Why the Kia EV9 Could Shake Up Electric SUVs
Kia is making bold claims about its flagship electric vehicle, the EV9 SUV. The Korean automaker says it’s not just the best electric SUV, but that it’s superior to all SUVs, regardless of what powers them.
It certainly has a lot going for it, from its attractive boxy exterior to its posh-looking interior, or from its Nürburgring-honed handling to the impressive range from its big battery. It’s a testament to Kia’s remarkable journey upmarket that started in the early 2000s, and it should prove highly successful for the automaker.
Variants and Performance Specs
Thanks to the EV9’s long 122-inch (3.1-meter) wheelbase, Kia was able to slot in a big 99.8 kWh battery pack, the biggest it’s ever put in one of its EVs. This gives the Long Range rear-wheel drive model a range of 338 miles (544 kilometers) according to the WLTP test cycle, an excellent number for such a big vehicle.
The Standard Range model comes with a smaller 76.1 kWh battery that will provide around 20 percent less range, but it will also make the vehicle lighter and cheaper. This should make this variant appeal to those who want a big family hauler but don’t plan to take it on long cross-country road trips.
With 201 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) on tap, the least powerful version of the EV9, the Long Range RWD model, needs 9.4 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 km/h); it’s this variant that achieves the maximum range.
Next up is a version with a 215-hp version of the same motor and an unchanged torque figure. Thanks to the extra oomph, it drops the sprint time to 8.2 seconds. However, if you want meaningful performance out of your EV9, then you will have to opt for the dual-motor all-wheel drive model, whose output is 378 hp and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm), allowing it to sprint to 62 mph in exactly 6 seconds.
Kia will reportedly also offer a boost function that will unlock some extra torque from the motors, but this might be available only through a monthly subscription plan. It will increase peak torque to 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) and drop the acceleration time to 62 mph to 5.3 seconds.
Speedy Charging and V2L Functionality
Thanks to the 800-volt E-GMP platform developed with advanced technology from Rimac (which makes one ofthe quickest accelerating production cars ever), the EV9 can replenish 150 miles (241 km) of range in just 15 minutes. The manufacturer has not revealed what the peak rate of charge will be for the EV9, but the E-GMP platform on which it’s built is known to be able to take up to 350 kW.
Just likeother E-GMP-based vehicles like the Kia EV6, the EV9 comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality thanks to an Integrated Charger Control Unit (ICCU) that can provide up to 3.6 kW of power. This should come in handy when you’re out camping or in any applications where you need a huge mobile power bank.
Level 3 Autonomous Driving
There aredifferent levels of driving automation. Kia says the EV9 is capable of Level 3 autonomous driving, which basically means the vehicle can fully drive itself, although it still requires the driver to stay attentive so that they could take control in an emergency.
The EV9 can self-drive thanks to an array of 15 sensors, two LiDARs, and cameras that can see all around the vehicle. This feature will be available at launch in markets where its use is legally permitted, like the United States.
Cavernous and Practical Interior
Kia didn’t give the EV9 its boxy design just to make it look rugged and cool. It needed to be this upright in order for its interior to be spacious for passengers sitting in any of its three rows of seats.
Not only does it have seating for up to seven passengers, but the EV9 also has unique swiveling seats in the second row. This basically means they can turn 180 degrees and face the rearmost row, giving the back part of the cabin a more lounge-like feel.
You will be able to choose from six different interior design combinations that Kia says have a big impact on how you perceive the cabin. The lighter gray tones of more luxury-minded variants will be quite different from the darker and sportier-feeling interior of an EV9 in GT line trim.
Unlike in most other three-row vehicles, where passengers in the rearmost row get hardly any toys or comfort features, in the EV9 you may kit the third row with power-reclining seats and climate vents. The side windows are large, providing much better outward visibility when compared to other similar vehicles, and contribute to making the third row a surprisingly pleasant place to travel in.
The EV9 Should Be a Success for Kia
With its combination of powerful specs, bold design, and a long warranty that is typical for Kia vehicles, the EV9 seems to tick all the boxes that will make it a huge success. We don’t know how much it costs yet, but it’s believed that the base model will start at under $60,000 when it reaches the US in late 2023.
It’s also based on one of the most advanced electric vehicle platforms in existence, so few other vehicles will be able to match its charging speed. With the bigger battery and the extra range that it provides, it will prove comfortable and surefooted for longer journeys.
One big draw is the fact that it offers three rows of seating. There aren’t that many three-row EVs currently available, and the EV9 will be among the most affordable of such vehicles, further boosting its appeal.
If you don’t like the EV9’s design, there is also a Hyundai equivalent model in the works, the Ioniq 7. This should debut sometime in 2024 with almost identical specs but a completely different body and interior.
If you’re in the market for a new SUV, why not consider an electric model?
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