2026 Kia EV9 Wind: Manahawkin Buyers Guide

The AWD step, explained

Below Wind, every EV9 is single-motor and rear-wheel drive. At Wind, Kia adds a second motor up front, and the combined output jumps to 379 horsepower with an available Boost mode that sharpens throttle response and torque for quicker acceleration when you need it — merging onto the Parkway, passing on Route 72. The range cost of that second motor is real but modest: 283 EPA-estimated miles versus the Light Long Range's 305, on the identical 99.8-kWh battery. New for 2026, every AWD EV9 also gets a Terrain Mode with Snow, Mud, and Sand settings, which reads like a spec-sheet checkbox until the first nor'easter or the first sandy beach-access road on Long Beach Island.

$6,000 above the Light Long Range, Wind is the trim where most families cross-shopping the EV9 against a gas three-row SUV land — enough range for regular use, real winter-weather confidence, and a genuinely comfortable cabin without stretching into GT-Line pricing.

What the AWD step brings besides traction

Wind isn't just a drivetrain upgrade — it's where the EV9's comfort equipment steps up, alongside the choice of 6-passenger captain's chairs or a 7-passenger bench in the second row. The dual 12.3-inch curved display setup and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto carry over from lower trims, along with Kia's full standard Drive Wise safety suite, so nothing about the cabin technology feels like a downgrade from what pricier trims offer.

How EV9 buyers describe this dealership

Manahawkin Kia's 4.8-star average across more than 2,800 Google reviews includes some of the fleet's most detailed EV9 stories. One buyer who leased an AWD EV9 after coming out of a gas Porsche SUV: "I leased my first all electric car with them and it won't be my last. The EV9 is a stellar SUV and they made the transition super comfortable. (I already referred my neighbor who leased one 2 days after me.)" Another owner, on the sales team's transparency: "There was none of the typical ‘let me check with my manager’ routine, no games, and no surprise MSRP markup. They offered us a very fair price for our trade." That directness matters on a vehicle with as many configuration variables as an all-wheel-drive EV9.

Frequently asked questions

What does the 2026 EV9 Wind cost?

$63,900 MSRP plus the $1,645 destination charge, before New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax and fees — the entry point for all-wheel drive in the EV9 lineup.

How much range do I give up for all-wheel drive?

About 22 EPA-estimated miles versus the Light Long Range: 283 miles for Wind's AWD setup versus 305 for the rear-drive Light Long Range, on the same battery. The dual-motor output (379 hp combined) is the tradeoff's upside.

Is the Wind good in snow and sand?

Standard AWD plus the new-for-2026 Terrain Mode (Snow, Mud, Sand settings) gives Wind real traction management for winter roads and soft-surface driving — a meaningful upgrade for Ocean County's mix of nor'easters and beach-access sand.

What's the difference between Wind and Land?

Both share the same 379-hp AWD powertrain and 283-mile EPA range; Land ($68,900) adds a higher equipment level and is the only trim with access to the no-cost Nightfall Edition styling package.

Can I configure the Wind for 6 or 7 passengers?

Yes — like every EV9 trim, Wind offers the choice between 6-passenger captain's chairs and a 7-passenger bench second row.

The bottom line

Wind is the trim where the EV9 becomes an all-weather family SUV — standard AWD, meaningful power, real winter traction, and a step up in comfort equipment, for a $6,000 premium over the range-focused Light Long Range. For most Shore-area households cross-shopping a three-row electric SUV, this is where the decision gets easy.