Top Safety Pick

2024 Kia EV9

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles built after January 2024

Fully electric

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0
Standard system
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Standard blind spot detection
Standard lane departure warning & prevention
Standard rear automatic braking

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Kia EV9 Wind 4-door 4wd

The Kia EV9, an all-electric SUV, was introduced in the 2024 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2404
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	10
Footrest (cm)	6
Left toepan (cm)	4
Brake pedal (cm)	3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	7
Lower instrument panel (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN2404
Head
HIC-15	171
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Femur (kN)
Left	1.2
Right	1.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.25
Right	0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	2.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	43
Right	70

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Kia EV9 Light RWD 4-door 2wd

The Kia EV9, an all-electric SUV, was introduced in the 2024 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 EV9 conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2407
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	10
Footrest (cm)	11
Right toepan (cm)	7
Center toepan (cm)	4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	7
Upper dash (cm)	6
Right lower dash (cm)	7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2407
Head
HIC-15	186
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	36
Maximum Nij	0.29
Chest maximum compression (mm)	20
Femur (kN)
Left	1.0
Right	1.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.39
Right	0.32
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.3
Right	1.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	59
Right	53

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2407
Head
HIC-15	110
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Femur (kN)
Left	0.8
Right	0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.27
Right	0.24
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.6
Right	0.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	36
Right	41

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Kia EV9 Land 4-door 4wd

The Kia EV9, an all-electric SUV, was introduced in the 2024 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 EV9 conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2402
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	9
Left (cm)	12
Center (cm)	15
Right (cm)	14
Brake pedal (cm)	14
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	3
Right (cm)	5
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	1
Rearward (cm)	1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2402
Head
HIC-15	177
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	10
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.8
Femur force - right (kN)	1.3
Knee displacement - left (mm)	1
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.31
Maximum tibia index - right	0.35
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	67
Right	82

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Kia EV9 Land 4-door 4wd

The Kia EV9, an all-electric SUV, was introduced in the 2024 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 EV9 conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2408
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-29.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2408
Head
HIC-15	25
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	-0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	12
Lateral force (kN)	0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	21
Average deflection (mm)	17
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.18
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.23
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	2.3

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2408
Head
HIC-15	66
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	-0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	9
Lateral force (kN)	0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	15
Average deflection (mm)	14
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.19
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.08
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	1.8

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 3 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

Land trim; built after January 2024
GT-Line trim; built after January 2024

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Land trim GT-Line trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models built after January 2024

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	99.8 m	None
Straightaway left edge	61.5 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	71.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	64.0 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	61.0 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	56.7 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	166.5 m
Straightaway left edge	165.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	79.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	75.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	66.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	62.6 m

Trim level(s)

Light Standard Range trim
Light Long Range trim
Wind trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves, and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right and gradual left curves, and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Light Standard Range trim Light Long Range trim Wind trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	108.2 m	None
Straightaway left edge	63.0 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	66.8 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	52.3 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	50.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	45.4 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	174.6 m
Straightaway left edge	130.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	77.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	68.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	59.2 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	54.8 m

Trim level(s)

Land trim; built before February 2024
GT-Line trim; built before February 2024

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams created excessive glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	Land trim GT-Line trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024 models built before February 2024

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	138.4 m	181.2%
Straightaway left edge	86.6 m	181.2%
250m radius right curve, right edge	72.7 m	190.6%
250m radius left curve, left edge	72.3 m	200.1%
150m radius right curve, right edge	61.4 m	231.3%
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.0 m	113.3%

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	223.3 m
Straightaway left edge	190.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	80.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	81.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	65.5 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	63.9 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle 2.0

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist

Overall evaluation

Passenger car target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
43 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided

Motorcycle target

Test run	Speed reduction	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
31 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
37 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
37 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided
43 mph/target centered	Collision avoided
43 mph/target off-center	Collision avoided

Semitrailer

Only warning is tested with the semitrailer.

Test run	Timely warning?
31 mph/target centered
37 mph/target centered
43 mph/target centered

About the front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Forward Collision Avoidance Assist

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 15 mph and a warning was issued 0.6 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	Wind
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 4 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	Wind
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
4
4	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
6
6	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	80
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 22

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 23

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	13
Clearance angle (degrees)	70
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	74
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 31

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	86
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	N/A
Force (lbs)	14
Clearance angle (degrees)	83
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 33

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	17
Clearance angle (degrees)	82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	15
Clearance angle (degrees)	81
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	50 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	64 dB
Difference between background and signal	13.5 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	51 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	63 dB
Difference between background and signal	11.6 dB
Dominant audio frequency	880 Hz