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cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
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Got quite a long trip today in our Q4 and it’s interesting just how much range, or predicted range is lost in colder weather. A car that predicts 290 miles on a full charge a few months ago now says 206 miles.

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The Audi platform is one of the worst for this I’m afraid. Generally we like Audi, but this and the fact that they are rather slow would make me weight for their next generation.

Sure weather plays a role, but it doesn’t have to be by that much.
 

diamond.g

macrumors G4
Mar 20, 2007
11,438
2,663
OBX
The Audi platform is one of the worst for this I’m afraid. Generally we like Audi, but this and the fact that they are rather slow would make me weight for their next generation.

Sure weather plays a role, but it doesn’t have to be by that much.
Isn’t that platform shared with VW? I didn’t think they had a separate platform aside from the one they share with the Taycan.

I wonder if the new electric Macan shares the same platform as the etron and ID.4.
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
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Saw a Kia EV9 while fast charging at my favorite supermarket.

Looks good for a 3 row SUV EV.

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Oh, that looks actually quite interesting. I like the smart seating arrangement as well, much better than a TMX. And some other features that stand out to me; V2L, 800V platform, Meridian Sound System. The only thing is that it is surprisingly slow 🧐 I don't get that. Ok, 5.3s isn't that slow, but for a 100kW 800v AWD platform I expect more. And the RWD version is just plain sluggish compared to almost any car.
 
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The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
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Wales, United Kingdom
Saw a Kia EV9 while fast charging at my favorite supermarket.

Looks good for a 3 row SUV EV.

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I’ve seen one on the roads here and they look quite quirky. The starting price of £65k is a bit of a choker though, especially as it’s a Kia. The fully kitted one is £80k. I have seen car reviewers suggesting the same and saying it is maybe £20k overpriced on all trims. Looks like a well built, solid car though with plenty of tech on it.
 
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cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
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I’ve seen one on the roads here and they look quite quirky. The starting price of £65k is a bit of a choker though, especially as it’s a Kia. The fully kitted one is £80k. I have seen car reviewers suggesting the same and saying it is maybe £20k overpriced on all trims. Looks like a well built, solid car though with plenty of tech on it.
One the other hand, what other 7 seat EV SUV is there that is cheaper and provide the same? I'd say the nearest competitor will be the Volvo EX90 and that is a lot more money.
 
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jz0309

Contributor
Sep 25, 2018
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I7guy

macrumors Nehalem
Nov 30, 2013
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Gotta be in it to win it
if I were in the market for that type of vehicle, I'd consider it.
So competition is building up in the SUV segment (we had Rivian for a while, Chevy blazer is there or close ...), so there is hope that we'll get some competition in the future in the Civic/Corolla size vehicles, in the US
Personally the ev9 and blazer are at the bottom of my EV wishlist. Not to mention Kia dealers from my understanding have bad reps and neither vehicle is eligible for the $7500 tax credit. Even Tesla’s vehicles have trouble meeting the 2024 tax credit.
 

The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
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if I were in the market for that type of vehicle, I'd consider it.
So competition is building up in the SUV segment (we had Rivian for a while, Chevy blazer is there or close ...), so there is hope that we'll get some competition in the future in the Civic/Corolla size vehicles, in the US

I just don’t think I could spend that much on a Kia, but it will depreciate fast enough to be a really good secondhand buy. When you think for the same money you can buy 7 seaters like the Mercedes EQB, for me it’s a harder sell. The build quality is probably better on the Kia though having said that. I know the Kia Nero we had briefly was bland on the inside, but solid in terms of quality, much better than Mercedes, and I owned a C-Class a few years back.
 

jz0309

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Sep 25, 2018
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Personally the ev9 and blazer are at the bottom of my EV wishlist. Not to mention Kia dealers from my understanding have bad reps and neither vehicle is eligible for the $7500 tax credit. Even Tesla’s vehicles have trouble meeting the 2024 tax credit.
I have no interest in that size vehicle (anymore, we had full size SUV when our kids were young but that is long over). But there is a market for those and that’s why I think they’re a contender…
 

jz0309

Contributor
Sep 25, 2018
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I just don’t think I could spend that much on a Kia, but it will depreciate fast enough to be a really good secondhand buy. When you think for the same money you can buy 7 seaters like the Mercedes EQB, for me it’s a harder sell. The build quality is probably better on the Kia though having said that. I know the Kia Nero we had briefly was bland on the inside, but solid in terms of quality, much better than Mercedes, and I owned a C-Class a few years back.
I can appreciate that though I think Kia has upped their game with EVs.
I am not sure if the EQB is offered in the US at this point, I am pretty sure EQS is but…
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
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I just don’t think I could spend that much on a Kia, but it will depreciate fast enough to be a really good secondhand buy. When you think for the same money you can buy 7 seaters like the Mercedes EQB, for me it’s a harder sell. The build quality is probably better on the Kia though having said that. I know the Kia Nero we had briefly was bland on the inside, but solid in terms of quality, much better than Mercedes, and I owned a C-Class a few years back.
The EV9 dwarfs the little EQB, not even close to being in the same ballpark. If you can fit 7 people in an EQB they must be part of the seven dwarfs. So whilst they may be similar in price in the UK, an EQB buyer is purely for the badge. And with Mercedes the range differentiators get very different once you are in an E or higher. Anything below that is very plastic. Looks similar but very different build and materials, so we agree on that...
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
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I can appreciate that though I think Kia has upped their game with EVs.
I am not sure if the EQB is offered in the US at this point, I am pretty sure EQS is but…
It has indeed, and it has a lot more (dimension wise) in common with an EQS-SUV than that EQB. Although it doesn't come close to luxury level, nor efficiency/power from the EV platform.


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The-Real-Deal82

macrumors P6
Jan 17, 2013
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I can appreciate that though I think Kia has upped their game with EVs.
I am not sure if the EQB is offered in the US at this point, I am pretty sure EQS is but…

They have certainly been in the EV market a bit longer than most and from my experience the Niro was decent enough. I hadn’t considered the difference in market, you’ll probably not get the EQB. I test drove it and to be fair it was far too big for what we wanted and felt a bit like one of those MPV’s that are converted for wheelchair lifts. I wasn’t impressed with the feel in the cabin either, far too much chromed plastics and cheap feeling for me. The EQS is probably more of a comparison to the Kia EV9 but is about £50k more! I’d get a Skoda Enyaq over both if I needed such a large car personally.
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
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They have certainly been in the EV market a bit longer than most and from my experience the Niro was decent enough. I hadn’t considered the difference in market, you’ll probably not get the EQB. I test drove it and to be fair it was far too big for what we wanted and felt a bit like one of those MPV’s that are converted for wheelchair lifts. I wasn’t impressed with the feel in the cabin either, far too much chromed plastics and cheap feeling for me. The EQS is probably more of a comparison to the Kia EV9 but is about £50k more! I’d get a Skoda Enyaq over both if I needed such a large car personally.
Then Enyaq maybe enough for you, but it isn't even in the same league size wise when you are using that reference point for such a large car. The Enyaq isn't large at all, and much smaller in every way.


2023-12-18_08-28-58.png
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
4,081
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UK
What about he Rivian R1S? Seems like it would be about the same size as the EV9 (maybe it is bigger?) and has three rows.
Good shout, it isn't in the database as a direct comparison. It appears that the Rivian R1S is 8.5 cm longer, 3.4 cm wider, and 3.6 cm taller. So I'd say that the KIA EV9 and Rivian R1S are very similar in size.

It is a shame the Rivian isn't really available in Europe other than by import, and then you'll have to change the charging port. I guess the EV9 is quite a bit cheaper. I'm still not sure about the styling of the Rivian, it seems practical but also looks like a pickup truck with just a covered boot.
 
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4sallypat

macrumors 601
Sep 16, 2016
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One the other hand, what other 7 seat EV SUV is there that is cheaper and provide the same? I'd say the nearest competitor will be the Volvo EX90 and that is a lot more money.
The $60K price point for a Kia is rather scary when you consider they cater to the lower price point buyers.

Currently, if you lease the EV9, there is a $3750 lease cash passed along from the tax credit the leasing company gets so that's a nicer price point.
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
4,081
2,751
UK
The $60K price point for a Kia is rather scary when you consider they cater to the lower price point buyers.

Currently, if you lease the EV9, there is a $3750 lease cash passed along from the tax credit the leasing company gets so that's a nicer price point.
True, but Kia has been socially :) climbing and to be fair their quality has risen as well. It is still not there yet, but also no longer as cheap and nasty. Furthermore, EVs are just expensive, sure it is a lot of money for a KIA but it is a big car, it is an EV, and it is way cheaper than any close competitors.
 

cyb3rdud3

macrumors 601
Jun 22, 2014
4,081
2,751
UK
Kia (Hyundai) vehicles are amazing. Their dealership experience and service centers are appalling.
Amazing compared to what? I think they are a lot better than they used to be, but still way too many scratchy plastic and low-quality materials compared to say as good as any German equivalent vehicle.
 

sjsharksfan12

macrumors 68020
Jun 29, 2020
2,047
2,510
San Jose, CA
Wireless CarPlay is a game changer. I’d not buy a car without it. My BMW has it. It makes things very convenient.

Can I replace the factory radio in my Honda Accord with Wireless Car Play despite Crutchfield saying I shouldn't? I'm actually considering doing something like that and just losing the factory radio because I only listen to Sirius/Apple Music/Podcasts anyway.

I bought my car in 2016 and already buying another one just seems dumb right now.
 
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