It was shown as a concept car less than two years ago, and now the Kia EV9 is almost here.
On Tuesday, a new flagship took shape as the design of the Kia EV9 was revealed. The automaker is doing more with less by revealing known features, paring down details and providing plenty of photos.
2024 Kia EV9
2024 Kia EV9
The EV9 will officially debut in late March, and its design remains faithful to the concept that debuted at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. The big, boxy exterior has some Telluride vibes, but carves out its own path with stamped panels and strong lines. The upright conservatory has a pronounced rise at the rear and has its own D-pillar design. As executives told Motor Authority, that’s 90 percent of the concept showcase. Even the four-spoke wheel design is similar, but not identical.
LED lighting on the front and back complete the signature look. According to Kia, the front daytime running lights create an animated lighting pattern that will set the stage for future Kia EVs.
2024 Kia EV9
2024 Kia EV9
2024 Kia EV9
2024 Kia EV9
Inside, the EV9 has the same elements as the electric EV6, giving it a familiar yet different feel. The dashboard features a 5.0-inch display flanked by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, all housed under a single pane of glass. Kia says the small screen is a display that “enhances the digital experience.” We see it used for driver profiles and climate control. Some hard buttons have been retained, but most functions seem to go to the screen, which is enhanced by touch-sensitive buttons.
Kia says the EV9 will offer seating for six or seven, with a second-row bench or available captain’s chairs. The captain’s chair can be swiveled 180 degrees, making it easier for second-row passengers to interact with third-row passengers. Judging by the photos, swiveling the second-row seats 90 degrees allows for easy entry and exit.
According to Kia, the first- and second-row seats recline, so passengers can relax while the EV9 charges. Both the second and third rows fold flat to create huge cargo space, but no measurements are available yet.
Hyundai Motor Group E-GMP Platform
EV9 will be based on the E-GMP platform. The dedicated EV platform features an 800-volt electrical architecture capable of bi-directional charging, vehicle-to-grid functionality and truly fast charging times.
At the 2022 New York Auto Show, Kia America’s COO Steven Center told MA that the EV9 will need a range of about 300 miles because that’s “the sweet spot or minimum range for a large vehicle.”
The price gap between the EV9 and Telluride is similar to the Niro EV and Niro Hybrid, or the EV6 and Sportage, Center said. That could put a $15,000 price difference between the EV9 and the Telluride, giving the EV9 a starting price of around $50,000.