Three-row electric vehicles are still quite rare in the United States, with only around ten models available presently. One of the cheapest options from that group is the Kia EV9, which starts at $54,900 for the 2026 model year. Despite the value prospect of this vehicle, sales of the EV9 declined in August, and dealers have responded with some massive discounts on this spacious SUV. In one case, you can get a new EV9 for not much more than the far smaller Niro EV. Here’s a closer look at the current deals.
Up to $16,000 Off a Kia EV9
Kristen Brown
The most aggressive EV9 deal comes from Shottenkirk Kia Fort Bend in Texas. Spotted by Carscoops, the dealer discount is $16,041. Even including a documentation fee and Tint Package, the cost of this new EV9 Light RWD is just $41,414. That’s tremendous value for a seven-seater SUV with fast-charging capability (up to 350 kW) and features like blind-spot detection, Highway Driving Assist, front/rear parking sensors, and a comfortable interior with faux leather upholstery. Consider that a 2026 Niro EV starts at $39,700 and goes up to $44,700—it’s not nearly as modern, practical, or powerful as the EV9.
This base variant of the EV9 doesn’t have the best range (230 miles) and it’s not the most powerful (215 horsepower), but it’s still a lot of SUV for the price of a Niro EV or mid-range EV6.
At Liberty Auto Plaza in Illinois, an EV Light Short Range has been handed a $15,000 discount, dropping the price from $57,480 to just $42,480. There’s also a $15k saving on the Light Long Range model, which nets you a more practical 304 miles between charges. This one’s price has been cut from $59,785 to $44,785.
There are several more other big discounts on the EV9, with many exceeding $10,000. These discounts are worth even more than the $7,500 EV tax credit that was discontinued in 2025, so we recommend checking what’s on offer from dealers in your area.
Three-Row EVs Still a Tough Sell
Kia
Building a large, three-row vehicle and giving it a large enough battery to ensure a reasonable range is a challenge. Most of these vehicles—including the Cadillac Vistiq, Lucid Gravity, and Rivian R1S—are expensive and priced far above the roughly $50,000 average cost of a new vehicle in America. They also lack the towing capabilities many people expect from a large SUV.
But for families with home charging and perhaps a second gas or hybrid vehicle, a three-row electric SUV can be a great buy. The EV9 is quieter than the Telluride and similarly versatile, but its running costs will be lower. The fact that you can currently buy one for the same cost as an equivalent Telluride (with dealer discounts) sweetens the deal.
EV9 sales decreased in August 2026 but year-to-date sales are up by 12%. Huge discounts could be contributing to this result for Kia’s largest EV. Together with the new EV3 at a lower price point, Kia now has one of the industry’s most complete range of electric SUVs.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog