Kia finally announced the starting price for its flagship EV9, its first three-row electric SUV. At $54,900, Kia says the EV9 will be “a wake-up call to the industry.” The 2024 Kia EV9 is expected to begin rolling out in the US later this year.
2024 Kia EV9 Light RWD gets a $54,900 starting price tag
“We knew we had to get the EV9 pricing right and we believe today’s announcement will be a wake-up call to the industry,” explained Steven Center, EVP and COO of Kia America.
The 2024 Kia EV9 Light RWD will have a starting price of $54,900 (excluding destination fee), with seating for up to seven, DC fast charging capability, 215hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and the latest tech features.
Center said, “A well-equipped three-row SUV EV doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. It should offer the perfect balance of standard features, the ability to fast charge, and be equipped with the technology savvy EV buyers are looking for.”
After unveiling its first three-row electric SUV in March, Kia gave us a glimpse of its future with a bold new style and advanced tech features.
Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
New flagship electric SUV arriving in Q4
Kia’s EV9 will play a pivotal role in the automaker’s transition into the electric era. Powered by the Hyundai Motor Group’s 800V E-GMP platform, the EV9 is the first EV to feature its fourth-gen battery tech.
The EV9 offers “true SUV capabilities,” with over 81 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, 7.8 inches of ground clearance, and up to 5,000 lbs of towing.
Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
At 197.2″ long, the EV9 is slightly longer than Kia’s Telluride SUV, while they are about the same height (up to 70.1″) and width (77.9″). Despite its boxy, aggressive shape, the EV9 has a drag coefficient of 0.28, slightly edging out Volvo’s EX90 (.29 Cd).
The EV9’s interior features Kia’s next-gen Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) system. At the center is an elliptical-shaped dash with a “floating” effect.
Kia EV9 interior (Source: Kia)
A wide panoramic display with dual 12.3″ screens and a 5″ HVAC screen integrated into a single panel for a modern, minimalist look. Under the screen are hidden switches for key infotainment features.
Kia’s flagship EV9 comes loaded with 20 standard ADAS features, including an advanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist that can detect several hazards like oncoming vehicles turning left or crossing an intersection.
Kia EV9 three-row seating (Source: Kia)
With DC fast charging and navigation-based features, the EV9 enables a seamless charging experience.
The 2024 Kia EV9 is expected to begin rolling out in the fourth quarter of this year. Initially, it will be built in South Korea and shipped to the US.
Kia EV9 interior (Source: Kia)
However, starting in 2024, it will move to Kia’s West Point, Georgia facility. Kia says prices for the Light Long Range, Wind, Land, and GT-Line will be announced closer to launch. The automaker invested an additional $200 million into the facility in July to prepare for EV9 assembly.
Electrek’s Take
At $54,900, Kia’s flagship EV9 is roughly priced in the middle of the pack. Although the starting price is lower than expected (~$60,000), it’s still higher than the base Tesla Model Y at $50,490 and the Mercedes EQB at $52,750.
At the same time, it’s lower than the Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90, priced around $80,000. Kia is not known as a “premium” automaker, so the lower starting price makes sense.
After a strong start in its domestic market, EV9 sales have slipped, with lower-priced competitors like Tesla’s Model Y gaining traction. We’ll see how it keeps up in the US later this year and into 2024.
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On today’s extreme episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the most affordable new EV in America packing 255 miles of range, sub-30 minute charging, V2H support, and more – all that for a price about $10,000 LESS than that new “affordable” Tesla.
We’ve also got specs for the all-new, all-electric Ferrari Elettrica and a world’s first, hydrogen-powered autonomous farm tractor from Kubota.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. The nonprofit just kicked off its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.
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Momentum, the lifestyle-focused urban bike brand under Giant Group, has just launched the latest version of its popular Vida E+ electric bike – and this one’s all about making e-biking smoother, safer, and more accessible to riders of all experience levels.
The updated Vida E+ features a new 500W SyncDrive Move S motor offering 60Nm of torque and pedal assist up to 28 mph, designed to provide natural-feeling power whether you’re cruising to work or just exploring around town. The system uses a combination of sensors to analyze torque, speed, and cadence, automatically adjusting power output to match your pedaling effort.
According to Momentum, the motor engages with as little as 4Nm of pedal pressure and just 10° of crank movement, giving riders what they describe as an ultra-smooth and effortless start every time.
A new optional throttle adds another layer of convenience, letting riders cruise at speeds up to 20 mph without pedaling, which should be perfect for hills, traffic-heavy starts, or when you just want to relax and take it easy on the way home. The bike’s EnergyPak 700 battery provides up to a claimed 55 miles (88 km) of range on pedal assist or 43 miles (69 km) on throttle-only riding.
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The Vida E+ also leans hard into comfort and safety. It sports a low-step aluminum frame for easy on-and-off, an 80 mm suspension fork, and wide 26×2.4-inch tires for stability and plushness. Four-piston hydraulic disc brakes ensure solid stopping power, while a new automatic motor cutoff feature stops assistance as soon as the brakes engage. The bike is UL 2849 certified, meaning it meets top-tier safety standards for batteries and electronics, which is a growing priority in the e-bike world as more cities and states consider requiring safety certification as a prerequisite.
With support for up to 300 pounds (136 kg) total load and optional racks front and rear, the Vida E+ is also built for everyday utility. And on the tech side, momentum’s RideControl app lets riders fine-tune speed and assistance, lock or unlock the bike electronically, and monitor battery health.
VW’s US EV lease deals just went from hero to zero. Federal tax credits are now dead, the automaker has wiped out up to $12,000 in lease incentives on the ID.4, and ended $10,500 in discounts on the ID. Buzz. The move bucks the trend as other brands continue to sweeten their EV lease offers.
As of September 30, 2025, Volkswagen offered up to $12,350 in lease cash on the ID.4, depending on configuration. That included a $7,500 federal lease tax credit for lessees as Bonus Customer Cash, plus $3,500 to $4,850 in Dealer Lease Cash. It made the ID.4 one of the top EV lease deals around.
On October 1, those incentives vanished. While the ID.4 still has a 0% APR equivalent lease rate, drivers lost more than $12,000 in savings overnight. The ID. Buzz took a similar hit. Last month, the 2025 ID. Buzz offered $10,500 off MSRP between the $7,500 tax credit and $3,000 Dealer Lease Cash. Now, almost all lease cash is gone. VW Credit is offering just $750 in Dealer Lease Cash, and weirdly, not on models with two-tone paint. According to CarsDirect’s lease calculator, the lowest-priced ID. Buzz trim now carries an effective monthly cost topping $1,000 — a considerable jump.
For comparison, the ID. Buzz Pro S was previously advertised at $589 a month for 36 months with $5,999 due at signing, or an effective monthly cost of $756.
The ID.4 lease once cost just $233 a month, making it one of the cheapest EVs to lease. According to updated estimates, that figure is now north of $800 – that’s hair-raising.
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Meanwhile, VW’s rivals are going in the opposite direction. Ford extended its Mustang Mach-E lease deals through early January. Subaru’s updated 2026 Solterra still qualifies for the $7,500 lease credit, and Jeep replaced the expiring EV lease credit with equivalent bonus cash.
If you really want a Volkswagen, though, there’s some good news: financing deals haven’t changed. The 2025 ID.4 continues to offer 0% APR for 72 months, and buyers of the ID. Buzz can still get up to $3,250 in Bonus Customer Cash through November 3, a perk unavailable to lessees.
It kinda seems like VW doesn’t want to lease their EVs anymore…?? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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