Kia EV9 SUV Unveiled – Three-Row Electric SUV with E-GMP Platform

Following its teaser earlier this month, South Korean automaker Kia has finally unveiled the all-new EV9, joining the marque’s ever-growing EV line-up. This three-row electric SUV is being built on the marque’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered in either six or seven-seat configurations.

The EV9 retains much of its concept model’s boxy, angular shape, while featuring some bold design cues. On the front end, the EV9 boasts a futuristic-looking ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’, flanked by striking vertical LED headlights. Just like its ICE-powered three-row twin, the recently-launched Kia Sorento, the EV9’s front fascia also plays with the ‘Tiger Face’ theme, accentuated by the two clusters of small cube lamps within the bodywork, adjacent to said headlights.

From the side, the EV9 sports a typical SUV silhouette, with a few triangular and polygonal shapes here and there. Notably, the wheel arches feature hexagonal-like shape to it, further accentuated by the rather thick dark-hued underbody cladding. To help reduce the coefficient drag in this rather boxy SUV, the EV9 now comes with flushed door handles, as well as a tapered back roofline.

The EV9’s derriere features the same design language as the front, highlighted by the slim Y-shaped LED taillights, plus a metal-finished lower skid plate that adds ruggedness to this futuristic and clean-looking SUV.

The marque’s decision to underpin the EV9 with E-GMP architecture grants it a much roomier cabin space with completely flat floor. Customers can opt for either the six or seven-seat configurations, with the second row seats can be swivelled 180 degrees, enabling the occupants to face against those seating in the third row. Both front and middle row seats can also be reclined when charging, allowing occupants to relax while waiting for their SUV to fully recharged.

Primed on its front dash is a dual 12.3-inch touchscreens that is combined with a smaller five-inch segment display, promising improved digital experience with minimal physical buttons. Beneath the displays sit the EV9’s climate control panel, plus a slew of other controls, including the push Start/Stop engine button.

As for now, Kia has yet to unveil any details on the EV9’s powertrain or battery specifications. For comparison, its fellow E-GMP model, the smaller Kia EV6, is capable of carrying a 77.4-kWh battery pack, which grants it about 510 KM of maximum travel range. 

Kia EV6 GT – the EV9's smaller E-GMP twin

In the range-topping GT spec, the Kia EV6 comes with a dual-motor setup that delivers a total output of 577 HP and 740 NM. This is enough to propel the EV6 GT from nought to 100 KM/H in only 3.5 seconds, while en route to its governed V-max of 260 KM/H.

Aside from the Kia EV6, the 800 V E-GMP architecture is also being shared with other Kia sibling brands, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, as well as its upmarket twin, the Genesis GV60.