With the Kia EV9, the Korean company is knocking directly on the gate of the "premium" segment. This will be the car that moves Kia into the premium market and allows it to compete with the biggest names in the automotive world, primarily with the likes of Lexus or Audi. It is really very strange that a good decade ago Kia cars were not even considered mid-range, but budget segment cars. Any Japanese brand was considered head and shoulders above the Koreans. However, in the long run, such models as Kia Optima, Kia Sportage, Kia Niro, the powerful Kia Stinger and the company's first electric car Kia EV6 raised the image of this company step by step in the eyes of buyers and now we have a brand with extremely attractive, luxurious and advanced cars. Thus, the new large crossover Kia EV9 is an impressive-looking car that fascinates with square shapes and futuristic details. A flat hood, vertical elongated cornering lights, retractable door handles, trapezoidal wheel arches, 21-inch rims, rear view cameras instead of mirrors and an interesting line of side windows - everything is extremely aesthetic and beautifully coordinated. Perhaps the angular car will not be to everyone's taste, but it is definitely modern, interesting and distinctive. Quality is the best we've seen from a Kia, although it's been spotty so far. Interior materials, assembly quality standards are excellent. The Kia EV9 will be able to compete even with Land Rovers in terms of looks, and you don't get a seven-year warranty with a Land Rover. The horizontally stretched instrument panel, doors and center console use fabric that adds warmth to the interior. The accent, of course, is the triple LCD screen, below the elegant air vent, and even below the convenient physical buttons for climate control. The widescreen display has two 12.3-inch panels, one for the driver and one for the infotainment system, separated by a small 5.3-inch touchscreen for climate control information. All screens are combined into one integrated device. In the car, a lot of attention was paid to the arrangement of storage compartments. Although the door cavities are not very large, the main storage compartment is large and opens with a push instead of being dropped on your lap. The large center console is very cleverly designed with fold-out cup holders, wireless phone charging and a large pull-out compartment at the rear for second-row passengers. The car can be equipped with a driver's seat with a driver alert function, which will automatically move the seat if the car thinks the driver has fallen asleep. The flat floor of the electric car was put to good use, because in the six-seater version you can have two extremely comfortable seats in the second row (adjustable in all directions, heated and ventilated) that can be turned to the side of the doors and to the third row of seats. However, a second row of seats with a traditional continuous seat is optional. Passenger legroom is also extremely good, and can be adjusted by sliding the middle row of seats. This makes it quite comfortable for even an adult to sit in the third-row seats, although it takes a little more effort to get there. The boot volume is 333 liters when all seats are in use, and 828 liters when the rear row of seats are folded down. Under the front cover is a luggage compartment with an additional 90 liters of space or 52 liters if the all-wheel drive system is installed. On the road, the car is quiet, even very quiet, thanks in part to the laminated side windows. However, even on the highway, there is only a slight amount of tire, road and wind noise. You're more likely to hear the fan in the ventilated seats than something from outside. The Kia EV9 is available in two- or four-wheel drive versions with engines ranging from 201 hp to 380 hp. Torque is 350 Nm for two-wheel drive versions and 600 Nm for all-wheel drive versions. A power boost package will be available which gives the more powerful engine variant an instant torque boost of 100Nm. This most powerful version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds, while the weakest 201 hp two-wheel drive version accelerates in 9.4 seconds.