Kia’s new EV9 large electric SUV moves the maker into uncharted territory.
The brand’s newest machine shows just how far its image has shifted in a few short years. Gone are the days of cheap and cheerful cars and in its place are well equipped, hi-tech machines with higher pricetags.
The seven-seat EV9 will be the brand’s flagship model and likely its most expensive, eclipsing the $139,990 EV6 GT electric performance sedan launched earlier this year. It’s expected to arrive in New Zealand later this year.
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A giant 99.8kWh battery powers the rear-wheel drive long-range and all-wheel drive versions of the EV9. A smaller 76.1kWh battery is used in the base rear-wheel drive standard range variant. This enormous battery is a big reason the vehicle is likely to be so expensive.
The two rear-wheel drive versions use a single electric motor to produce 150kW/350Nm in the long range and 160kW/350Nm in the standard range.
The dual motor all-wheel drive variant makes a combined 283kW and 600Nm. It can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds.
Kia hasn’t revealed the official driving range but is targeting a range of more than 541km for the long range version. This would mean the other variants would be somewhere in the 450km range.
The EV9 is built on the company’s modular electric car platform that has spawned the EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, as well as the Genesis GV60.
This platform allows super fast charging - Kia claims the EV9 can add 239km of range in 15 minutes.
An EV-only architecture brings a number of layout benefits including a long wheelbase, low window line and a completely flat floor, which translates into an airy, light filled cavernous cabin.
Kia is following in Tesla’s footsteps by allowing owners to update features over-the-air, like a smartphone.
There will be extensive use of sustainable materials made out of corn, sugar cane and natural oils. Kia is also planning to phase out leather and the company wants to use 20 per cent recycled plastics by 2030.
It’s a bold, brash and brawny looking SUV, too. It features chunky styling with broad shoulders and a boxy silhouette. As with other electric vehicles, it has no front grille and maintains Kia signature design elements such as vertical headlights and “Tiger Nose” front end.
The EV9 will have a streamlined dash with two 12.3-inch displays and minimal physical buttons or dials.
One screen will contain the infotainment and the other the driver’s instruments. Kia says the infotainment screen will contain a five-inch segment dedicated to vehicle controls, making up for the lack of buttons and knobs.
