Kia EV9 Named KBB Best Buy for Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle

Kelley Blue Book names the Kia EV9 Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle again for 2026, citing value, range and technology. Read the full details.

The Kia EV9 has once again secured a major recognition in the electric SUV market, earning Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Award for “Best 3-Row Electric Vehicle” for the third consecutive year.

Kelley Blue Book’s editors highlighted the EV9’s balance of key factors that matter most to everyday buyers, pointing to its combination of price, power, range, design and available technology.

Kia America described the award as a strong validation of the brand’s engineering and development strategy. Company representatives also emphasized the EV9’s role as a practical family-focused vehicle, noting its seating capacity of up to seven passengers, fast-charging capability, and the versatility expected from a full-size electric SUV.

Kelley Blue Book’s editorial team reinforced that positioning, calling the EV9 a spacious midsize SUV offering more than 300 miles of driving range. The comment reflects the EV9’s growing reputation as a true family hauler that also happens to be fully electric.

The recognition comes through Kelley Blue Book’s Best Buy Awards program, now in its 12th year. The awards are based on a full year of expert testing and a wide set of analytical inputs, including pricing data, transaction trends, consumer reviews, sales insights, and 5-Year Cost to Own calculations.

That broader evaluation is especially relevant as the three-row electric vehicle segment continues to evolve. While competition is gradually expanding, EV9’s repeat performance suggests that the model has established itself as a benchmark for buyers looking for a large, fully electric SUV that delivers both practicality and long-range usability.

Kia’s own figures underline that direction. In the U.S., the EV9 is listed with EPA-estimated driving range ratings reaching up to 305 miles, while European specifications indicate a maximum range of up to 563 km for the rear-wheel-drive version.

With this third straight Best Buy Award win, the EV9 appears to be strengthening its position as one of the most consistent and competitive options in the growing market for large family-oriented electric SUVs—especially as buyers increasingly weigh not only technology, but also real-world value and long-term ownership costs.