Kia EV9 to change SUV game

THE three-row Kia EV9 electric large SUV is a new statement piece for the brand as it sets a new standard of luxury and refinement, and it will probably be the brand’s most expensive vehicle in Australia with an expected six-figure starting price.

Official pricing was released in South Korea earlier this month, with the entry-level EV9 priced from ₩78.1 million (around $A90,000), while the top-spec option is ₩112.4 million ($A130,000).

Variants destined for Australia are yet to be confirmed, but reports suggest we will receive at least three model options. 

Kia offers an entry-level rear-wheel drive EV9 with 76.1kWh battery, a single motor producing 160kW/350Nm and a range of 418km. A long-range battery option for the base model is also available, nudging the range up to 541km.

A top-spec GT Line dual-motor EV9, with 99.8kWh battery pack and a combined 283kW/600Nm distributed through all four wheels offers 497km of range. There is talk of a third middle-of-the-line option that could be either rear- or all-wheel drive, as well as a mooted high-performance GT flagship.

The EV9 is the largest vehicle to use the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP 800-volt battery electric vehicle platform, sharing its electric underpinnings with its EV6 sibling and other models including the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, as well as the Genesis GV60, showing how versatile the platform is.

Vehicle dimensions come in at 5010mm (length), 1755mm (height) and 1980mm (wide) with a wheelbase of 3100mm.

This equates to a spacious interior with three seating rows and a completely flat floor. With all seats in use, Kia claims that a substantial 571 litres of cargo space remains and that folding down the second and third row will open up a massive 2320 litres of storage space.

Spaciousness aside, Kia also offers the EV9 with second-row seats that can be turned a full 180 degrees to create a living room or meeting type environment for occupants. 

Kia says the EV9 has been designed with a family-friendly character, suitable for both short and long drives with enjoyment and engagement at the forefront.

In terms of tech, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 5.0-inch segment display, and 12.3-inch cluster come together to offer one large panoramic display, taking care of vehicle control and information delivery.

On the safety front the EV9 comes equipped with Kia’s Highway Driving Pilot technology, which the brand says is the most advanced version of the system yet and uses 15 sensors around the vehicle. 

The EV9 features vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing owners to access up to 3.68kW of mains-voltage power to charge laptops or operate just about anything that requires electricity. 

Vehicle to grid (V2G) capabilities will also be possible where locally supported, Kia confirmed, allowing customers to sell electricity back into the grid. 

While the EV9 has been locked in for Australia, arriving later this year, specific models and pricing are yet to be confirmed.