Brand-New 2024 Kia EV9
Kia made a big splash in the electric vehicle market when it introduced the EV6 a few years ago. Now the Korean company takes the wraps off its next dedicated EV — the brand-new EV9. The EV9 is a midsize 3-row SUV and will be one of the largest EVs on the road when it arrives later this year.
Family EV SUV
“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities,” said Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song. “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,” Song observed.
Single or Dual Motor
Kia will offer the EV9 with a single motor driving the rear wheels or as a dual-motor variant with all-wheel drive. The single-motor EV9 with a standard-range battery produces 201 horsepower, with output bumping up to 227 horsepower with an extended-range battery. The dual-motor EV9 comes with the extended battery standard and generates a healthy 380 horsepower, which should move this big EV to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6 seconds.
Range and Charging
The new EV9 is built on the company’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which underpins the popular EV6. Two batteries will be available: a standard 76.1 kWh battery is available only on single-motor EV9s, while the extended battery puts out 99.8 kWh and is available on single or dual-motor variants. The driving range will be as high as 336 miles, and with the 800-volt charging system the EV9 can gain about 150 miles in just 15 minutes of charge time.
SUV Capability
Kia engineers endeavored to make the EV9 a proper sport-utility vehicle with all the utility expected of an SUV. The EV9 is rated with a 5,000-pound towing capacity and features an Auto Terrain mode that enhances its ability to handle off-pavement adventures.
Vehicle to Load
Like the EV6, the new EV9 can provide power externally, adding to the vehicle’s versatility. The EV9 can deliver up to 3.68 kW of energy — ideal for powering anything from laptops to camping equipment. With enough charge, the EV9 can provide power to a house during a power outage.
Standout Design
The EV9 has a distinctive look that separates it from any other model on the road, while still retaining some familiar Kia design elements. Up front is what Kia calls the “Digital Tiger Face,” a variation on the brand’s signature tiger nose grille. This design includes a wide body-color grille with small cube lamps that shine through the bodywork; the pattern can even be programmed for a unique look. These light cubes flow into the vertical headlights, with vertical running lights framing the whole front end.
SUV Proportions
The EV9’s silhouette features classic SUV lines, similar to the brand’s gas-powered Telluride. The roof draws a flat line from the top of the windshield to the spoiler over the rear window. Large fenders feature geometric wheel arches that add to the bold design, along with stylish, aerodynamic wheels. And even though it possesses a boxy appearance, the EV9 features a convex shape at the front and concave at the rear, which works with the sealed underbody to create a very low 0.28 coefficient of drag. Active air curtains integrated into the front bumper further improve aerodynamics.
Clean Interior
The cabin of the 2024 Kia EV9 is kept simple with very few physical buttons. The infotainment system and driver display are integrated into one large curved screen that seems to float on the dashboard. LED lighting enhances the premium feeling of the passenger space.
Configurable Seating
The Kia EV9 has a spacious interior thanks to a flat floor throughout the cabin. The brand will offer the EV9 in 6- or 7-seat options with multiple seat configurations available. The second row can be ordered as a 3-passenger bench seat or two independent swiveling seats allowing second-row passengers to interact with those in the third row. The SUV’s front seats recline, offering a comfortable spot to relax while the vehicle is charging.
Sustainable Materials
Not only is the EV9 designed to be good for the environment, designers have also ensured that the interior materials are sustainable. As part of the brand’s Design Sustainability Strategy, leather trim is being phased out in favor of materials that offer the comfort of leather or textiles but are made from bio-based materials such as corn, sugar cane and natural oils. Kia hopes to increase the proportion of recycled plastic use to 20 percent by 2030.
Level 3 Autonomy
Kia will offer the EV9 with the brand’s Highway Driving Pilot system, which utilizes 15 sensors to scan and detect objects 360 degrees around the vehicle. With this system, Kia expects to have Level 3 autonomous driving available in specific markets, allowing the driver to take a break from driving. This feature will initially be offered in the top-level EV9 GT-Line only.
High Performance?
Kia has already begun developing a high-performance variant of the EV9 — the EV9 GT. This more powerful version will be released in early 2025.
Coming Soon
The 2024 Kia EV9 will make its North American debut at the 2023 New York Auto Show, where more specifics about the American-spec version will be released. Expect the EV9 to be available for purchase later this year.
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