New: Kia EV9 2024: Edgy in the premium league

With its EV6, Kia has created an impressive electric model that is causing a stir even in the premium brand class. Now Kia is climbing even higher with its new EV9. The Koreans presented the almost five-meter-long electric SUV to the general public for the first time in autumn 2021 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The production model will roll out in autumn. The EV9 is based on the Group’s own electric platform E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), on which various vehicles from Hyundai, Kia and Genesis will be on the road. These are currently the Kia EV6, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or a Genesis GV70. The design and proportions hardly differ from the design study, which was painted blue at the time, and so the EV9 has not only retained the vertical light units at the front and rear, but also a decidedly long wheelbase.

It’s no surprise, then, that there’s plenty of room inside for up to seven passengers. The Kia EV9 is available as a six- or seven-seater, which is particularly important in the US market. Depending on the vehicle configuration, first and second row occupants can recline their seats to relax and rest – for example while the Kia EV9 is being charged. If desired, the seats in the second row can be rotated 180 degrees to exchange ideas with the children in the third row. Just like in the front or in the back, the seats in the third row offer drink holders and charging ports for mobile devices. “The Kia EV9 breaks new ground with the aim of redefining the standards for design, connectivity, user-friendliness and environmental responsibility,” says Kia design boss Karim Habib, “as an exceptionally high-quality overall package, the Kia EV9 opens up the market for customers in the family SUV segment a whole new perspective. Through the innovative use of space, technology and design, this new vehicle typology offers instinctive experiences and outstanding comfort not only to the driver but to all occupants.”

Inside there are two 12.3-inch displays linked by a small five-inch screen that displays information about the climate control. Somewhat surprisingly, the electric brother of the Kia Telluride has no display for the passenger. Kia is sticking to its system of adding haptic buttons to the touch screens. In addition to changing sensor surfaces, there are direct buttons for temperature, ventilation, hazard warning lights and driving mode below the navigation screen. Other switches on the spacious center armrest control functions such as downhill driving or parking assistance.

When it comes to the drive, no surprises are to be expected. Here, the Kia uses the electrical packages from the Hyundai Group. Means it will lift EV9 versions with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The power spectrum should range from 147 kW / 200 hp to around 430 kW / 585 hp, which the GT top version of the Kia EV6 delivers. However, its almost 78 kWh battery pack is likely to be too little in view of the air resistance value and weight class, so that a battery pack of around 100 kWh seems set for this upper electric class. The volume engine could be the four-wheel drive that also drives the Genesis GV70 with its 320 kW / 435 PS / 700 Nm. Depending on the battery pack, there are more than 500 kilometers purely electrically and the EV9 should have the well-known fast charging system, which charges the crossover at both 400 volt and 800 volt stations without the need for an additional converter. As a result, the high-voltage battery in the underbody can be charged from ten to 80 percent of its capacity in just under 20 minutes using a 350 kW fast charging station. In addition, the vehicle has the bidirectional charging capability, which offers up to 3.6 kW charging power and can thus supply various external electronic devices with electricity.