled in a tent.
Also, Kia still gives you buttons.
If you want to adjust the volume or the AC, you don't have to dive into three sub-menus on a touchscreen while driving 70 mph. It sounds like a small thing until you’re actually using the car every day.
Actionable Steps for Potential Buyers
If you're looking at a kia all electric suv, don't just look at the MSRP.
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- Check the Battery Pre-conditioning: If you live in a cold climate, make sure the model you pick has a heat pump. It makes a massive difference in winter range.
- Test the Third Row: If you’re eyeing the EV9 for a family, actually climb into the back. It’s the only electric SUV in its price bracket where an adult can sit in the third row without their knees hitting their chin.
- Verify Charger Availability: Download the PlugShare app. See if there are 350kW chargers on your common routes. If you only have 50kW or 150kW chargers nearby, you won't get the full benefit of Kia's fast-charging tech.
- Look for Incentives: In 2026, Kia is still being aggressive with lease deals. Often, the $7,500 federal credit is baked into the lease even if the car doesn't qualify for the purchase credit due to manufacturing locations.
Kia has transitioned from being the "cheap alternative" to being the "tech leader." Whether it's the massive EV9 or the upcoming, affordable EV3, they are currently the ones to beat. The only real question left is whether you can handle the futuristic looks in your driveway every morning.