All-new Kia EV9 here by October

The all-new 2023 Kia EV9 will be the most advanced Kia model ever when it is released in Australia in the second half of this year, thanks to technological advances including a suite of next-generation driver aids led by Level 3 autonomous driving capability for the top-spec GT-Line.

Market-specific details including pricing and equipment levels are all yet to be announced, but Kia Australia has confirmed an initial batch of around 400 units will arrive here in either September or October, each riding on a bespoke Australian chassis tune.

Already being marketed as the new flagship of Kia’s global model range, the EV9 is widely expected to become the Korean brand’s most expensive model to date and will likely command a starting price north of $80,000 plus on-road costs, with top-spec versions easily capable of eclipsing $110,000.

Underpinned by the Hyundai-Kia-Genesis group’s familiar 800V e-GMP platform architecture, the all-new large electric SUV rides on a vast 3100mm wheelbase and measures 5010mm long, 1980mm wide and 1780mm tall.

These dimensions make it 200mm longer, 80mm wider and up to 80mm taller than the current Kia Sorento, and marginally bigger than the eight-seat Hyundai Palisade.

An official ground clearance figure hasn’t been published yet but Kia has confirmed all variants will roll on aerodynamically optimised 19-, 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels as standard.

Three battery-electric drivetrains will be on offer from launch: Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Standard, Rear-Wheel Drive Long Range and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Long Range.

The entry-level powertrain features a single 150kW/350Nm electric motor – mounted to the rear axle – and a 76.1kWh lithium-ion battery, which together yield a 9.4-second 0-100km/h acceleration claim, however, an official driving range is yet to be locked in.

Opting for the Long Range version adds another 10kW to the equation – reducing the sprint time down to 8.2sec – but, more importantly, denotes the addition of a bigger 99.8kWh battery that gifts this particular EV9 an effective WLTP driving range of up to 541km.

In classic EV fashion the AWD Long Range features an electric motor on each axle and in this case churns out combined outputs of 283kW/600Nm, but an extra 100Nm will be on hand courtesy of an optional Boost function that will become available later via the new Kia Connect Store – an online platform where EV9 owners will be able to purchase additional features either outright or on a subscription basis.

No official driving range for the top-spec powertrain has been locked in yet, but a 6.0sec 0-100km/h claim (5.3sec in Boost mode) has been nominated.

As for charging capabilities, Kia says up to 239km of range can be added in just 15 minutes of DC fast-charging, however, the brand hasn’t nominated a maximum charging power. The smaller existing EV6 that uses the same platform can be charged at up to 350kW, so odds are the long-range EV9s will at least match that.

Despite its obviously big and blocky proportions, the EV9 boasts a relatively slippery drag coefficient of 0.28Cd thanks to its active air curtains, 3D-sculpted and aerodynamically optimised underbody, aero wheels and the longest spoiler ever fitted to a Kia production car.

Inside the cabin you’ll be hard pressed to find any leather or animal products given it’s the first Kia model to embrace the brand’s ‘Design Sustainability Strategy’, which aims to phase out leather in favour of more sustainably sourced and ‘bio-based materials’ such as corn, sugar cane, natural oils, recycled PET bottles (up to 70 per vehicle) and fishing nets.

As we reported earlier this month, the EV9 will be available in both six- and seven-seat layouts, with the former’s captain’s chair layout featuring an innovation swivel function that allows second-row passengers to turn their seats and face those in the third row.

Whether or not this feature passes local ADR certification remains to be seen, but other configurations include a traditional three-position bench and a three-person relaxation pew that can be reclined on-demand, for example when charging.

Front passengers will also have access to the relaxation function as well as Level 3 autonomous driving technology – eventually – in the top-spec GT-Line variants courtesy of the new Highway Driving Pilot system.

It uses a total of 15 sensors including two lidars to scan for objects in a full 360-degree field of view, “enabling it to detect and react to the road and other users to prevent potential collisions”.

This function won’t be available from launch and will only be offered in select markets where Level 3 vehicle autonomy has been approved by law; more details will be released closer to its rollout.

Other stand-out features include Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, Auto Terrain mode, configurable front lighting signature, curved display comprising a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit, 12.3-inch infotainment system and a 5.0-inch control module, 2500kg maximum braked towing capacity and 3.68kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality.

Active and passive safety equipment will include blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, speed limit assist, navigation-based smart cruise control, Highway Driving Assist 2 and both rear cross-traffic and parking collision-avoidance.

“The Kia EV9 transcends all aspects of traditional SUV thinking and represents the pinnacle of Kia’s design and engineering capabilities,” Kia president and CEO Ho Sung Song said.

“Created to meet the needs of all family members, the EV9 also spearheads Kia’s rapid transition to a sustainable mobility solutions provider.”

Work on the EV9’s Australian steering and suspension tuning program will begin soon, ahead of the model’s local launch this spring.

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