Kia reckons this big all-electric SUV is going to “reshape the way we move”. Given it measures in a over 5 metres long and nearly 2 metres wide and has all the subtlety of a Saracen tank, it’s not a shape that will suit many of those calling for an outright ban on SUVs. Even if it does run on electric.
It’s a further sign – if one were needed – that not only are the different continents adopting electric at different speeds, but they also have some significant differences in what they desire from a car.
This is a car designed with an eye to the great plains of north America or China, not the back roads of Ireland or side streets of Italy.
Yet given the popularity of SUVs, it should do well in these markets as well, particularly amongst those looking for a fully-fledged seven-seat SUV that sources its power from a plug socket.
The fact it’s a full EV – not some half-measure hybrid – will overcome many tendencies to scorn the arrival of another big SUV. And there’s clearly a ready market for it if Kia can get the price right when it lands in Ireland this autumn for 2024 sales. Demand is strong for a proper seven-seater and this Kia offers ample room for adults in every seat.
Powered by either a 76.1kWh or 99.8 kWh battery pack. The standard version with the smaller pack will come in 149kW rear-wheel-drive format, with a 0-100km/h time of 8.2 seconds. The Long Range and all-wheel drive versions of EV will feature the larger battery with either 149kW rear-wheel-drive or 282kW all-wheel drive formats.
Kia claims an official WLTP range of 541kms for the rear-wheel-drive long range version. Clearly it’s not going to set new records for range given its scale, but an official figure of over 500kms is impressive for a car of this size.
The company also claims that using an ultra-fast 800 Volt charging systems like Ionity, the vehicle’s battery pack can be replenished with sufficient charge to power the vehicle for 239 km in approximately 15 minutes.
A styling highlight in its styling is the new ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’. This features two clusters of small cube lamps within the bodywork adjacent to each headlamp. It can be adjusted to different formats – and it’s something you can expect to see on future Kia EVs.
As with virtually all modern cars, over-the-air updates will be a common feature with the EV9, so owners will be able to keep up to date with new features long after purchase.
Other tech include a semi-autonomous driving system that will enable significant hands-free driving thanks in part to 15 sensors, including two lots of Lidar and radar gathering data from the car’s surroundings to take advanced cruise control features to the next level.
Claiming this as an eco-friendly car is a bit of stretch, but Kia is making much of its move to phase out the use of leather and replacing as many of the components made of oil as it can.
Given its scale, SUV haters are gonna hate, but if the electric powertrain keeps the standards set by the EV6 while combining sitting room space in its interior then the Korean brand could be a feature on more yet more driveways of the leafy suburbs.
