Kia EV9 racks up awards in North America and Europe, proving its strength in the electric SUV segment

[Financial News] Kia Corporation announced on the 31st that its flagship electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Kia EV9, has recently secured top honors in comparison tests by a leading German outlet, as well as major automotive awards and top safety ratings in North America and Europe.
The high-performance Kia EV9 GT scored a total of 583 points in an electric vehicle comparison test conducted by Germany’s influential automotive magazine Auto Bild. It beat Volvo Cars’ flagship electric model, the Volvo EX90, which scored 565 points, taking first place by an 18-point margin.
The Kia EV9 was also named "Canada’s Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year" at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow held recently in Toronto, Canada. In the 2026 What Car? Awards organized by UK automotive magazine What Car?, it was selected as the "Best Seven-Seat Electric SUV."
In the United States, the Kia EV9 was chosen as the top model in the "Midsize Electric SUV" category in Car and Driver’s 2026 Editors’ Choice Awards. It went on to sweep Cars.com’s "2026 Best of the Year" and "2026 Top Pick for Electric Vehicles" honors as well. On top of that, it captured titles in Kelley Blue Book’s 2026 Best Buy Awards and U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Cars for the Money, earning widespread praise from major North American media.
The Kia EV9 has also been recognized for its outstanding safety. In the 2025 crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States, it received the highest rating, TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+). It also earned the maximum five-star rating from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).
A Kia Corporation representative said, "The Kia EV9 is receiving global recognition in every area a vehicle should excel in, from high-performance driving feel to practicality and safety." The representative added, "Building on innovative technology and differentiated product value, we will continue to uphold the status of the Kia EV9 as a flagship SUV leading the global electric vehicle market."
eastcold@fnnews.com Kim Dong-chan Reporter