Much like it did with the launch of the award-winning Telluride SUV a few years back, Kia is turning heads with the edgy new all-electric EV9.
First shown in concept form at the 2021 LA Auto Show, the South Korean carmaker lifted the covers just a little last month to give us a sense of what the production model would look like. Now, the three-row SUV is making its formal debut at the 2023 New York International Auto Show.
Kia has kept much of the original show car’s distinctive look — known inside the company’s styling studios as the “Opposites United” design language. But the Big Apple introduction shifts the focus to the 2024 Kia EV9’s features and capabilities.
Despite its size, EV9 delivers an estimated 300 miles range. It also promises sporty performance, with a twin-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain capable of launching it from 0 to 60 in just 5 seconds. It has solid towing capacity. And it can charge reasonably quickly for an EV. The three-row package also will offer a wide assortment of tech features, including a new, hands-free driving system. And owners may soon be able to add even more functionality much like they download new apps on a smartphone.
“With the launch of the EV9, we are incorporating our experience in producing brilliantly designed, best-in-class SUVs with our deep expertise in developing the industry’s leading EVs,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia North America and Kia America. “The EV9 is a credible, high-value SUV that encapsulates our approach to bringing innovative, consumer-focused products to market with a serious commitment to electrification.”
New EV, same design language
The new EV9 adheres the brand’s new-ish “Opposites United” design language, which encourages the use of the hard lines and smooth shapes. It allows for unique, non-formulaic designs — simply look at the differences between the popular EV6 and the EV9.
“I’m really happy with the way we have used (Kia’s) ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy bringing two contrasting things together, creating some harmony, but also some tension,” Kurt Kahl, the design chief for the EV9, told TheDetroitBureau.com in an interview.
“You can see how we expressed that in the body side. There’s a human feel to it, almost looks like it’s been massaged. And then you’ve got these almost crystalline, angular fender elements that creates this feeling of capability and ruggedness and balances the soft shapes nicely to create this dynamic tension.”
That tension and ruggedness inspires some comparisons to its gas-powered sibling, the Telluride. At the front of the EV9 is the Tiger Face, a reinterpretation of the Kia “Tiger Nose” grille that highlights depth and dimensionality, flanked by slim LED headlights. And, like its off-road-ish family member, it’s designed to be an adventure taking machine. It’s slightly longer than the Telluride with plenty of room for people and things.
The production EV also has small lights built in. And owners will be able to choose from a variety of different lighting patterns using the in-car infotainment system.
The “Opposites United” theme becomes more readily apparent from a side view. Crisply angular design elements framed the 19-inch, low-drag wheels, but the overall body is smoothly sculpted, with only a hint of an accent line. EV9’s roof is long and flat, to maximize passenger headroom, and features the longest integrated spoiler of any Kia model. Unlike most current, all-electric SUVs, the three-row model also integrates a rear wiper.
Plenty of performance
Just like the aforementioned EV6, the EV9 sits on the E-GMP platform. However, it is the first model to use Kia’s fourth-generation battery technology designed for improved energy density. It’s available with a choice of two powertrain options. Standard is a 76.1-kWh battery with a 160-kW, or 215-horsepower, motor that drives the rear wheels.
An optional 99.8-kWh battery will be available in a single-motor configuration targeting 300 miles of all-electric range, or a dual-motor, 379-hp torque vectoring all-wheel-drive configuration with 516 pound-feet of torque. The 215-hp motor propells it from 0 to 62 mph in 8.2 seconds while the 379-hp version does it in just 6 seconds. It will also tow 5,000 pounds.
The EV9 will offer four drive modes at launch on all trims: Eco, Normal, Sport and My Mode.
With an 800-volt electrical architecture the EV9 can add as much as 150 miles of range in just 15 minutes. Kia is “currently developing a high-performance version of EV9.” Song added, which will debut in 2025.
Next-level autonomous driving
The GT also will bring to production the new Lidar-based Highway Driving Pilot system. In technical terms, it will permit Level 3 autonomy which would allow a motorist not only to drive hands-free but also watch videos, text or otherwise turn attention away from the road — though they would need to remain at the ready to retake controls, if needed.
The semi-autonomous system will be one of the many different digital technologies Kia plans to offer on EV9, officials noted. In some instances, owners will be able to add features they might not have chosen at the time of purchase. Other features may be introduced later, he explained, adding that, they will be offered either as a one-time purchase or on a subscription basis.