- The 2024 Kia EV9 is nearly an identical in dimension to the three-row Telluride SUV and can provide powertrains with between 201 and 379 hp.
- The twin-motor all-wheel-drive setup is the mightiest, however the weaker rear-drive possibility could have the longest vary—doubtless round 280 miles.
- The EV9 will go on sale in North America within the second half of 2023, however Kia hasn’t but launched pricing or ultimate U.S. specs.
Households searching for a mid-size three-row electrical SUV will see their restricted decisions broaden ever so barely when the 2024 Kia EV9 goes on sale in America someday later this yr. With dimensions which might be virtually an identical to the gas-powered Kia Telluride—and a blocky design that units it aside—the EV9 would be the largest EV in showrooms shared with the subcompact Niro EV and compact EV6.
Kia EV9 Comes into Focus
By now, most individuals have had a have a look at the EV9’s Minecraft-like bodywork. Its distinctive design hasn’t drastically modified from the idea that debuted on the L.A. auto present. Some manufacturing variations will even have related entrance accent lights that shine by way of the physique coloration and could be configured into completely different patterns. Kia additionally claims the EV9 has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.28—an impressively low quantity contemplating its form.
Kia has launched extra specs as a part of immediately’s world reveal. The EV9’s exterior dimensions are all inside tenths of an inch of the Telluride’s. The electrical mannequin is 197.2 inches lengthy, 78.0 inches broad, and 69.1 inches tall (70.1 inches for the GT-Line). Nonetheless, the EV9 boasts an additional 7.8 inches between its axles, with a wheelbase that stretches 122.0 inches. The smallest wheels the EV9 will put on are 19-inchers, and the largest are 21s.
Actual measurements for the EV9’s cargo and passenger area are nonetheless being stored underneath wraps. We anticipate these particulars and extra to filter out over the approaching weeks, presumably as a part of its official U.S. debut subsequent week on the New York auto present. In fact, in relation to inside packaging, the EV9’s flat load ground courtesy of its e-GMP platform gives a bonus versus the gas-fueled various.
Based mostly on that and what we already know, the EV9 might be extra spacious inside than the Telluride. We have sat in all three rows and may vouch for the EV’s roominess, significantly within the rearmost row the place there’s extra headroom and legroom. The quantity of particular person seats ranges between six and 7, relying on the second-row configuration (captain’s chairs cap capability on the decrease quantity, whereas a bench seat unlocks the upper one).
Do You Need It Poky or Punchy?
The 2024 Kia EV9 might be obtainable with two powertrain configurations break up into three ranges of efficiency. Other than the all-wheel-drive dual-motor setup, the singe-motor variants aren’t anticipated to pack a lot of a punch. Nonetheless, the trade-off will doubtless imply extra driving vary per cost.
The EV9’s two rear-wheel-drive setups function a single electrical motor mounted on the again axle. The bottom EV9 (referred to as the Customary) is the one one which pairs with a 77.6-kWh battery pack; vary estimates are at present unknown. Peak output is 214 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. For comparability, the Telluride’s 3.8-liter V-6 makes 291 hp and 262 pound-feet. Kia claims it will push the mid-size EV SUV to 62 mph in 8.2 seconds, which is taken into account leisurely, at greatest.
Straight-line acceleration is alleged to be even slower with the rear-drive EV9 Lengthy Vary. Kia claims a pokey 62-mph acceleration estimate of 9.4 seconds. Not solely does its peak output drop from 214 to 201 hp, however the Lengthy Vary provides weight as a consequence of its bigger 99.8-kWh battery. Utilizing the optimistic European WLTP cycle, Kia says it expects this EV9 on 19-inch wheels to supply 336 miles of driving vary. That determine will doubtless be someplace round 280 miles utilizing America’s EPA methodology.
Whereas there is not any phrase on anticipated vary, the EV9 GT-Line additionally has the massive battery and is the mightiest of the bunch—at the least till the high-performance GT mannequin that is at present being developed arrives for 2025. For now, the GT-Line alone has an electrical motor on every axle. Together with creating an all-wheel-drive system, they mix to make 379 hp and 442 pound-feet of torque. That latter determine will briefly rise to 516 pound-feet in Enhance mode, which Kia says allows the AWD EV9 to hit 62 mph in 5.3 seconds.
No matter how mighty the EV9’s electrical motors are, its 800-volt electrical structure permits for fast charging occasions. Kia claims the bigger battery can recoup about 148 miles of vary in about quarter-hour. Our checks of Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis’s fast-charging capabilities counsel that declare could be believed. The EV9 additionally has a 5000-pound towing capability, which matches the Telluride’s score however will dramatically diminish the EV’s driving vary.
Kia to Preserve Evolving the EV9
Along with a boatload of up to date lively security options, the EV9 might be able to broaden the breadth of its driver-assist expertise sooner or later. Kia says it is engaged on a lidar-based system referred to as Freeway Driving Pilot that’ll permit Degree 3 autonomous driving in sure conditions, that means the driving force does not have to regulate the automobile (supplied they preserve consideration). The function might be launched on the EV9 GT-Line sooner or later, with Kia planning to launch extra particulars nearer to its precise availability.
Among the many options that early adopters of the Kia EV9 will not have to attend for are a brand new digital key and distant parking help. These two are a package deal deal, with the “key” used to provoke the parking process whereas the proprietor watches their EV9 park itself. The digital key additionally permits individuals to open and activate the SUV utilizing their smartphone, which is not revolutionary however is helpful, nonetheless. House owners can even have the ability to buy different options and subscription-based companies by way of the brand new Kia Join Retailer, nevertheless, precisely what these embody stays to be seen.
Kia says the 2024 EV9 lineup will go on sale within the U.S. within the second half of this yr, with data leaked earlier this yr suggesting costs between $56K and $73K. In the meantime, we anticipate official pricing and different specs concerning the mid-size three-row electrical SUV to be launched within the weeks and months forward, so keep tuned for that.
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Eric Stafford’s vehicle habit started earlier than he may stroll, and it has fueled his ardour to jot down information, opinions, and extra for Automotive and Driver since 2016. His aspiration rising up was to turn out to be a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like automotive assortment. Apparently, getting wealthy is more durable than social-media influencers make it appear, so he averted monetary success totally to turn out to be an automotive journalist and drive new vehicles for a residing. After incomes a level at Central Michigan College and dealing at a each day newspaper, the years of principally burning cash on failed mission vehicles and lemon-flavored jalopies lastly paid off when Automotive and Driver employed him. His storage at present features a 2010 Acura RDX, a handbook ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.
