The Kia EV9 was officially launched by Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto, at The Exchange TRX today. The eye-catching big electric SUV is the main star of the Kia Exclusive Showcase, which will be at the mall’s Central Exchange from tomorrow till this Sunday, June 16.
The 2024 World Car of The Year will be offered in two fully-imported (CBU) variants, both in GT-Line guise and with the same powertrain. The difference is in the number of seats – the seven-seater is priced at RM369,668 on-the-road without insurance while the one with six seats goes for RM374,668. A five-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000-km battery warranty is included.
The EV9 for Malaysia comes with a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup rated at 385 PS (283 kW) and 700 Nm. This hauls the big SUV from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Top speed is 200 km/h.
A 99.8-kWh lithium-ion battery supplies WLTP range of 505 km. The max DC charging rate is 350 kW, so a 10-80% state of charge can be reached in just 24 minutes in the best case scenario. Max AC charging is is 11 kW, with a full charge requiring 10.5 hours. There’s also a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system that can output 3.58 kW to electrical accessories and devices.
Equipment-wise, both variants are nearly identical and come standard with 21-inch alloys, cube-design automatic LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights, rear LED fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, a sunroof, a powered tailgate and all-around parking sensors. Interestingly, we’re also getting cameras in place of traditional side mirrors – the video feed is shown on dedicated displays near the A-pillars.
The kit list continues with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a rear-view mirror that doubles as a display for a rear camera, selectable drive modes, paddles to control regenerative braking, a head-up display, three-zone climate control (dual-zone front, single-zone rear) with all-row vents, leatherette seat upholstery, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and a 14-speaker Meridian sound system.
Click to enlarge
As for safety and driver assistance systems, the EV9 comes with seven airbags (dual front, sides, curtains and centre side), a surround view monitor, the usual array of passive systems (ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control, ESC), hill start assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, brake auto hold, rear occupant alert, safe exit assist and ISOFIX child seat anchors for the second and third row.
No shortage of ADAS either, including High Beam Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (front, rear and side), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, Lane Following Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
The last system is can engage autonomous emergency braking or provide steering assistance to avoid or mitigate collisions when dealing with junction turning/crossing, oncoming traffic lane changes, oncoming traffic and side lane changes.
Click to enlarge spec sheet
As you can see, the EV9 we’re getting is very well stocked with kit regardless of variant, so the only thing left for you to decide is how many seats. Go with the seven-seat option and you get a 60:40 split-folding bench in the second row with one-touch sliding function.
With the costlier six-seater, you get two individual Relaxion seats that are powered and come with ottomans. The difference is RM5,000, which isn’t very significant for a car at this price level.
It should be noted the front seats on both variants are Premium Relaxion units that come with power adjustment in addition to massaging, ventilation and heating functions – memory is only for the driver’s seat.
Click to enlarge price list
By the way, the EV9 is Kia’s second EV to be based on the E-GMP with an 800V architecture to be sold here after the EV6. It’s not just obviously more square in design, it’s much larger too at 5,015 mm long, 1,980 mm wide and 1,780 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,100 mm.
Buyers will have five colours to choose from, including Snow White Pearl, Pebble Grey, Aurora Black Pearl, Iceberg Green and the Ocean Blue you see here. It’s visually arresting, jaw-dropping even, but if the EV9 is too big or too expensive for you, wait for the smaller EV5, which we’ve detailed here. Last month, Kia unveiled the compact EV3, and all have the same design theme.
So, what do you think of the EV9 and Kia’s EV design language? Check it out at TRX.
Dinamikjaya Motors, a subsidiary of Bermaz Auto, today launched the Kia EV9, which will be offered in two fully-imported (CBU) variants, both in GT-Line guise and with the same powertrain. The difference is in the number of seats, with the more affordable option being a seven-seater priced at RM369,668 on-the-road without insurance. Meanwhile, the second variant of the brand’s fully electric flagship SUV comes with six seats and goes for RM374,668.
Included with each purchase is a five-year, 150,000-km vehicle warranty as well as an eight-year, 160,000-km battery warranty. Buyers will have five colours to choose from, including Ocean Blue, Snow White Pearl, Pebble Grey, Aurora Black Pearl and Iceberg Green.
As mentioned at the start, the EV9 line-up in Malaysia use the same powertrain, which is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup rated at 385 PS (380 hp or 283 kW) and 700 Nm. This is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds and top speed of 200 km/h.
The range figure is identical too at 505 km following the WLTP standard. This is thanks to a 99.8-kWh lithium-ion battery that supports DC charging (CCS2) at a max capacity of 350 kW, so a 10-80% state of charge can be reached in just 24 minutes. Alternatively, there’s slower AC charging (Type 2) at a peak of 11 kW, with a full charge requiring 10.5 hours. A vehicle-to-load (V2L) system is also present that is capable of outputting up to 3.58 kW to power electrical accessories and devices.
Equipment-wise, both variants are nearly identical and come standard with 21-inch alloy wheels, cube-design automatic LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED taillights, rear LED fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, a sunroof, a powered tailgate and all-around parking sensors. Interestingly, we’re also getting cameras in place of traditional side mirrors, with the video feed shown on dedicated displays near the A-pillars inside the vehicle.
The list continues with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a rear-view mirror that doubles as a display for a rear camera, selectable drive modes, paddle shifters to control regenerative braking, a head-up display, three-zone climate control (dual-zone front, single-zone rear) with all-row vents, leatherette seat upholstery, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and a 14-speaker Meridian sound system.
As for safety and driver assistance systems, the EV9 come with seven airbags (dual front, sides, curtains and centre side), a surround view monitor, the usual array of passive systems (ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control, ESC), hill start assist, a tyre pressure monitoring system, brake auto hold, rear occupant alert, safe exit assist and ISOFIX child seat anchors for the second and third row.
No shortage of ADAS either, including High Beam Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (front, rear and side), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, Lane Following Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
The last system is can engage autonomous emergency braking or provide steering assistance to avoid or mitigate collisions when dealing with junction turning/crossing, oncoming traffic lane changes, oncoming traffic and side lane changes.
2024 Kia EV9 spec sheet; click to enlarge
As you can tell, the EV9 we’re getting is pretty well equipped regardless of variant, so the only thing you need to decide is how many seats you need. Go with the cheaper seven-seat option and you get a 60:40 split-folding bench in the second row with one-touch sliding function. With the more expensive six-seat variant, you get two individual Relaxion seats that are powered and come with ottomans.
It should be noted the front seats on both variants are Premium Relaxion units that come with power adjustment in addition to massaging, ventilation and heating functions – memory is only for the driver’s seat.
2024 Kia EV9 price list; click to enlarge
Another notable aspect of the EV9 is it is the second Kia EV based on the E-GMP with an 800V architecture to be sold here after the EV6. It is much bigger than its stablemate, measuring in at 5,015 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall and with a wheelbase spanning 3,100 mm.
With all said and done, what do you think of the Kia EV9? With RM5,000 being the price gap between the six- and seven-seat variants, which one would you go for? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Kia Malaysia has announced on its official Facebook page that it is now accepting bookings for the Kia EV9. The company is not providing further details like the list of available variants and pricing for now, but a check with some dealers indicate there will six- and seven-seat variants, pricing is expected to be around RM450k and a launch might take place in May (take all this info with a pinch of salt for now).
The arrival of the EV9 has been looked forward to after a unit was spotted in Glenmarie, Selangor last August. We managed to get up close with the brand’s flagship electric SUV recently at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) as well as at this year’s Singapore Motorshow. When it launches here, the EV9 will join the EV6 and Niro EV in Kia Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) line-up.
In Thailand, the EV9 is offered in two variants, both with a 99.8-kWh lithium-ion battery that can DC fast charge at a max of 350 kW – a 10-80% state of charge (SoC) takes 24 minutes. There’s also AC charging (Type 2) that will take nine hours and 45 minutes to get from the same 10-80% SoC, along with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system capable of outputting up to 3.58 kW to power electrical accessories and devices.
The base option is the Earth Long Range with 680 km of range (NEDC) and a rear-mounted electric motor rated at 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) and 350 Nm of torque for a 0-100 km/h time of 9.4 seconds and top speed of 185 km/h. Meanwhile, the top-spec GT-Line AWD gets a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup with a total system output of 385 PS (380 hp or 283 kW) and 700 Nm – century sprint in 5.3 seconds, Vmax of 200 km/h and 647 km range (NEDC).
Both variants of the Thailand-spec EV9 come with a 2-2-2 seat layout, although the entry-level Earth Long Range has manually adjustable seats that swivel in the second row, while the GT-Line AWD comes with relaxation seats that don’t swivel but are electrically adjustable and come with heating, ventilation, ottoman and massaging functions. The seven-seat version (2-3-2 layout) of the EV9 has a bench in the second row with one-touch tilt and slide.
Singapore gets the EV9 in GT-Line guise with the AWD powertrain (WLTP-rated 512 km range) and a choice of swivel or relaxation seats. In other markets, the SUV is also available with a standard-range 76.1-kWh battery and a rear electric motor rated at 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) and 350 Nm.
With the start of order taking for the EV9, it shouldn’t be too long before the SUV is officially launched here. Looking forward to it?
GALLERY: Kia EV9 at 2024 Bangkok International Motor Show
The Kia EV9 was launched in Singapore during the recent Singapore Motorshow and is priced at SGD289,999 (around RM1 million) without COE (A1 banding). Offered in a sole GT-Line trim, the brand’s fully electric flagship SUV is strictly a six-seater with a 2-2-2 layout, although customers can have two options for the second-row captain chairs.
The one you see here is with swivel seats, which can be rotated 180 degrees to the right to face the third row – it also can be rotated 90 degrees to the left. Alternatively, buyers can also opt for relaxation seats (the default option) that can be reclined further than the swivel seats. All seats are upholstered in vegan leather, with those at the front being powered and with heating and ventilation functions.
As for the rest of the equipment, the EV9 comes with 19-inch aero wheels, LED exterior lighting, a sunroof, an illuminated grille with pixel-like pattern, retractable door handles, digital side mirrors, a head-up display, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen system (with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), a head-up display, climate control with second- and third-row air vents, a wireless charging pad, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system and a powered tailgate.
Safety and driver assistance systems include eight airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Driver Steering Assist, Auto Evasive Steering Assist, blind spot monitoring and collision avoidance, lane keep assist with follow assist, a surround view monitor as well as autonomous emergency braking.
In terms of the powertrain, the EV9 has a 99.8-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery providing a range of up to 512 km following the WLTP standard. Both AC and DC charging are available, the former at up to 11 kW (10-80% state of charge in eight hours and seven minutes), while the latter goes up to 350 kW (10-80% SoC in 24 minutes).
The battery powers a pair of electric motors – one on each axle for all-wheel drive – rated at 385 PS (380 hp or 283 kW) and 700 Nm of torque. This allows the big SUV to get from 0-100 km/h in six seconds on its way to a top speed of 200 km/h. We say big because the EV9 measures 5,015 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall and its wheelbase spans 3,100 mm.
The EV9 first made its Southeast Asian launch debut in Indonesia back in August last year and is expected to be launched in Malaysia soon based on a local sighting in the same month. Are you looking forward to the EV9’s arrival here?
Indonesia is the first Southeast Asian market to welcome the Kia EV9, which first made its global debut back in March this year. The large, all-electric SUV, which is built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), is being offered in a sole GT-Line variant that is priced at 1.975 billion/miliar rupiah (RM594,888).
In GT-Line guise, the three-row EV9 measures 5,015 mm long, 1,980 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 3,100 mm. With these figures, the EV9 is much larger than the Hyundai Palisade (also sold in Indonesia and the cousin to the Telluride), which is 4,980 mm long, 1,975 mm wide, 1,750 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm.
Power is provided by a lithium-ion battery with a usable energy capacity of 99.8 kWh (105 kWh gross), with the quoted range being 497 km following the WLTP cycle. The Long Range battery is connected to two electric motors – one for each axle – that provide a total system output of 385 PS (380 hp or 283 kW) and 600 Nm of torque. Despite weighing in at around 2.6 tonnes, the GT-Line will get from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds.
For charging, there’s an 11-kW onboard charger that will fully charge the battery in 10 hours and 45 minutes. With DC fast charging at the max of 250 kW, a 10-80% state of charge is achieved in just 23 minutes thanks to the 800-volt electrical architecture. There’s also a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system capable of outputting 3.68 kW to power appliances.
This GT-Line variant of the EV9 is differentiated from the Air and Earth by its specific front end that features a sportier bumper design with more black trim and prominent air inlets. There are also rugged rocker panels on the sides and the rear bumper has a different bottom trim as well.
Other exterior bits worth mentioning are the 21-inch wheels and cameras in place of conventional side mirrors, with the latter sending a live video feed to monitors mounted on the top of door cards inside the vehicle.
On that mention, the cabin has room for six passengers split across its three rows, with the second row having two powered Relaxation Seats with Dynamic Body Care massaging functions. Ventilation and heating functions are also available for the first- and second-row seats, with the former also being electrically adjustable units.
Other features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system which flank a smaller 5-inch screen that serves to display current climate settings. The Indonesian-spec EV9 also comes with a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, dual panoramic sunroofs, a head-up display, a wireless charging pad, ambient lighting and a full complement of advanced driver assistance systems.
These include Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (AEB) with Junction Turning and Crossing, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot View Monitor, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Highway Driving Assist and Highway Driving Pilot.
While Indonesia is the first Southeast Asian country to get the EV9, back home in Malaysia, the all-electric SUV was recently spotted in Glenmarie, suggesting we might get it as well. How much do you think it will be priced at here?
Kia is steadily growing its range of fully electric vehicles, and Kia Malaysia appears set to add to its EV model range as well, with this sighting of the Kia EV9 in Glenmarie, Selangor courtesy of the Route Hunters Instagram page. This would appear to be brought in by Kia Malaysia themselves, too, as suggested by the piece of paper stating “Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd” attached to the rear of the vehicle.
First officially unveiled in March this year, the EV9 is a three-row battery-electric SUV that accommodates either six or seven seats, with second-row seats that can swivel 180 degrees to face the occupants of the third row.
This is one of four seating options available for the second row, with other options being the three-seater bench, the basic and the relaxation-type seats; time will tell which of these will come to the Malaysian market.
Based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture that also underpins the EV6, this is an EV to take up the brand’s flagship role and has the size to match, measuring 5,010 mm long, 1,980 mm wide and with a wheelbase of 3,100 mm. Notably, its wheelbase is 200 mm longer than that of the US-market Kia Telluride.
A drag coefficient of 0.28 is claimed for the EV9, which is impressive given its size and upright shape; its aerodynamic properties were achieved through the use of Kia’s first-ever 3D-sculpted underbody cover, featuring a convex shape at the front and a concave shape at the rear, along with aerodynamic wheels and air curtains integrated into the front bumper.
The exterior of this EV9 shows the use of exterior cameras in place of conventional mirrors. Its adoption in the Malaysian market hasn’t been a given, as another Korean EV, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 was launched locally with conventional mirrors instead of the live camera feed setup offered in other markets.
As of March, the EV9 is offered in three variants – the RWD Standard, RWD Long Range and AWD. The RWD Standard serves as the base variant with a 76.1 kWh battery, while the other two variants receive the larger 99.8 kWh battery.
The RWD Long Range offers up to 541 km of range on a single charge on the WLTP testing standard, and being built with an 800-volt electrical architecture, the EV9 can be recharged to gain 239 km of range in around 15 minutes. Conversely the EV9 can also supply electricity, with its vehicle-to-load (V2L) facility offering up to 3.68 kW for devices such as laptops, or camping equipment.
Global specifications indicate that the EV9 comes equipped with with a digital instrument panel and infotainment system display, each measuring 12.3 inches across. Its infotainment setup has an EV mode, which displays and offers control of all EV-specific information and functions on a single page.
Advanced driver assistance systems in the EV9 come courtesy of the Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system, which offers conditional Level 3 autonomous driving. This brings 15 sensors including two Lidar units, enabling the EV9 to detect and react to the road and other road users to avoid collisions.
The Kia EV9, first unveiled earlier this month, has been given a full world premiere, albeit online. The electric SUV is currently on display at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show and will head stateside next month for the New York International Auto Show. There are quite a lot of firsts here, so it’s more than just another EV SUV, but a landmark model and flagship for the Korean carmaker.
“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities. 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,” said Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Song.
Kia says that with the EV9, it is bringing fresh thinking, design, and technology to the sector. It “pushes boundaries of what an EV can deliver” and “comfortably exceeds the benchmark of SUVs and EVs,” declared Chang Sung Ryu, Kia’s head of global brand. Sounds like a big deal all right. Let’s dig deeper together.
Previewed by a concept of the same name in late 2021 and based on Hyundai-Kia’s flexible Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the three-row SUV measures 5,010 mm long and 1,980 mm wide, with a wheelbase length of 3,100 mm. The EV9 is very big family car with a footprint that’s larger than even the US-market Kia Telluride, which wheelbase is 200 mm shorter. Maximum wheel size, as seen here, is 21 inches.
The EV9’s design is guided by the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy and is fronted by a ‘Digital Tiger Face’, the latest iteration of the brand’s ‘tiger nose’. The face features a ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’ and vertical headlamps, along with two clusters of small cube lamps adjacent to each headlamp. The ‘Star Map’ LED daytime running lights create an animated lighting pattern that we’ll also see on Kia’s future EVs. The three-branch rear signature is very unique too.
Kia’s head of global design Karim Habib gave an example of the ‘Opposites United’ design contrast at the virtual launch. The ex-BMW designer pointed to the EV9’s aggressive fender flares, which sport very sharp lines, triangular shapes and a precise look. On the opposite end is the car’s ‘fuselage’, which is very simple – the space between the wheels has only two surfaces.
Habib said that the clean sides work well with the low beltline, which is unusual for an SUV, but deliberately chosen for good visibility and a great impression of space. Actually, a low beltline (and big windows) on an SUV reminds me of the BMW iX, although the EV9’s long body and proportions are much easier on the eye. Also deliberate is the straight roof; again, this is to maximise space for all rows.
The EV9 may be a big, squarish SUV, but its aerodynamic coefficient is impressive at 0.28. The Cd figure was achieved through the several features such as Kia’s first-ever 3D-sculpted underbody cover – which features a convex shape at the front and a concave shape at the rear – aerodynamic wheels and air curtains integrated into the front bumper.
There’s also a GT-line variant of the EV9, which gets unique front and rear bumpers (more prominent lower grille with vertical vents), wheels, and roof rack. You’ll also find more black trim and the above-mentioned ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’.
Moving inside, the EV9’s can be had with six or seven seats in three rows. There are four seating options for the second row, including a three-seater bench, basic-type, relaxation-type, and two swivel-type independent seats. The latter swivels 180 degrees to enable face-to-face conversations with those in the third row, who also have charging points and cup holders.
Front occupants get relaxation seats, as seen locally in the Hyundai Ioniq 5. If specified with second row relaxation seats, four occupants can recline together while the SUV is charging – the EV9 has enough space for that.
The wide and minimalist dashboard features what Kia calls a ‘Panoramic wide display’, which combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment system display. Between these two screens is a little one, a 5.0-inch segment display. More screens come in the form of digital side mirrors, giving you live feed of the exterior cameras at the edges of the dashboard.
A neat touch is the row of hidden touch buttons under central screen. For the start/stop function, infotainment system and climate controls, the buttons are integrated in the dashboard, possibly giving the best of both worlds between physical buttons and a clean look.
The EV9’s infotainment system has a new EV mode, which allows drivers to check and control all EV-specific information and functions on a single page. The feature also allows one to freely edit and configure the interface in a widget-style manner. Finally, notable user-friendly touches include a large base compartment at the centre console and mesh headrests for the front seats, which Kia says improve comfort and child monitoring.
Sustainability is a major focus for Kia, and the EV9 – as both the brand’s flagship model and flagship EV – is the carmaker’s first product to walk the talk, so to speak. Sustainable mobility goes beyond an EV’s zero tailpipe emissions, but also encompass the materials used in the vehicle’s construction.
The EV9 is the first model to embrace the Kia’s three-step Design Sustainability Strategy, initiated to phase out the use of leather, apply 10 ‘must-have’ sustainable items to all new Kia models and continuously increase the use of bio-based materials such as corn, sugar cane and natural oils. Kia’s target is to increase the proportion of recycled plastics it uses to 20% by 2030.
Marília Biill, Kia’s head of CMF Design (that’s colour, material and finish), said in the virtual press conference that the EV9 cabin is leather-free, and that its plant-based (corn extract) leather replacement offers the same durability and quality as hide. She added that each EV9 has 70 PET bottles worth of recycled plastic, and the total can go up to 100 bottles, depending on variant. The ultimate goal is biofabrication and Kia growing their own materials.
As for the cabin’s colour palette, Biill and her team drew inspiration from nature’s four core elements, namely light, air, earth, and water, to establish a connection with nature’s beauty. There are six different combinations, from a light modern grey to elegant natural tones and of course, a darker and more sporting theme for the GT-line.
The EV9 will be available in three variants – RWD Standard, RWD Long Range and AWD. The RWD Standard gets a 76.1 kWh battery while the other two are powered by a 99.8 kWh battery. The RWD Long Range comes with a 201 hp (150 kW)/350 Nm electric motor that pushes the big SUV from 0-100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. The same motor, in a more powerful 215 hp (160 kW)/350 Nm tune, gives the RWD Standard a 0-100 km/h time of 8.2 seconds.
The dual-motor AWD variant has a total power output of 380 hp (283 kW) and 600 Nm of torque, reducing the century sprint time to six seconds flat. That’s plenty fast for a big family SUV, but there’s more in the store, literally. Kia says that an optional Boost feature will be available for later purchase at the Kia Connect Store – with 700 Nm of twist, the 0-100 km/h time is slashed to 5.3 seconds.
The Korean carmaker wants EV9 customers “to spend as much time as possible on the road and as little as possible at the charging station, inspiring complete confidence in families to undertake lengthy road trips”. The RWD Long Range with base 19-inch wheels offers an estimated target range of over 541 km in the WLTP cycle. With a fast 800V charging system, the battery can be replenished with charge that’s good for 239 km in around 15 minutes, it’s claimed.
Speaking of road trips, the EV9 is a giant power bank with its vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, dispensing 3.68 kW of power for laptops or camping equipment.
One main highlight of the EV9 is its Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system, which Kia describes as “a significant step towards full autonomy”. That means conditional Level 3 autonomous driving, powered by 15 sensors, including two LiDARs. That army of sensors scan for and detect objects in a full 360-degree field of view, enabling the EV9 to detect and react to the road and other users to prevent collisions.
By providing intelligent, proactive, real-time assistance across a wide range of conditions, HDP will meet the criteria required to deliver SAE Level 3 autonomy in certain areas of the world, Kia says, adding that the EV9 enables the driver to temporarily take a break from controlling the vehicle. HDP will only be available with GT-line models. Further details will be revealed nearer to market availability.
Kia is touting over-the-air OTA updates and purchases. Besides the extra torque of the Boost feature, owners can also enhance the EV9’s Digital Pattern Lighting Grille with patterns from the Kia Connect Store. Another example is the Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) 2 feature, along with content streaming through the vehicle’s AV, navigation and telematics system.
RSPA 2 gives the EV9 ability to park itself without the need for driver intervention, whether in or out of the vehicle, with the driver initiating the procedure via a smart key called Digital Key 2. The key utilises ultra-wide band (UWB) technology and allows users to open and start their car via smartphone. A full ADAS suite and 10 airbags protect occupants.
The EV9’s frame incorporates the world’s first patent-pending B-pillar connection structure technology, which features an extended overlap between the crash barrier and side sill. Pre-orders for the Korean market will start in Q2 2023, and the EV9 will go on sale in selected global markets from the second half of the year. Kia is working on a high performance GT version of the EV9, which CEO Song says will be released in early 2025.
First unveiled as a concept in November 2021, the Kia EV9 has now been unveiled, bringing a three-row SUV to the Korean brand’s line-up of fully electric vehicles. As with the EV9 Concept and the production EV6, the EV9 is built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture, and the EV9 is offered in six- and seven-seat configurations.
Most of the EV9 Concept’s blocky silhouette has been carried over to the EV9, albeit with productionised details such as the revised headlamps, conventional exterior mirrors, door handles and more. Its ‘Digital Tiger Face’ has been adapted from the concept vehicle, where clusters of cube lamps reside next to the headlamps. Meanwhile, its wheels are a four-segment revision of the three-segment design on the concept.
Kia’s ‘Technology for Life’ pillar of its ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy promote values that are central to the creation of the EV9 interior, said the manufacturer, where space, technology and comfort for all passengers have been prioritised.
Inside, front- and second-row occupants can recline their seats at the same time to relax and rest while the EV9 is being charged. The second-row seats can be turned 180 degrees to face the third row, and the latter also offers its occupants cupholders and power outlets for charging mobile devices.
For infotainment, the EV9 combines two 12.3-inch touchscreens with a five-inch segment display for control of the vehicle’s functions, and to ensure “physical buttons are kept to a minimum.” Meanwhile, the centre console offers a spacious storage compartment at its base.
Located below the audio visual, navigation and telematics (AVNT) screen is an array of hidden touch buttons for accessing the stop/start functions along with controls for the air-conditioning.
Technical details for the EV9 have yet to be officially announced, which will come at the EV9’s world premiere later this month, according to Kia.
Its sharing of the E-GMP platform with the sleeker EV6 should mean that the EV9 could have the 800-volt electrical architecture that supports high rates of charging. Other EVs on the E-GMP platform include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Genesis GV60.
In the EV6, a battery of up to 77.4 kWh provides energy for a dual-motor powertrain that produces 577 hp and 740 Nm in GT guise; maximum performance figures from the GT are 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 260 km/h. Alternatively, a 2WD and long-range battery pairing in the EV6 yields a range of 510 km.
