Kia Reveals EV9's Design, It's For Those Who Want A Telluride With Electric Drivetrain

• Kia EV9 will slot above the EV6 electric vehicle in global markets. 

• E-GMP platform-based EV9 is a three-row SUV with a boxy, chunky exterior styling. 

• SUV’s exterior design is largely similar to the concept displayed at Auto Expo 2023.

• Interior features twin 12.3-inch screens, 180-degree rotating second-row seats and spacious cabin. 

• EV9 SUV will break cover by March-end, India launch expected. 

Korean carmaker Kia has revealed the final design of its upcoming flagship electric vehicle, the EV9 SUV. This is the first preview of the production-spec electric SUV, whose specs and features will be fully revealed at its global premiere scheduled for late March, 2023. 

Following its debut, the Kia EV9 will go on sale in multiple markets globally later in the year, and is expected to arrive in India as well since it was showcased in concept form at Auto Expo 2023. 

Kia EV9 Exterior Styling 

The real-life EV9 e-SUV has an elegant aesthetic with its intricately styled headlights (which remind us of Cadillac units) and the tiny DRLs, which Kia likes to call Star Map, that merge neatly with the headlight units on each side. Being an EV, it has a grille-free nose, with a single air vent placed lower down in the bumper. 

The EV9 follows Kia’s “Opposites United” design language, which shows in its smooth but chunky profile that’s broken up by flared, straight-edged fenders. The window line cuts straight across the length of the SUV and tapers upwards to meet the upper edge of the windows. The lower door skins are similar to other Kia SUVs such as the Seltos and EV6, but the aero-style alloys feature an all-new, cool look with square-shaped elements. 

At the rear, it has a sporty spoiler over the clean, minimalist tailgate. It has L-shaped taillights that extend all the way from the top of the C-pillars to the bumper. 

The EV9 is built on the E-GMP from the ground up. The E-GMP is an electric car platform shared with multiple other Hyundai-Kia EV models such as the Ioniq 5 and EV6. 

Interior & Features

Inside, the EV9 e-SUV features a multi-screen panel with integrated 12.3-inch infotainment and driver’s displays with a five-inch segment display at the centre. The minimalist cabin has a single row of touch buttons below the touchscreen for the infotainment, with another row of buttons below the air vents for the air-con. 

The Kia EV9 prioritises space and comfort, and the front and second-row seats have power-reclining functions and can be simultaneously reclined when, for example, the car is charging up at a public charger and the passengers need to rest while it juices up. 

Its second-row seats can even be rotated by 180-degrees to face the third row, which, too, gets cupholders and phone charging points. 

Kia is yet to reveal the EV9’s specs. Going by its concept version, the EV9 SUV should get a range of up to 482km. Its E-GMP platform supports ultra-fast charging speeds up to 350kW, which should help the massive e-SUV’s battery get up to 80 per cent juice in about 20-30 minutes. 

• Kia Concept EV9 Electric SUV Breaks Cover At LA Motor Show 2021

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We’ll know the full specs and features of the Kia EV9 at its unveiling later in March. Plans about its global launches should be revealed henceforth. The full-size SUV will lock horns with other premium flagship SUVs such as the Mercedes-EQ EQE, BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron.