Kia EV9 News

Kia has revealed pricing for what is the Korean brand’s most expensive model yet.The EV9 GT will land in Australia imminently to take its place as the flagship of the EV9 range and Kia’s model line-up generally.Pricing for the big performance-honed electric SUV is set at $129,250, before on-road costs. Kia has not increased the pricing for any of the other model year 2026 EV9 grades.The EV9 range continues to kick off from $97,000 for the single-motor rear-wheel drive Air, rising to $106,500 for the dual-motor all-wheel drive Earth and $121,000 for the dual-motor AWD GT-Line.The new spicy GT grade costs $8250 more than the GT-Line. It is also nearly $10K more than the mechanically related Hyundai Ioniq 9 SUV ($119,750), although it gets more power and torque than that model.The EV9 pumps out a significant 374kW of power and 740Nm of torque, driving all four wheels. Top speed is set at 220km/h and the hulking SUV can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. An impressive feat for a 2600kg-plus vehicle.It is fitted with the same 99.8kWh battery in the other long-range EV9 grades and Kia says that makes for a driving range of 510km. It can accept a max charge rate of 350kW via a rapid DC fast charger.The EV9 comes standard with Electronic Controlled Suspension and Kia says the electric family hauler has benefited from a localised ride and handling tune to ensure it copes better with Australia’s average road conditions.Kia’s not confirmed spec just yet but some standard gear highlights include unique gloss black 21-inch alloy wheels, a digital LED grille featuring Kia’s ‘Star Map’ lighting, and a bespoke interior with second-row relaxation seats.There are still very few seven-seat fully-electric SUVs this size available in Australia, aside from the single-grade Hyundai Ioniq 9 or the Volvo EX90 (from $124,990). A number of Chinese brands are planning large electric or plug-in hybrid SUVs so expect this segment to grow.Kia is yet to detail what, if any changes there are for the other EV9 grades as part of the model year update.2026 Kia EV9 pricing before on-road costs 

The large SUV category (starting under $100K) in the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards brings together one of the most varied groups of models from the super modern, fully electric high-performance to the super capable, off-road beasts. But all have a family focus with practicality at an affordable price.Our shortlist saw entrants from Chery, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Polestar, Skoda, Toyota and Volkswagen.Now it’s time to announce our final top three, including the winner. First up are the two runners up in alphabetical order, then the category winner.Seven-seat upper-large SUVs aren’t unique but fully electric ones are and the Kia EV9 was not just the first of its kind to come to Australia, but it is also a truly outstanding car and that’s why it has easily made it into our top three.CarsGuide reviewers love how the EV9 provides all the practicality and space that an upper-large SUV should with an advanced electric architecture and a package that feels high quality and stylish.“I think it’s one of the cars of the decade,” said CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Byron Mathioudakis.“I still look at it and it stuns me and I just think it’s beautifully packaged … it’s a Range Rover for Kia money. Korea should be so proud of that car.” While the EV9’s futuristic looks were loved by the team, some thought the high price might put people off. The Toyota LandCruiser helped spark the world’s fascination with SUVs decades ago with its ability to take families on adventures to places regular cars had no hope of ever reaching. But while there’s a multitude of other SUVs out there now, the latest-gen LandCruiser 300 Series is still one of the very best, which is why it’s here on our top-three list.    CarsGuide News Editor Dom Tripolone said the LandCruiser 300 was one of the vehicles that did its job well: “It does what it says on the box. It’ll last a long time.”The team mentioned the good resale value of the LC300, its reputation for reliability and that its intended buyer who wants to go off-road or go anywhere will absolutely love it.Hyundai’s new-gen Santa Fe shocked many with its wildly different look to the previous model when it arrived in late 2024.But, while the design was polarising, CarsGuide reviewers couldn’t deny that this was an outstanding SUV in almost every other way.  “It genuinely achieves everything it sets out to do,” said CarsGuide Deputy News Editor Tom White. “I also love the design of it – it’s superb.”With a choice of hybrid and petrol powertrains in both front- and all-wheel drive, the Santa Fe is comfortable and easy to pilot in the city or on long haul trips. Available in six- and seven-seat formats, the Santa Fe caters impressively well for families with its practicality and space, plus with its extensive features list and affordable entry price represents excellent value for money.

Large SUVs are the big, spacious heroes of suburbia, favoured by families with more than a couple of kids and picked for their adventurous and sporty looks when probably a people mover would do.Of course, there are the large SUVs that aren’t just tough looking but incredibly capable off-road, too. Then there are those which are fully electric, and bring supercar acceleration to something that feels like the size of a small house.As part of our ongoing 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards, here are our top 10 large SUV model ranges from the sub-$100K category in alphabetical order and why they made the cut. Our top three, including the category winner, will be announced February 6.Chinese carmaker Chery brought its flagship Tiggo 9 seven-seater SUV to Australia in late 2025 and in one grade only - the Ultimate.CarsGuide reviewers found the Tiggo 9 to be outstanding value for money, but also standing out is its ‘Super Hybrid’ system which offers a large battery, fast charging and a long combined range with excellent fuel efficiency.Add to this a superbly comfortable ride and you can see why the Tiggo 9 has made our shortlist.  Hyundai’s Santa Fe quickly became an Aussie family favourite after it was launched here 25 years ago. Loved for being spacious and affordable, this large SUV became safer, better to drive and more refined over the years until we come to today’s fifth-generation model, which is the best yet.The Santa Fe is a three-row large SUV available in both petrol and petrol-hybrid powertrains. It has some fierce rivals in this large and affordable SUV segment, but CarsGuide reviewers loved the way it combines practicality and value for money with style and refinement that can withstand all the spills and rough treatment delivered by families.  So much kudos needs to go to Kia for launching its largest SUV ever - the EV9 - as an all-electric model only. A brave move that even made the EV9 unique in its segment as the first fully electric, seven-seat, upper-large SUV on the market.CarsGuide reviewers found the EV9 to be practical, superb to drive with outstanding levels of comfort and performance, and while it can be pricey there’s large fast charging batteries, with long ranges and vehicle-to-load power capability.Add to all this the futuristic chiselled looks and you have an SUV that’s bravely different, and beautifully fit for purpose.The Land Rover Defender is iconic. Famous for being the choice of transport for decades of hardcore adventurers to royalty and everyone in between, not many SUVs can combine prestige and off-road prowess like the Defender. The new Defender is a far more luxurious affair than the early Land Rover Series 1 from the 1940s that started the whole off-road SUV thing, but the blocky looks are still reminiscent of its agricultural ancestor.CarsGuide reviewers found the Defender to be comfortable and great to drive, with excellent practicality but fuel consumption can be high and towing capacity less than rivals.Available in a short- and long-wheelbase, with a choice of powerplants from supercharged V8s to hybrids the Defender is an exceptional go-anywhere luxury SUV.The Polestar 4 is a prestige electric coupe-style SUV that arrived in Australia in 2024, causing chins to wag due to its complete lack of rear window, and a digital review mirror.The rear window controversy was good publicity for the brand which arrived in Australia in 2022 with its Polestar 2 sedan but had seemingly gone off the boil with the arrival of a multitude of new Chinese electric SUVs.At 4.84m end to end, the Polestar 4 is about a finger’s length longer than the Tesla Model Y, but more expensive and would see its rivals as Audi’s Q6 e-tron Sportback and BMW iX3.  CarsGuide reviewers found the Polestar 4 to have an impressive driving range, excellent performance, great styling… but that lack of back window and the digital rear view mirror, not so great. The new-generation Skoda Kodiaq arrived in 2025, bigger and more refined than the previous version, even if the styling appeared to have barely changed. CarsGuide reviewers found this seven-seater to be practical with excellent cabin storage and packed with loads of standard features, making the Kodiaq excellent value.Superb to drive with great handling and a comfortable ride, the Kodiaq is the alternative to more mainstream rivals such as the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota Kluger.  Toyota’s seven-seat large SUV has also been on the shopping list of Aussie families since 2003 and while there’s more rivals to pick from than 20 years ago, the Kluger remains popular.CarsGuide reviewers found the Kluger to be spacious, practical, effortless to drive and with a fuel efficient hybrid powertrain, it is also outstanding value for money and comes with low servicing costs and Toyota’s reputation of reliability.Aussie Klugers are made in right-hand drive at Toyota’s Indiana plant in the United States.  Toyota’s LandCruiser 300 Series is a legend in its own time, acclaimed worldwide as one of the most capable large off-roaders, that’s comfortable, and with an exceptional reputation for reliability.With rivals such as the Nissan Patrol and Land Rover Defender, CarsGuide reviewers found the LandCruiser 300 Series to not only be great off-road, but also have good on-road manners, too. Reviewers noted, however, the high price tag and the need for better off-road tyres.The new-gen Toyota LandCruiser Prado arrived in late 2024 amid high expectations given the popularity of the previous modelsThe new Prado had a completely new retro cool look, but also a higher price tag. Still CarsGuide reviewers found the Prado very effective off-road and a big improvement over the previous gen with an increased towing capacity of 3500kg. But CarsGuide reviewers also found the Prado to be underpowered and not as good value for money as a Ford Everest or Isuzu MU-X.   Volkswagen's Touareg is a large, luxurious SUV that’s closely related to Audi’s Q7 but without the higher price.While all Touareg’s are five-seaters only, CarsGuide reviewers found it to be practical, full of sophisticated tech and refined in design and quality.A plug-in hybrid in the sporty R grade is available but CarsGuide reviewers found energy consumption to be high and EV driving range to be low.

The age of SUVs is firmly upon us, and carmakers are rolling out high-riding wagons at an astonishing rate.

The electric car onslaught will continue in 2026 with the announcement of more than 20 new models in Australia.

What if electric cars and hybrid utes aren’t the next big thing? Should you buy one or wait for hydrogen? Or do you just stick to petrol and diesel?

Australia electric car owners are about to realise the full potential of their vehicles.Power giant AGL has announced a new Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) trial to allow EV owners to power their homes and be paid to send power back to the grid.V2G technology allows electric vehicle owners to use the energy stored in their vehicles to power their home or send power back to the grid to earn credits during periods of peak demand.Electric car batteries are typically about five times the size of conventional home batteries, which could deliver huge potential for Australians.When paired with roof-top solar, V2G technology could allow some to effectively live off the grid.AGL Head of Innovation and Strategy Renae Gasmier said: “To unlock the full potential of their electric vehicles, owners need to think about them as more than cars, but rather as home batteries on wheels. The typical electric car battery can store enough energy to power the average home for around three days.”The new technology was green lit last year when Federal Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced Standards Australia has signed off on a new protocol allowing the technology to be approved for use in Australia.This streamlined the process for car and charging device manufacturers to get their vehicles approved for V2G use.“Vehicle to grid charging is now ticked, enabled under the law of the land and will become a reality before Christmas, in the real world,” said Bowen at the time. “Possible today, technically possible today, thanks to these changes, but next couple of months, an opportunity for the companies to get their registrations in and get it happening.”Currently V2G is only being trialled in South Australia, but AGL opens it up nationwide by bringing in all major national electricity market Distribution Network Service Providers.AGL has joined forces with BYD, Hyundai, Kia and Zeekr to make the service available to select vehicles.Owners of a Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 9 and the soon to be launched updated Ioniq 6 can take part.Kia’s EV3, EV6 and EV9 can also be part of the trial.Kia Australia boss Damien Meredith said: “Amid cost-of-living pressures, this unlocks the potential for Kia EV owners to transform their cars into mobile energy assets. Bi-directional charging is a game-changer, and we look forward to help introduce V2G to the Australian market on a much larger scale.”Hyundai Australia chief Don Romano said the trial will be able to show Australians its electric cars can do far more than just drive.BYD Atto 3 with some modifications is currently eligible with the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute and Sealion 6 a possibility further down the line.Zeekr currently has three electric vehicles on sale, the X small SUV, 7X mid-size SUV and 009 people mover. It is unclear which Zeekr vehicles can take part in the trial.

Top EVs for first-time electric car buyers.

Sorry, Swifties. While we appreciate the cultural phenomenon that is singer/songwriter, artist and philanthropist Taylor Swift, this is not a paean to a great pop star, but, rather, a reference to the year that marked Japan’s stellar ascension as the biggest threat to the established carmakers of that time. Their fear was existential as well as actual.

Kia’s big beefy electric SUV has just launched in Korea with a surprising price tag.