Aussie pricing revealed for Kia’s new flagship EV9, first all-electric Upper Large SUV in Australia

Kia’s first three-row, all-electric flagship SUV the EV9 is now available in Australia and it will be interesting to see how many get purchased because there is no competing similar quality electric car which can carry 7 people at a similar price point.

The Kia EV9 is offered in three grades Air, Earth and GT-Line, with a Rear-Wheel Drive Single Motor powertrain for the Air variant, and an AWD Dual Motor powertrain for Earth and GT-Line.

The EV9 is built on the advanced Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) featuring Kia’s fourth-generation high energy-density battery technology, and offers a choice of electric powertrain configurations:

• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Single Motor with 76.1kWh / 632V battery
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD) Dual Motor with 99.8kWh / 552V battery

The Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant is powered by a 160kW, 350Nm electric motor, can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds, and has a WLTP range of 443km.

All-Wheel Drive variants are equipped with two electric motors that unleash total outputs of 283kW and 700Nm.

The Dual Motor AWD EV9 Earth variant has 6.0-second 0-100km/h capability and a WLTP range of 512km on a single charge, to let families confidently embark on long road trips.

EV9 GT-Line featuring the same Dual Motor AWD powertrain, and larger 21-inch wheels and tyres, can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds, and has a WLTP range of 505km.

A multi-charging system allows for fast-charging on both 800V and 400V infrastructures without the need for additional hardware.

The Kia EV9 has a braked towing capacity of 900kg in RWD form and 2500kg in Dual Motor AWD form.

The EV9 Air and GT-Line trims will be available from launch with the Earth trim to follow early in 2024.

Kia Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Damien Meredith commented:

“The eagerly anticipated EV9 is a pivotal model for Kia that turns conventional SUV – and EV – thinking on its head”.

“EV9 is an especially significant model because it marks a step change in our evolution into a provider of advanced mobility solutions”.

“As the first all-electric Upper Large SUV in Australia, EV9 is unique in giving large families a bold and confident vehicle featuring an array of advanced technology, with expansive battery range and performance, and a refined locally tuned suspension”.

The EV9 also introduces a series of new Kia technologies to the Australian market.

Among the Kia firsts are a panoramic wide display that combines dual 12.3-inch cluster and infotainment displays via a 5.0-inch segment display, a column-type E-Shift-by-Wire drive selector, fingerprint recognition, Digital Side Mirrors and a Digital Centre Mirror (GT-Line).

EV9 also debuts Over-the-Air update capability for its Kia Connect system, and a Highway Driving Assist 2 system with Hands-on Detection.

The EV9 has futuristic frontal styling, with a bold body-coloured grille framed by striking vertical headlamps forming the signature Kia Digital Tiger Face.

The Digital Tiger Face is further developed with Small Cube Projection Headlights (GT-Line) with Intelligent Front-lighting System (IFS) and innovative ‘star map’ LED DRLs, to create a sophisticated lighting pattern that will become a signature of Kia’s EV models.

A polygonal design language gives rise to a fuselage-like side profile that effortlessly combines a strong SUV identity with slippery aerodynamics. With a Kia-first 3D underbody cover, front air curtains, and aerodynamic wheels (19in) EV9 achieves an exceptional 0.28 drag coefficient (Cd).

Ocean Blue Matte is offered exclusively for GT-Line, while Iceberg Green and Pebble Grey are available across the range along with Standard Flare Red, and Premium Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl and Panthera Metal.

Kia’s award-winning Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) allows for a completely flat floor and, with EV9’s long wheelbase and low beltline, provided the basis for an spacious interior that lets occupants connect and relax in lounge-style comfort across all three rows, with the added luxury of front Premium Relaxation Seats in GT-Line.

The Kia EV9 is 5,010mm long, 1,980mm wide, and 1,755mm high (1780mm with GT-Line bridge-type roof rails), on a 3,100mm wheelbase. With all three rows of seats occupied, EV9 provides 333 litres of cargo space; 828 litres with the third row folded. With both rear rows folded the space expands to a cavernous 2,318 litres.

In line with the brand’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, the EV9 has a zero-emission EV powertrain as well eco-friendly recycled and natural materials, such as bio-plastics, recycled PET fabrics and carpet and bio-paint.

The EV9 was pushed to the limits at Kia’s global Namyang R&D Center and honed on Australian roads, in an intensive development program spanning more than three years.

EV9 is underpinned by strut front suspension with frequency selective dampers and multi-link rear suspension featuring self-levelling dampers, and benefits from a rack-mounted motor-driven power steering (R-MDPS) system.

The global testing phase saw EV9 complete a gruelling program that included a 4WD climbing hill and rough terrain track, and a deep-water wading test, to ensure maximum durability in the most challenging conditions, as well as validating the Snow, Mud and Sand Terrain Modes.

Kia’s high-speed handling and low-friction tracks placed EV9’s dynamics under further, intense scrutiny.

This was followed by Kia Australia’s rigorous local ride and handling program, which ensured EV9’s dynamics deliver the refinement and polish Australian drivers demand, across our varied and uniquely challenging conditions.

As Kia’s new flagship, EV9 becomes the most advanced product in the range, introducing several firsts for Kia in Australia.

The EV9 also introduces the next generation of Kia’s in-house developed infotainment and telematics system, Kia Connect, now with greater processing power and an enhanced, user-friendly interface featuring revised graphics.

For the first time, Kia Connect includes Over-the-Air (OTA) update capability, which enables the system to receive continuous ‘wireless’ improvements to more than half of the vehicle’s onboard controllers, to give customers the latest maps, interfaces and software enhancements, without them having to visit a service centre.

EV9 features standard Interior Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality (3.68kVA / 230V) to let occupants plug in and power their appliances or charge their devices wherever they travel, with Exterior V2L in addition for GT-Line variant.

Further standard comfort and convenience features include heated and ventilated synthetic leather front seats with two-way power lumbar support, and a heated, synthetic leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Also featuring across the range are a tilting type walk-in device and remote folding release for the second row, and a smart, powered tailgate.

The flagship GT-Line builds on EV9’s extensive standard specification with two-tone artificial leather upholstery, a black synthetic suede headlining, heated and ventilated outer rear seats and privacy glass.

GT-Line also brings a 14-speaker Meridian surround sound system and an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display.

An array of Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS) technologies ensure occupants can relax, secure in the knowledge that EV9 is continuously monitoring the surroundings, ready to react automatically if needed, to ensure their utmost safety, as well as the safety of occupants of other vehicles, and pedestrians.

EV9 standard ADAS features include:

• Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) with Hands-on Detection (HOD)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (FCA 2) with Junction Crossing, Lane Oncoming & Lane Change Side functions
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA 2)
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
• Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (SCC w/ S&G)
• Rear View Monitor (RVM)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance (RCCA)
• Parking Distance Warning – Front/Rear (PDW-F/R)

EV9 Earth brings in addition:

• Surround View Monitor (SVM)
• Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM)
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse (PCA-R)

EV9 GT-Line brings in addition:

• Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2)
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Forward / Side / Reverse (PCA-F/S/R)

The EV9 marks the Australian debut of Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), a next-gen technology that functions when driving on a freeway or motorway. HDA builds on adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, combining with Lane Following Assist (LFA) to keep EV9 centred in the lane even when driving through a curve.

It adds a direct Hands-on Detection (HOD) sensor to the torque-sensor recognition method to further enhance the recognition of the driver’s steering control, providing warnings and, if necessary, deactivation of HDA 2.

Additionally, HDA 2 includes Lane Change Assist (LCA), which when activated while holding the steering wheel and engaging the turn signal in the desired direction, will automatically steer EV9 into the respective lane.

In addition to its ADAS technologies, EV9 provides class-leading occupant protection through the application of advanced engineering design and materials such as hot-stamped steel and lightweight high-strength aluminium, to create an exceptionally rigid and strong body structure.

Among the leading-edge construction techniques is a world-first, patent-pending B-pillar connection structure that extends the overlap between the crash barrier and side sill.

A suite of nine airbags including front, side, curtain and front centre side airbags completes an extraordinarily safety package in the Kia EV9.

Pricing