Kia unveiled to the whole world last week at the still ongoing (until April 9) Seoul Mobility Show its groundbreaking electric flagship SUV, the EV9. Expressing bold styling and sophisticated elegance inside and out, the Kia EV9 represents a pivotal step forward in the company’s journey towards becoming a premium sustainable mobility solutions provider.
“The Kia EV9 breaks new ground, aiming to redefine standards for design, connectivity, usability and environmental responsibility,” said Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center. “The Kia EV9 offers customers an exceptionally high-quality proposition and a fresh EV perspective in the family SUV sector. This new vehicle typology provides instinctive experiences and excellent comfort for not just the driver, but all occupants, through innovative use of space, technology and design.”
Like the Kia EV6 that was recently launched in the Philippines, the EV9 is based on the brand’s cutting-edge Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that endows the car with industry-leading space and performance. The EV9 boasts 540 kilometers of range and the ability to be charged to close to 240 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes (with the ultra-fast 800-volt charger).
A plethora of high-tech features include conditional Level 3 (hands-free and eyes-free) autonomous driving with its Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) advanced driver-assist system that will be offered in the EV9 GT Line variant in the future.
The EV9 also debuts the Kia Connect Store, which enables owners to purchase and download digital features and services on demand, giving them the flexibility to choose the features they want and continuously upgrade the capability of the EV9 with over-the-air (OTA) updates in real time.
A futuristic look that paves the way for Kia’s electric SUV design
Guided by the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, Kia designers strove to create a car with unprecedented visual appeal. The result is a vehicle that projects an aura of rugged capability for all conditions, with the serene calmness of a sophisticated EV that paves new paths for future electric SUV design.
The front of the EV9 is denoted by simple clear-cut lines and body surfaces. A very cool, new design element in Kia’s Digital Tiger Face are the two clusters of small cube lamps that appear from behind the painted bodywork adjacent to each headlamp. The EV9’s innovative Star Map LED daytime running lights create a futuristic new lighting experience and deliver a sophisticated animated lighting pattern that herald Kia’s Digital Tiger Face for the brand’s future EV models.
Formed from a polygonal design language, the side profile of the EV9 combines a distinctive SUV identity with high aerodynamic efficiency. Dynamic triangular fender shapes and pronounced geometric wheel arches combine to create a bold overall design. Flush door handles and a tapered roofline gives a sporty and upscale feel.
The simple, clean lines of the tailgate are elegantly detailed by the slim rear lights that mirror the design of those at the front, further reflecting the EV9’s strong and confident stance.
A 6- or 7-seater cabin that elevates the concepts of space, comfort, and experience
The EV9’s long 3,100mm wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat EV floor architecture have enabled the creation of generous space for all occupants to connect and relax with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats. Offered in 6- or 7-seater configurations, the 5,010mm-long EV9 (almost a foot longer than the EV6 and about as long as Toyota’s latest Land Cruiser) delivers equality of space, comfort and experience for all occupants—not just the driver and front passenger.
Occupants sitting in the first- and second-row seats can simultaneously recline their seats to relax and rest when the EV9 is charging. The seats in the second row can be effortlessly swiveled 180 degrees so that occupants can interact with those sitting in the third row. The third-row seats also offer cupholders and charging ports.
Throughout the spacious, light, and airy cabin, the EV9 embodies an elegantly simple, premium, and exceptionally user-friendly design. The open, floating panoramic dashboard extends from the steering wheel to the vehicle’s center. Two 12.3-inch touchscreens integrated with one 5-inch segment display improve the digital experience, offering effortless control of the vehicle’s functions.
The center console is equipped with ample storage options, including a spacious compartment located at its base. The center console doors are further designed to add to the overall refinement of the interior space.
The EV9’s HD audio-visual, navigation and telematics (AVNT) screen creates a rich and immersive experience. It enhances occupants’ ability to engage and interact with the digital world seamlessly. Beneath the AVNT screen, an array of hidden type touch buttons provides a start/stop function along with AVNT and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control.
Price and availability
All of which begs the question: When is it coming to the Philippines and how much will it cost?
The EV9 is expected to roll off showrooms in its principal markets (particularly the US) towards the end of this year. That means it will conceivably be available for the Philippine market sometime next year.
Kia Philippines president Manny Aligada told members of the Philippine media who attended the show that he hopes that most, if not all, of the EV9’s connectivity and semi-autonomous driving features will be available if and when they bring it in.
Price? With the Kia EV9 substantially bigger than the EV6 that’s priced at just under P3.8 million, I guesstimate the EV9 to range between P5.3 to 5.9 million—not bad for a pure-electric premium SUV that’s as big as an LC 300.