Kia has officially confirmed that the production version of the EV9 concept will be sold in Europe in 2023, and will also be available in North America and Asia. The all-electric EV9 will be the first large SUV in Kia's European series, playing a flagship role in terms of volume, design and high-tech features.
Starting in 2021, the production version is expected to maintain a similar proportion and volume to the concept car, with a low-key design. The EV9 Concept is 4,930 mm (194 in.), 2,055 mm (81 in.) wide, 1,790 mm (70 in.) high, and has a wheelbase of 3,100 mm (122 in.). This makes it roughly the same size as the fuel-powered BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, which are classified as medium-sizeDUV in Europe.
The SUV incorporates Kia's "Opposites United" design language, which debuted in the EV6, and will gradually expand to the full range. More specifically, for the EV9, the designers were inspired by the "Bold for Nature" theme, combining a sturdy and angular look with a spacious and technologically sleek three-row cockpit.
Some features that can be downplayed in production models include 22-inch wheels, plenty of LEDs on the Digital Tiger Face, mirror replacement cameras, scissor doors, and a futuristic interior layout with separate seats. However, the model looks very similar overall and retains the concept car's focus on practicality and sustainability in terms of the materials used.
Technically, the EV9 will be the first model to introduce Kia's AutoMode autonomous driving technology, which will eventually be expanded to all models in major markets by 2026. The ADAS kit will include an advanced highway driving pilot system that will purportedly allow driving without interference on the highway.
We're not sure if the mass-produced EV9 will retain the concept's 27-inch ultra-wide touchscreen, but it will certainly have an advanced infotainment system. Kia says it will be its first production model to receive over-the-air updates (OTAs) and integrate on-demand functionality (FoD) services, which will allow owners to choose from a range of software features available at specific times. Similarly, the connected car features that will debut in the EV9 will be rolled out to Kia's entire range by 2025.
Kia has confirmed that the Kia EV9 and its modern Ioniq 7 siblings will be based on an extended version of the E-GMP platform, rather than an evolved version of its integrated modular architecture (IMA) to be launched in 2025. Kia hasn't given us details about the electric powertrain yet, but it's likely to consist of twin motors that provide all-wheel drive capability. Despite the size of the SUV, the company says the EV9 will accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5 seconds. The high-capacity floor-standing battery delivers 540 km (336 miles) of range, and ultra-fast charging adds 100 km (62 miles) in 6 minutes.