Kia EV9 2023: Radical Design, Autonomous Tech
The all-electric SUV combines rugged and sleek design, has movable seating, and is the first to use the company’s autonomous driving…
As for charging, the car is built on Kia’s E-GMP platform, which allows for superfast 800-volt charging and vehicle-to-load (where you can run your household appliances from the car’s battery should you wish). Again, the EV9 targets here are 6 minutes to add 100 kilometers of range at a high-speed charger, as opposed to the 4.5 minutes the EV6 takes to do the same at a 350-kW charger. This would suggest a battery capacity of around 100 kWh, but the EV9’s exact battery size will be given later this month.
The EV9’s interior looks as impressive as its exterior. Big enough for seven people, in the front there’s a floating panoramic dash made using a pair of 12.3-inch displays and one 5-inch display stretching from the steering wheel right to the middle. As for switchgear, “physical buttons are kept to a minimum,” which maybe does not bode well, but we’re hoping the confusing dual-function EV6 setup is improved on.
Cleverly, the second row of seats can swivel 180 degrees so passengers can chat with those sitting in the third row. This also allows the seat to spin to face outward, so you can get in and out of the SUV easily. Charging points, storage, and cup holders are promised in plentiful supply.
No mention has been made of the concept version’s solar panels, or “pop-up” steering wheel, but the EV9 will be the first Kia to offer Automode, the company’s autonomous driving tech.
Karim Habib, executive VP and head of Kia Global Design Center, says the EV9 offers “a fresh EV perspective in the family SUV sector.” That remains to be seen, but first impressions are certainly promising. Its arrival this year is timely, too, as Range Rover’s all-electric offering won’t arrive until 2024.
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