‘Breakthrough’ Kia EV9 electric SUV to deliver 336-mile range
Kia has revealed further details of its EV9 three-row electric SUV, which will drive the brand’s work on sustainability, autonomous driving and connectivity-enabled tech.
On sale in selected global markets from the second half of 2023, the new flagship is intended to “redefine the user experience” through design, space and technology.
It’s one of 15 EV models due by 2027 and will accelerate the brand’s transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider.
Battery options include a 99.8kWh pack that will enable a targeted range of over 336 miles (540km) in the rear-wheel drive car, which will also deliver 201hp and a 0-62mph (0-100km/h) time of 9.4 seconds. An all-wheel drive model with the same battery will also be available, netting 380hp of power from its two electric motors and a 0-62mph time of 6.0 seconds, slashed to 5.3 seconds with a Boost feature available over the air. Range for the AWD model is still be confirmed.
A lower-capacity 76.1kWh battery comes exclusively with rear-wheel drive and will be standard in some markets but is not confirmed for the UK. Both battery packs draw on fourth-gen tech.
The EV9 also gets 800-volt ultra-fast charging capability thanks to its use of the group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) debuted on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and also used for Ioniq 6 and EV6. This will enable a charge of some 149 miles (239km) in around 15 minutes.
As with other group models, it will also get vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, enabling items such as laptops to be charged from up to 3.68kW of power.
At over 5m in length, it’s the largest model in the brand’s line-up and will be one of the only three-row, seven-seat electric SUVs available in the UK. The line-up will include six- and seven-seater variants; second-row options include three-seater bench seats and two individual swivel-type seats.
Design introduces new details that will be used for future EV models. Previewed late November with a concept at the Los Angeles motor show, the EV9 reinterprets the Korean brand’s tiger nose grille with a new ‘Digital Tiger Face’ that includes a digital pattern lighting grille on the top-rung GT-Line and ‘Star Map’ LED daytime running lights that give an animated lighting pattern.
The interior embraces Kia’s new three-step Design Sustainability Strategy, which will phase out the use of leather, apply 10 ‘must-have’ sustainable items to all new Kia models and increase the usage of bio-based materials such as corn, sugar cane and natural oils. Up to 70 recycled PP bottles will feature in the interior of each model, supporting the brand’s plans to be carbon-neutral by 2045.
Technology highlights include the Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system, which will be available in the Kia EV9 GT-line in selected markets, enabling conditional Level 3 autonomous driving.
The EV9 also marks the debut of the Kia Connect Store, where customers can purchase digital features and services, such as new lighting patterns and the Boost feature for the all-wheel drive version, while also upgrading capabilities via over-the-air updates.
ADAS features include Remote Smart Parking Assist, which can be activated without the driver onboard, rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist, blind spot/lane keeping/intelligent speed limit assistance, navigation-based smart cruise control and highway driving assist, which enables lane changes.
Drivers will also be able to open and start their car from their smartphone thanks to the use of ultra-wide band on the Digital Key.
The EV9 will premiere at the Seoul Mobility Show 2023 later this month, before heading to the New York International Auto Show in early April.
UK and European EV9 specification is still yet to be announced along with pricing details.
Natalie Middleton
Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news - or gossip.
