Kia is about to release a new fully-electric SUV that’s called the EV9. Similar to its current EV6, the Kia EV9 is based on the Hyundai-Kia group’s E-GMP platform which uses an 800V electrical architecture. The full design of the Kia EV6 will be unveiled on 15th March 2023 and the Korean carmaker has dropped a couple of video teasers of its design and lighting effects.
The production EV9 gets a rather boxy design like the concept EV9 which portrays a strong SUV appearance. Over at the rear, it has striking vertical rear lights which look inspired by Volvo’s current XC90 but with an additional horizontal bar that extends slightly inwards.
What’s interesting is the front-end design as it gets a thin vertical array of LED lights complemented by dozens of LED cubes that fades towards the middle section of the “covered” grill. On the side profile, it has a very wide glass area stretching from the A-pillar all the way to the rear D-pillar. For a sleeker look and improved aerodynamics, the EV9 also gets flush door handles just like other E-GMP-based vehicles in the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis EV lineup.
It’s great that the production EV9 still retains most of the funky designs of the concept vehicle that was revealed at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. The concept vehicle boasts 3rd-row seat capability which potentially makes the EV9 their first 7-seater EV. In terms of size, you can expect it to be as large as the Kia Telluride, a model that’s a class above the current Kia Sorento. The EV9 is expected to be the largest EV on the E-GMP platform with a wheelbase that’s longer than 3,000mm.
Since Hyundai and Kia are from the same group, the EV9’s closest cousin will be the upcoming Ioniq 7 which was showcased as the Concept “Seven”. Since Hyundai has recently launched the Ioniq 6 4-door coupe EV, we reckon that the Kia EV9 will be released earlier than the Ioniq 7. Using the 800V architecture, you can expect ultra-fast charging speeds that can take advantage of 350kW DC fast chargers.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the two EV9 teaser videos below:
