New range-topping Kia EV9 luxury electric SUV will have a range of 300 miles, and is showcased in these new concept car images…
On sale: Late 2023 | Price from: £55,000 (est)
Every brand needs a flagship – something big, bold and expensive to show off your talents to the world. The Kia EV9 is just that, and with it, the South Korean car maker hopes to sway luxury SUV buyers into going large (and electric) with their next new car.
Kia has just released these new pictures of the EV9 in concept form, and also confirmed that the new model will be the largest and most luxurious model it will offer (for the time being, at least). As is on trend these days, the EV9 is fully electric, with an official range of up to 300 miles. That’s more than the rival Audi E-tron can manage, but less than the Tesla Model X.
Power is expected to be drawn from a 100kWh battery pack. That’s substantially larger than the 77kWh pack used in the smaller Kia EV6 – our reigning What Car? Car of the Year. The EV9’s underpinnings can support ultra-fast charging, so buyers should be able to charge at speeds of up to 350kW. That means that if you can find a suitably powerful charging point, an 80% charge should take less than half an hour.
While Kia has yet to reveal how many motors the EV9 will have, or how powerful they will be, the setup of the EV6 could give us an indication of options. The EV6 gets a single 226bhp electric motor as standard, with a 321bhp dual-motor setup on top models.
Range-topping EV9 Performance models are expected to be able to complete the 0-62mph sprint in around 5.0 sec.
The EV9 is bigger than the Kia Sorento and has about the same footprint as the E-tron and Model X premium electric SUVs. It’s certainly bold, too. Design flourishes on the concept EV9 include a closed-off front grille, and an LED light show welcomes the driver when they approach the car. Cameras replace conventional wing mirrors.
These elements are likely to be carried over to the production model, but some of the EV9 concept’s more future-facing elements will be dropped. For example, the long bonnet that doubles as a solar panel, and roof rails that can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button are not likely to feature on the final car.
Inside, the EV9 features a big 27in display that replaces traditional instruments and showcases infotainment information. Everything from climate controls to navigation will be accessed through this screen, and although it looks swish, it’s likely to be more distracting to use on the move than systems with physical controls.
The EV9 concept has seating for up to seven people in three rows. The layout is adaptable, and all three rows of seats can be rotated 180 degrees to face out of the open tailgate if you find yourself with a good view to enjoy.
Throughout the EV9, Kia has used materials with an element of sustainability, whether that’s plastics salvaged from marine waste, or through the use of vegan leather rather than conventional animal leather.
There’s no word yet on how big the EV9’s boot will be, but the Sorento can comfortably swallow your family’s holiday luggage, so you won’t have to pack light in the larger new range-topper.
The EV9 will be the first Kia to be offered with the firm’s ‘Automode’ assisted driving technology, which should allow the car to control its own acceleration, braking, lane position and steering in some situations (on a motorway, for example). Buyers will be able to unlock new features and upgrade existing ones through wireless ‘over-the-air’ updates.
As befits a flagship car, the EV9 will be the most expensive Kia by some margin, with prices likely to start at around £55,000. Still, that will make it a relative bargain next to premium-badged electric SUV rivals such as the E-tron, BMW iX3 and Model X.
Keyword: 2023 Kia EV9 electric SUV revealed: new pictures and full details