2024 Kia EV9 debuts with 300-mile vary, app retailer efficiency improve

Kia is shortly proving that Tesla is not the one mainstream model able to delivering a compelling electrical automobile.

After impressing with its 2023 EV6 compact crossover, Kia has launched the 2024 EV9 three-row SUV as a observe up. Kia offered a primary have a look at the EV9 in mid-March, and on Tuesday the automaker confirmed specs.

Kia is not shy about calling the EV9 its new flagship, and that is not solely as a result of the SUV can be among the many most costly fashions in Kia’s lineup, but additionally as a result of it helps outline the automaker’s focus going foward: electrical mobility, main know-how, and sustainable supplies.

The EV9 relies on Hyundai Motor Group’s versatile E-GMP platform, which can be discovered within the EV6. The devoted EV platform options an 800-volt electrical structure able to bi-directional charging, vehicle-to-grid capabilities, and high-speed charging claimed so as to add virtually 150 miles of vary in quarter-hour.

2024 Kia EV9

Relying available on the market, the EV9 can be supplied as commonplace with a 76.1-kwh battery and rear-wheel drive. Above this can be a 99.8-kwh battery which can be accessible with both rear- or all-wheel drive. The very best vary can be with the 99.8-kwh battery and rear-wheel drive, a determine Kia estimates to be about 300 miles when measured by the EPA.

EV9s with the 76.1-kwh battery and rear-wheel drive can have roughly 214 hp from a single motor on the rear. Including the 99.8-kwh battery will drop the ability on the rear-wheel-drive EV9 to 201 hp. The 99.8-kwh battery and all-wheel drive can have a dual-motor system good for about 380 hp, or sufficient for 0-62 mph acceleration in six seconds. For extra efficiency, a Enhance characteristic that can be accessible for buy by means of Kia’s personal Kia Join Retailer app retailer will add further torque to assist ship 0-62 mph acceleration in 5.3 seconds.

2024 Kia EV9

Another choice from the app retailer can be a light-weight sample for the digital gentle panel that replaces the normal grille on the entrance of the automobile, a characteristic first proven on an EV9 idea from 2021. The sunshine panel can be supplied on the premium GT-Line grade.

The know-how does not finish there. Kia additionally plans to supply an automatic driver-assist characteristic that can rank at Degree 3 on the SAE scale of self-driving functionality. Meaning the system will be capable of present hands-off, eyes-off functionality in sure situations. Kia is but to offer full particulars on the system however mentioned it’s going to solely operate in sure elements of the globe. Referred to as Freeway Driving Pilot, the system will depend on 15 sensors, together with two lidars. Kia will initially provide the system within the GT-Line grade.

2024 Kia EV9

The EV9 measures roughly 197 inches in size, which makes it roughly the identical dimension as Kia’s Telluride, one other mid-size three-row SUV. Nonetheless, packaging benefits of the EV platform means the EV9’s 122-inch wheelbase is sort of eight inches longer than the Telluride’s wheelbase, resuting in additional inside area.

The EV9 can be supplied with seating for six or seven with a second-row bench seat or accessible captain’s chairs. The captain’s chairs can swivel as much as 180 levels to permit second-row passengers to work together simpler with these seated within the third row. The primary- and second-row seats can recline so passengers can loosen up whereas the EV9’s charging. Each the second and third rows fold flat to create immense cargo area, however no measurements can be found but.

2024 Kia EV9

Up entrance, the dashboard encompasses a 5.0-inch show flanked by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, all housed below a single pane of glass. A number of exhausting buttons are retained, however most capabilities appear relegated to the screens, that are augmented by touch-sensitive buttons. Premium choices embody massaging seats, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and ambient lighting. Kia mentioned it additionally used sustainable supplies within the cabin, together with supplies derived from corn, sugar cane, pure oils, and recycled PET bottles.

Kia mentioned the EV9 will begin gross sales in chosen markets within the second half of the yr. Actual timing for the U.S. needs to be introduced following the SUV’s native debut scheduled for subsequent week’s 2023 New York auto present.

2024 Kia EV9

Kia can be holding again on pricing info, although officers have hinted the EV9 and Telluride can have a value hole much like that of the Niro EV and Niro hybrid, or the EV6 and Sportage. That may possible give the EV9 a $15,000 value differential between it and the Telluride, placing the EV9 beginning value someplace within the $50,000 bracket.

Kia plans many extra EVs on its quest to attain carbon neutrality by 2045. The automaker has already confirmed it’s going to have 14 EVs in its lineup as quickly as 2027, together with a pickup truck to be constructed within the U.S.