The Kia EV9 electrical SUV is the most recent within the increasing EV-branded household of electrical automobiles. It’s additionally by far the most important, utilising the 800-Volt E-GMP structure in a big SUV physique designed to accommodate as much as seven folks. With all that in thoughts, learn on for our Kia EV9 assessment.
Whereas it’s not low-cost, the EV9 comes loaded with tools and know-how to assist justify a circa-$100K beginning worth when it arrives in Australia within the fourth quarter of 2023.
Plus it comes with a daring design in and out that punches above its mainstream branding.
The Kia EV9 can have no direct opponents within the electrical automobile house; it’s closest rival on house and luxurious trinkets would be the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, though that shall be about triple the worth and have a a lot larger give attention to luxurious.
That leaves the upcoming Mazda CX-90 as its more than likely contender, though it would additionally compete with any sizeable SUV, from the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Kluger to a Toyota LandCruiser or Nissan Patrol.
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Value and options
The Kia EV9 represents a large leap for the Korean model. It should immediately catapult Kia into the luxurious SUV air occupied by huge identify luxurious manufacturers.
However the Kia EV9 guarantees lots in return to justify its luxurious price ticket.
Whereas particulars are but to be introduced, it seems as if there shall be three core fashions to the EV9 vary when it goes on sale in This fall 2023. A fourth mannequin – a excessive efficiency EV9 GT – will possible arrive round 2025.
Essentially the most reasonably priced mannequin would be the Kia EV9 Air.
It should get the smaller of the 2 out there battery packs (with 76.1kWh of capability) and get a single electrical motor driving the rear wheels.
Whereas the EV9 Air would be the entry-level mannequin it would include loads of equipment. That features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and matching 12.3-inch central touchscreen. In between them is a 5.0-inch display screen devoted to air flow controls.
The Air may even get an eight-speaker sound system and 19-inch alloy wheels.
Plus there shall be Kia Join, which permits for over-the-air software program updates and the potential of a fundamental subscription service for added options.
The mid-grade Kia EV9 shall be referred to as the Earth and can possible step as much as 20-inch wheels in addition to some further tools. It additionally seems set to get the dual-motor system and bigger 98.1kWh battery pack.
The EV9 GT-Line will get 21-inch wheels, twin sunroofs, electrical entrance seats and a 14-speaker Meridian sound system.
It should additionally get a digital key, one thing that might additionally make its approach onto different mannequin variants. That key permits you to program your cellphone because the automobile key and in addition ship digital ‘keys’ to buddies.
All EV9s will get Kia’s seven-year guarantee that additionally covers the high-voltage battery pack for as much as 150,000km.
Anticipate service intervals of 12 months or 15,000km.
Inside house
The Kia EV9 is a giant automobile and feels it. Its exterior dimensions sit between a Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol. Nevertheless, it has an extended wheelbase than both of these, one thing that advantages occupant house because of the comparatively compact electrical motors.
Up entrance there’s a broad sprint and chunky centre console. In addition to bodily buttons for the principle air flow controls there are contact buttons constructed into the sprint; press them and there’s a light kick to strengthen you’ve had the specified outcome.
It’s indicative of the eye to element, one thing that flows by way of to lighting. On the GT-Line we drove there was delicate however efficient ambient lighting in addition to a Kia badge onv the steering wheel that glowed once you begin the car.
Many of the space for storing in that centre console is nearer to floor degree in an open binnacle.
That’s as a result of among the space for storing is reserved for these within the center row, with a deep pocket delving into the entrance centre console.
Whereas the EV9 shall be provided with a pair of lounge-like captain’s chairs for abroad markets, Australia will solely get the rear bench that takes three folks, for an general seating capability of seven.
The sheer width of the EV9 means it gained’t be a problem becoming three throughout that center row. And all can have ample headroom, though there’s a high-ish flooring because of the battery pack beneath.
Press a button to tilt the center seat ahead and there’s comparatively easy accessibility to the third row. Even in there it’s grownup pleasant for headroom. Leg house is much less forthcoming, although, and it’ll be a commerce off with the sliding center row to make sure everybody within the rear is cozy.
Talking of consolation, the entrance seats are terrific for assist, with the driving force’s seat of the EV9 GT-Line even getting adjustable bolsters; dial up Sport mode they usually decrease the central seat base barely and lift the helps holding your kidneys.
The EV9 additionally has a robust sustainability focus, with pretend leather-based used and numerous bio-materials. There are some attention-grabbing finishes throughout the sprint, together with a wood-like strip and one other trendy plastic that has some visible curiosity.
Efficiency and effectivity
The EV9 is obtainable with two battery packs and both single- or dual-motor configurations.
The EV9 Air will get the smaller 76.1kWh battery pack with one electrical motor driving the rear wheels. It supplies maximums of 160kW and 350Nm and the driving vary is 418km in line with the WLTP normal.
That very same motor will be hooked as much as a bigger 98.1kWh battery to increase the vary to 541km. Nevertheless, that’s a combo it seems like Australia gained’t initially get. That would partly be as a result of efficiency suffers because of the further weight and a change in voltage; the larger battery runs at a decrease 552V most versus 632V for the smaller battery. That in flip lowers the height energy to 150kW whereas sustaining the total 350Nm.
Acceleration to 100km/h of the rear-drive fashions is 8.3 seconds for the single-motor/small battery combo and 9.4 seconds with the heavier, bigger battery.
The EV9 Earth is more likely to get the dual-motor all-wheel drive system that will increase mixed system outputs to 283kW and 600Nm. An OTA software program replace will increase the torque peak to 700Nm as a part of a Enhance mode, which prices further.
With the usual 283kW/600Nm it’s claimed to hit 100km/h in 6.0 seconds whereas Enhance mode lowers that to five.3 seconds.
What’s not know is what tyres shall be fitted to that EV9 Earth. If it comes with the 19-inch wheels from the Air then the claimed WLTP vary is 497km. But when it will get 20- or 21-inch wheels then that vary drops to about 470km.
That 470km vary is what you possibly can anticipate from the EV9 GT-Line, which can get the most important 21-inch wheels out there on the automobile.
It was that EV9 GT-Line mannequin that we drove in Korea lately.
Regardless of the portly 2634kg of the dual-motor EV9 – yep, it’s a significantly heavy machine – the GT-Line darts off the road with the keenness of one thing far sportier.
It thrusts occupants again into the seats properly and continues that surge in the direction of triple futures.
Whereas there’s much less punch when it’s in control, there’s by no means a time when the EV9 feels undernourished.
It’s a brisk machine, and one which at all times responds with straightforward, easy grunt.
Whereas physics have their say in making certain it’s not as environment friendly as smaller electrical automobiles, by giant SUV requirements it’s spectacular.
Claimed consumption is about 25kWh per 100km and we bettered that by round 2kWh/100km throughout a few days of driving, a lot of it performed on a freeway (which is rarely notably pleasant on an EV).
Charging
Underpinning the EV9 is a bigger model of the E-GMP structure that additionally sits below the Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 in addition to the Genesis GV60.
It’s the most important mannequin but constructed on that structure, however that doesn’t change the basics, which embrace an 800V charging system.
It means the EV9 can profit from the 350kW charging stations (after they’re working…) and draw as much as 230kW within the course of.
Kia says it might cost from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 25 minutes.
Charging is finished by way of a Kind 2/CCS combo plug on the precise rear of the automobile.
The EV9 may even have the {hardware} required for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) know-how, permitting the battery for use to energy a home of feed again into the grid. Nevertheless, it gained’t initially be operational, with that performance to be added as a part of an OTA software program replace.
As an alternative, the EV9 will get the identical vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality of different electrical Kias and Hyundais. That permits it to offer as much as 3.68kW by way of a family powerpoint within the boot.
Trip and dealing with
It’s a giant, heavy physique within the Kia EV9 however one which has loads of dynamic expertise embedded.
We solely drove on 21-inch wheels, which often choose up sharper bumps to create some jiggling within the trip.
However over bigger ripples and bumps it’s impressively compliant and comfy, swiftly recovering in a single movement.
After all, a variety of the EV9’s weight is down low within the battery pack, one thing that retains the centre of gravity low.
So regardless of its boxy look it’s superbly planted by way of corners, with minimal leaning.
There’s additionally a great deal of grip from these 21-inch tyres, so once you lean on them they ship.
It’s clear there’s a great deal of functionality within the EV9 – and it’s functionality not but absolutely exploited. That’s as a result of automobiles coming to Australia can have an area suspension tune designed to higher put together them for our roads and tastes.
Maybe probably the most spectacular a part of the EV9 is its refinement and cabin consolation.
Even on a freeway it’s suitably quiet, hushing not solely tyre noise however wind noise. It makes it a significantly relaxed SUV.
Speaking level
Can it tow a home, win a drag race, nice off-road, flip heads at Mardi Gras, and many others
The Kia EV9s that come to Australia will miss out on among the extra superior tech out there within the electrical SUV elsewhere, at the very least initially.
That features the “digital tiger face”, which has lighting embedded behind the plastic strip that replaces the grille. It’s designed to emulate a conventional grille and may even have altering patterns. However it gained’t be coming right here.
Security
Passive and lively security gear, impartial scores, points, what it misses out on, and many others
The Kia EV9 comes loaded with normal security gear, beginning with 9 airbags; twin entrance, entrance facet, rear facet, facet curtain and a centre airbag separating the 2 entrance occupants. Australia misses out on the driving force’s knee airbag being fitted in another markets.
There’s additionally a load of lively security gear, together with autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear occupant detection, exit help, rear cross visitors alert and pace signal recognition.
The EV9 shall be out there with degree three autonomous driving functionality in some markets. However it gained’t initially be provided in Australia, partly as a result of our automobiles gained’t get the 2 lidar (laser radar) within the decrease a part of the grille.
So as a substitute it’s the extent two autonomy that enables for gentle self-steering and pace adjustment. Throughout our drive it appeared to work fairly effectively, though the lane hold help system is often too wanting to take management.
Verdict
Rating: 8.5/10
The Kia EV9 electrical SUV is a giant automobile with huge aspirations for the model – and it comes with a giant price ticket.
It’s the worth tag that might frighten some off, though Kia nonetheless believes it would have folks queuing to personal an EV9.
Those that can stretch the funds shall be rewarded with some of the spacious EVs in the marketplace – and one which delivers on daring design.
It’s additionally a automobile loaded with substance, from wonderful driving credentials and a protracted record of ordinary tools and tech.
Kia EV9 GT-Line
Value: About $130,000 (estimated)
Fundamentals: EV, 7 seats, 5 doorways, SUV, AWD
Vary: 470km (estimated)
Battery capability: 99.8kWh
Battery guarantee: 7 years/150,000km
Vitality consumption: 25kWh/100km (estimated)
Motors: 1 entrance, 1 rear, mixed outputs of 283kW/600Nm (700Nm with Enhance mode)
AC charging: 11kW, Kind 2 plug
DC charging: 230kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 6.0 seconds (or 5.3 seconds with Enhance mode)