Kia has unveiled the comprehensive details of its first-ever three-row electric flagship SUV, the Kia EV9. It embodies innovative design, technology, and sustainability, driving the brand’s swift transition towards a sustainable mobility solutions provider in the electrification era.
Built on the revolutionary Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9 promises dynamic performance and a targeted all-electric range exceeding 541 km2 as per the World Harmonized Light Vehicle Testing Procedure (WLTP). The 800-volt ultra-fast charging capability allows the EV9’s battery pack to regain sufficient charge to cover 239 km in about 15 minutes.
The EV9 features several technological advancements, including the Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system, which will be available in the future GT-line, allowing conditional Level 3 autonomous driving in selected markets. The Kia Connect Store allows customers to purchase digital features and services as needed, offering flexibility in choosing desired features and upgrading the EV9’s capabilities with Over the Air (OTA) updates anytime.
Ho Sung Song, Kia’s President and CEO, stated: “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.”
Pre-orders for the EV9 in the Korean market will commence in the second quarter of 2023, with sales in selected global markets starting in the second half of the year. Adhering to the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, the EV9 reimagines the all-electric SUV by striking a unique balance between natural and modern elements, with the ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar playing a crucial role in shaping the EV9’s design.
The exterior of the Kia EV9 exudes contemporary serenity befitting a sophisticated EV for a new era of sustainable mobility. Its overall length of 5,010 mm, 1,980 mm width, and 1,755-mm height4 showcase a bold, modern appearance while preserving its distinct character. The SUV offers a 3,100-mm wheelbase with 21-inch, 20-inch, or 19-inch wheels.
The EV9’s front showcases confidence, clarity, and calmness through its crisp lines and surfaces. The signature ‘Digital Tiger Face’ highlights its unique identity, emphasized by the ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’ and vertical headlamps, giving the EV9 a futuristic appearance. The Digital Tiger Face incorporates two clusters of small cube lamps beside each headlamp. The ‘Star Map’ LED daytime running lights (DRL) establish a refined animated lighting pattern, signifying Kia’s Digital Tiger Face for future EV models and offering a novel illumination experience.
Besides the standard model, Kia has revealed the GT-line model design, boasting a distinct aesthetic that sets it apart from the standard model. The front and rear bumpers, wheels, and roof rack have been redesigned, and the GT-line exhibits a prominent black color palette, exuding a powerful presence. The GT-line also features an exclusive ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’, enhancing its already striking design.
In addition to its eye-catching exterior, the EV9 delivers remarkable performance with an aerodynamic coefficient of 0.28. This achievement results from several cutting-edge features, such as Kia’s first-ever 3D-sculpted underbody cover with a convex shape at the front and a concave shape at the rear, aerodynamic wheels, and innovative air curtains integrated into the front bumper. These elements work together to ensure optimal airflow control, performance, and efficiency, providing an exhilarating driving experience.
The Kia EV9 caters to various needs, offering seven-seater and six-seater configurations and an array of second-row seat options. The first row features relaxation seats, ensuring a comfortable resting posture. The second row, a first among global EV models, provides four seating options: 3-seater bench seats, basic-type, relaxation-type, and swivel-type two-seater independent seats, granting customers a range of choices.
With the second-row relaxation seats, the EV9 permits first and second-row occupants to recline together while the SUV is charging. The swivel seat option lets the second-row seats rotate 180 degrees, facilitating conversations with third-row passengers. Third-row occupants are provided with charging points and cup holders.
Kia’s strategic commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable mobility – and its declared roadmap to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 – go beyond offering zero-emission EV drivetrains. They also encompass the materials used in vehicle construction, and the EV9 elevates this approach, employing eco-friendly materials to establish new benchmarks in sustainable mobility.