2026 Kia EV9 Light Long Range: Manahawkin Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: 2026 Kia EV9 Light Long Range
The Light Long Range is the range champion of the EV9 lineup: $57,900 MSRP before the $1,645 destination charge, rear-wheel drive only, with an EPA-estimated 305 miles per charge on a 99.8-kWh battery — the same big pack that powers every all-wheel-drive trim above it. The trade for that range is a quirk worth knowing up front: its single motor makes 201 horsepower, slightly less than the smaller-battery Light's 215. For a Shore-area driver who wants to minimize charging stops without stepping up to all-wheel drive, this is the trim built for exactly that job, and it's on the lot now at Manahawkin Kia on Route 72 East.
The math behind the name
Kia builds the Light Long Range around one job: maximum range without adding a second motor. Swap the base Light's 76.1-kWh battery for the 99.8-kWh pack that every other EV9 trim shares, keep the drivetrain rear-wheel drive and single-motor, and the EPA number climbs from 230 to 305 miles — the longest in the entire lineup, longer even than the all-wheel-drive Wind and Land. The honest asterisk: peak output actually drops slightly to 201 horsepower, a real but modest number for a three-row SUV that most drivers won't notice day to day, since the tradeoff shows up in charging-stop frequency, not in daily-drive feel.
That makes this trim the pick for a specific kind of buyer: someone who drives real distances — regular trips up the Parkway, weekend runs well past the county line — but doesn't need all-wheel drive for how or where they drive. If winter traction or towing confidence matters more than maximum range, the Wind trim's all-wheel-drive layout is worth cross-shopping even though its EPA range comes in lower at 283 miles.
What stays the same, what changes
The cabin technology carries over unchanged from the Light: dual 12.3-inch curved displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Kia's full standard Drive Wise safety suite. What the Light Long Range adds is mostly around the edges — equipment tied to the bigger battery and the trim's position as the range specialist in the lineup — while the 6- or 7-passenger seating choice carries over from the base trim.
What buyers here say about range confidence
Manahawkin Kia's 4.8-star average across more than 2,800 Google reviews includes plenty of buyers navigating an EV purchase for the first time, and the team's follow-through after the sale is a recurring theme. One buyer described it directly: "Joe has called and texted us several times just to check in and see if we had any questions about the vehicle or needed help with any of its features. That kind of follow-up is almost unheard of today and says a lot about how much he genuinely cares about his customers." For a range-focused buyer working out a new charging routine, that kind of after-sale support answers questions a spec sheet can't.
Frequently asked questions
What does the 2026 EV9 Light Long Range cost?
$57,900 MSRP plus the $1,645 destination charge, before New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax and fees — $3,000 above the base Light.
Why does the Long Range trim have less power than the base Light?
It's a real quirk of this configuration: the Light Long Range's single rear motor is tuned for efficiency with the bigger 99.8-kWh battery, which nets 201 horsepower versus the base Light's 215. The tradeoff buys range, not speed — 305 EPA-estimated miles versus 230.
Which EV9 has the best range?
The Light Long Range, at an EPA-estimated 305 miles — longer than the all-wheel-drive Wind and Land (283 miles) and the GT-Line (280 miles), because it carries the big battery without the weight and power draw of a second motor.
Can I add all-wheel drive to this trim?
No — Light Long Range is rear-wheel drive only for 2026. All-wheel drive starts at the Wind trim, which trades some range for standard AWD and 379 combined horsepower.
Where can I test drive one near Manahawkin?
Manahawkin Kia's new inventory is at 270 Route 72 East, and the sales team routinely walks first-time EV buyers through range planning and home-charging setup as part of the test drive.
The bottom line
Light Long Range is the calculated choice for a buyer who wants the EV9's biggest battery without paying for a second motor — the most range in the lineup, a modest power tradeoff most owners won't feel, and a $3,000 step from the base trim that pays for itself in fewer charging stops.
MSRP figures exclude the $1,645 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Range figures are EPA estimates; real-world range will vary with weather, speed, and load. Equipment and availability can change with configuration and production timing — confirm current specs with Manahawkin Kia. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Manahawkin Kia.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.