Dallas-based premium rideshare company Alto is rolling out what it calls “a major fleet upgrade” with the introduction of the all-electric Kia EV9. The new SUVs offer riders a quieter, more spacious and comfortable way to get around the city, the company said.

Founded in 2019 in Dallas, Alto has since expanded to Houston and operates in partnership with Uber in Los Angeles and Miami. The company differs from traditional rideshare platforms, whose drivers are often gig workers driving their own vehicles. Instead, Alto owns its vehicles and employs its drivers as W-2 employees, creating what it calls “a more controlled and curated ride experience for guests.”

“With the EV9, we’re able to deliver an even better ride for our guests,” Co-Founder and CEO Will Coleman said in a statement. “It’s quiet, incredibly spacious, and designed with comfort in mind.”

Three rows, captain’s chairs, and extra room in a ‘calm cabin’

The EV9 is a three-row electric SUV designed for passenger comfort. Each vehicle includes spacious captain’s chairs, a modern interior and a smooth, quiet ride that elevates everyday transportation, Alto said. Offering a calm cabin and extra room to stretch out, the new vehicles also bring “a fresh visual presence to the streets,” Alto said, reinforcing the platform’s signature look while introducing one of the newest electric SUVs available today. 

From vehicle standards to driver training, Alto has long aimed to control the full ride experience. That model is now allowing Alto to manage the rollout of its new EV fleet—right down to the company-operated depots where vehicles are charged, cleaned, maintained, and staged for service throughout the day.

“Because we operate the fleet ourselves, we can control the entire experience,” Coleman said. “From the vehicles we choose to how they’re maintained and presented to guests, everything is designed to make the ride feel effortless.”

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