EV9, electric SUV with three rows of seats is Kia’s new flagship

Kia aims high, not only in the electrification process (15 new Bev models by 2027 to reach 55% of electric sales in 2030) but also in market positioning, increasingly towards the premium.
This is demonstrated with the production version of the EV9 electric SUV, which relying above all on its potential in the United States, will soon also land in Europe to compete – it was said during the brand summit in Frankfurt – with models such as the Audi Q8 e-Tron, BMW iX, Mercedes Eqe, Tesla Model X and Volvo EX90.
Built on the dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9 SUV features unprecedented technology, design and functionality for a BEV model of this size and stature. It will initially come in Germany with level 3 autonomous driving capabilities, with AutoMode and Highway Driving Pilot ‘hands-off’ function, showing the evolution that Kia has in store for Europe in the future.
AutoMode is the driver assistance system that can receive over-the-air updates and will always operate at peak efficiency. Kia plans to introduce Highway Driving Pilot 2 by 2026 which will support hands-off driving under certain conditions, with the ultimate intention of enabling fully autonomous driving in the future.
Starting from the Concept that was shown in 2021 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Kia EV9 at the end of the specific development and tuning process promises to offer the best driving experience in the segment with the comfort, practicality and spaciousness of an SUV from 5.01 meters with three rows of seats, always maintaining safe and satisfying driving performance.
Also available with all-wheel drive, the Kia EV9 promises excellent steering and braking performance for an EV in its segment. The second generation Integrated Electric Motor Booster (IEB) reduces the overall weight of the braking system for greater efficiency.
Furthermore, specific braking software, Downhill Brake Control (Dbc), automatically reduces the speed of the EV9 when driving downhill. All of this has a direct impact on the quality of journeys not only because the car drives more efficiently, but it also reduces the need to recharge the battery.
In the EV9 a centralized control system – the Chassis Domain Control Unit (Cdcu), manages all systems that influence dynamics and handling, including the brakes, electronic stability control (ESC) and Dynamic Torque Vectoring which uses partial braking and engine torque compensation to manage optimal cornering.
For an SUV of this size, the presence of Crosswind Stability Control is also relevant, which applies partial braking and torque control to counter strong side winds with the result that the vehicle always remains centered in its lane.
Equipped with a 99.8 kWh battery in both the two-wheel drive and AWD versions, Kia’s new electric SUV has 203 HP and 350 Nm of torque in the rear-wheel drive variant and 384 HP and 600 Nm overall in the all-wheel drive variant.
The range reaches respectively 541 and 497 km.
But EV9 has what it takes to play a leading role in the segment not only in terms of performance and dynamic quality. From the first glance, the new Kia SUV is characterized by a strong and distinctive presence on the road, the result of the combination of different elements which – according to the Opposites United principle of the Corena brand – are inspired by nature and modernity. The stylistic identity of EV9 is unprecedented and, as in the concept, characterized by clean lines and sculptural forms. “Kia EV9 opens up new horizons, redefining the standards of exterior and interior design, as well as connectivity and functionality, always with the utmost attention to sustainability – said Karim Habib, executive vice president and head of Kia global design center – He represents a proposal where quality reaches its peak and creates a new perspective in the SUV sector, guaranteeing unprecedented experiences and superior comfort not only for the driver, but also for all occupants, through an innovative use of space, technology and design”.
The commercial launch also in Italy is scheduled for next autumn.