Kia has at last dropped more details about the coming EV9 three-row electric vehicle (EV) SUV, including packaging, power, performance, battery range and key technical and safety innovations.
Pencilled in for a late 2023 launch, there’s still plenty left to reveal – including the all-important pricing info – but a clearer picture of what Kia’s anticipated circa-$100,000-plus EV SUV alternative to a BMW X7, Mazda CX-90 and Volvo XC90 is emerging.
Among a host of other innovations and features, we now know that the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Long Range grade can manage a driving range of “over 541km” WLTP on a single charge, thanks to a bigger battery than the one currently offered in the successful EV6.
Let’s kick things off with the EV9’s exact dimensions – vital in any family-sized SUV.
It’s big, even for a three-row SUV. At 5010mm long, 1980mm wide and 1755mm high, the EV9 is about the size of a Hyundai Palisade, but sits on a 200mm-longer wheelbase at 3100mm. That should liberate some serious space inside.
Despite being an upright and blocky SUV, a flat underfloor and precise airflow details including air curtains in the front bumper mean that the EV9’s best aerodynamic coefficient rating is 0.28. A brilliant result, that was achieved with the smallest of the three available wheel sizes – the 19-inch alloys rather than the 20-inch or 21-inch items.
The final model line-up roll call remains a secret, but the GT-Line will be the top model – at least until the high-performance EV9 GT arrives sometime in early 2025.
Among other things, the GT-Line introduces detailed styling changes to what we’ve seen already, including clusters of small cube lights next to each LED headlight to form part of the grille known as “Digital Pattern Lighting Grille” in Kia-speak. It will also feature unique front and rear bumper styles, wheels and paint accents.
Then there’s seating. A flat floor and that super-stretched 3100mm wheelbase means the EV9’s second-row bucket seats (in up-spec six-seater rather than bench-equipped seven-seater guises) can swivel 180 degrees, allowing for “conference” seating. This was previewed in the 2021 LA Auto Show concept of the same name. The front seats will also include “resting posture” availability, for convenient charger-queue napping.
Still inside the newcomer, the EV9 will be the first Kia to completely eschew leather in the name of sustainability for bio-based materials made from corn, sugar cane and natural oils, and will be offered in six different colour combinations.
Speaking of combos, two battery packs have been confirmed.
The headline act is the new 99.8kWh item, which is the largest-yet revealed by either Kia or Hyundai, and responsible for that “over 541km” stated range in the aforementioned RWD Long Range model. Driven by a rear axle-mounted 150kW/350Nm electric motor and single-speed transmission, the latter can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 9.4 seconds.
The all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions, meanwhile, adds a second electric motor (on the front axle), for a combined 283kW/600Nm, slashing that acceleration standard to 6.0s. Buyers can also opt for a 700Nm Boost upgrade at any time using over-the-air (OTR) tech via the new Kia Connect Store, Tesla-style, to cut that 0-100km/h time down to just 5.3s.
Then there’s a smaller 76.1kWh battery pack in the EV9 Standard RWD fitted with a 160kW/350Nm electric motor. Because the battery is smaller/lighter and there’s a bit more power on hand, it manages the 0-100km/h sprint in just 8.2s.
We’ll have to wait a little longer for official energy consumption and kerb weight figures.
The EV9, like its EV6 smaller sister, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatch and Ioniq 6 sedan, and Genesis GV60, employs the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture, meaning that there is 800-volt DC fast charging capability. Find an ultra-fast charger (350kW-plus), and 239km can be available in 15 minutes.
Additionally, there’s Vehicle-to-Load functionality, offering 3.68kW to power household or camping appliances as required.
Steering and suspension specifications will be supplied at a later date.
What else have we learned about the big new Kia EV?
There’s Highway Driving Pilot – a GT-Line-only addition for now – that allows for Level Three autonomous driving where allowed, and includes extended hands-off-wheel cruising and lane-keeping as well as self-overtaking. Let’s see if Kia turns this feature on for Australia.
The EV9 will offer an upgraded remote smart parking function with no driver intervention required and with or without occupants inside the vehicle, as well as content streaming via the company’s latest multimedia system and remote open/starting via a smartphone.
On the safety front, a full suite of driver-assist safety systems will be fitted including 10 airbags, while the chassis frame structure is said to be exceptionally high in torsional stiffness and features a world-first B-pillar design to provide better side-impact protection.
And last but not least, let’s not forget the EV9’s surprising towing capability – which maxes out to 2500kg.
This matches today’s existing electric tow champion in Australia, the BMW iX M60 that starts from $222,900 before on-road costs – and puts it ahead of all Teslas, Mercedes-Benzes, Audis, Polestars, Volvos and more currently on sale here.
And even on a global scale, the Kia is beaten only by the likes of the ever-delayed Tesla Cybertruck (3401kg to 6350kg depending on grade), as well as the Rivian R1T (4990kg), Ford F-150 Lightning (3493-4536kg), Lordstown Endurance (3629kg), Rivian R1S (3492kg) and GMC Hummer EV (3402kg).
Note that, like the EV9, only the Rivian R1S is an SUV, with the rest being large pick-up trucks. For many Australians, that alone is worth the price of entry.
With that anticipated $100K-plus pricing, is the EV9 abandoning core brand pillars of affordability and value, or forging ahead with design and engineering innovation regardless of social positioning?
Here’s what Kia Motors President and CEO, Ho Sung Song, says about that.
“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities,” he stated.
“Created to meet the needs of all family members, the EV9 also spearheads Kia’s rapid transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider, not just by its advanced EV architecture, but also through the numerous recycled and sustainable materials used in its creation.”
Stay tuned, as more EV9 information will drop soon.
Keyword: Best EV for towing? 2024 Kia EV9 electric car's surprising facts revealed, including the extended range, clever packaging and other innovations