KIA EV9 SUV - six & seven seat serenity
Coming to a driveway near you soon, the all-new Kia EV9 is their all-electric, three-
row electric flagship SUV. It will be available as a six or seven-seater, with a driving
range of up to 541 kilometres, according to WLTP.
Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), comes with a long
wheelbase and completely flat electric vehicle architecture, to provide generous space
for all occupants, with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats. When the
vehicle is stationary, the customer can choose between relaxation or swivel function
for the second-row seats.
Size & Storage
With a length of 5,010mm, the EV9 is 1,980mm wide and 1,750mm tall, with a
3,100mm wheelbase. Storage is well catered for, with additional storage space in the
form of a frunk, or front trunk. The rear-wheel drive variation has a maximum frunk
volume of 90 litres, while the all-wheel drive version offers 52 litres of storage space.
The rear trunk offers 828 litres of storage space when 4/5 seats are upright and up to
333 litres when 6/7 seats are facing upright.
First Impressions
The EV9 front features the latest generation of the company’s Digital Tiger Face, with
distinctive vertical headlamps powered by LEDs and characterised by a slim lens
projection, or for the GT-line, a small cube projection.
At the rear, a unique star map lamp graphic within the signature LED taillights gives
it an instantly recognisable look. Automatic flush door handles contribute to a
modern, high-tech look, while active air flaps with Air Curtain improve aerodynamic
efficiency. Nineteen, 20, or 21-inch noise-absorbing tyres mounted on low-drag alloy
wheels with a unique rectangular design element complete the exterior.
The EV9 will be available in five glossy colours in Europe, including Snow White
Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Flare Red, Pebble Gray, Iceberg Green. In addition, Ivory
Silver glossy or matt are exclusively available for the EV9 Baseline. Finally, carried
over from the Concept EV9, Ocean Blue can be applied to the GT-line in a matt or
glossy finish.
Inside Story
On entry Kia EV9 customers will be welcomed by the Kia emblem on the steering
wheel, which illuminates while driving. The model also comes with the option of
Digital Side Mirrors (DSM) - digital screens connected to cameras instead of
analogue mirrors. These expand the driver’s field of vision, increasing both safety
and convenience. The digital rear view mirror, meanwhile, can be used as a normal
electric chromatic mirror or as a display for camera picture which enables the driver
to get a safe rear view in situations when the view is obscured.
The centre console is equipped with a fast wireless phone charger and a module with
a USB port and charger. The second and third rows also feature USB chargers.
Various ambient mood lights are applied inside the front rear armrests and on top of
the map pocket, providing different lightning functions such as speed linkage and car
camping mode. The hidden illuminated buttons ensure intuitive handling. Interior
colour schemes include Dark Gray & Black, Brown & Black, Dark Gray & Light Gray
and Navy Blue & Dark Gray
The interior of the Kia EV 9 is about space and a minimalist, easy-to-use layout. With
its long wheelbase and flat floor, the EV9 comes with three rows of seats and is
available in both a six-seat and a standard seven-seat layout.
The first row offers relaxation seats which can be reclined with the footrest extended
while parking or charging. The electronically adjustable seats are equipped with an
integrated memory system, automatically adjusting the position of the seat as well as
the steering wheel to the driver’s pre-set preference. Additionally, the third row is
equipped with armrests including bottle and cup holders.
On top of the first-row relaxation seats, the six-seat layout comes with one of two
extra options for second row passengers which can be activated when the vehicle is
stationary: Pause Mode, which turns the vehicle interior into a lounge using second
row swivelling seats and Enjoy Mode with second-row relaxation seats with wing-out
headrests.
Enjoy Mode allows second-row passengers to recline when the first-row passengers
are relaxing, as well, ensuring maximum comfort for all passengers on the journey.
Each relaxation seat is equipped with an additional leg rest, and with full
ventilation both on the front and the rear, to maximise the driving and travelling
experience.
The six-seat version with swivelling seats has second-row seats equipped with a 180-
degree swivel function. When the car is stopped, the second-row passengers can turn
their seats and face the third row and directly interact with each other. In this layout,
the long sliding tray, extending from the centre console, acts as a table in between
the seats.
The relaxation seats promise superior comfort, while the swivelled seats can be
turned around to face the third row. In addition, the EV9 features numerous
innovations that make journeys more comfortable and convenient, including digital
side mirrors, flush door handles, relaxation seats, and a Triple-Panorama-Display.
“The Kia EV9 is unique in that it isn’t simply designed for drivers - it’s the SUV for
everyone, providing an unprecedented level of comfort, space, access and
technology,” said Sjoerd Knipping, Vice President of Marketing and Product at Kia
Europe. “It also takes a holistic approach to electrification that enables the vehicle to
do so much more than go from A to B. Among many ground-breaking features, the
EV9 can power electric devices and appliances, charge other electric vehicles, and
even power your home. We want to provide customers the practicality of a three-row
-SUV with the driving experience of an EV.”
The Triple-Panorama-Display consists of a 12.3-inch cluster in front of the driver, a
12.3-inch AVNT screen and a 5.1-inch applied climate system for seat and heating
information. The EV9 is also equipped with a Head-Up Display (HUD) for added
convenience.
As well as physical buttons on the steering wheel, additional hidden buttons only
light up when the car is switched on.
The Kia EV9’s touchscreen navigation system offers a wide range of features such as
Bluetooth multi-connection as standard, enabling occupants to connect two mobile
devices at once, while Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality are also
standard. It comes with improved usability of voice recognition based on natural
language enabling using services such as navigating, turning on the media and
controlling the temperature. A Quick Control Screen, meanwhile, which can be
accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen, enables customers to access
frequently used features without having to navigate through menus and sub-menus.
Google Fast Pair Service, meanwhile, makes it even easier for Android users to
connect their phone to the vehicle’s infotainment system.
Owners who utilise an automatic car wash, will applaud the new feature of Car Wash
Mode, where with the press of one button, the AVNT activates all settings necessary
to enter an automatic car wash, including making sure all doors and windows are
closed, pulling in the side mirrors, and making sure the auto flush door handles stay
in.
EV9 customers can also benefit from Kia Connect Live Services, which include online
navigation as well as real-time information on traffic information, parking
availability and parking costs, locations and pricing for fuel stations and EV charging
points, weather forecasts, online POI search, and, in markets where available, speed
camera information.
Charging & Range
The driving range of up to 541 kilometres is complemented by ultra-fast charging
that can add up to 239km of driving range in as little as 15 minutes. The EV9 is also
equipped with bi-directional charging, meaning not only can customers charge their
EV using a wallbox or public charging point, but they can also use the power stored
in the EV battery to power electronic appliances – or even, in the future, their home.
The Kia EV9 is capable of 800-volt ultra-fast charging, meaning customers can
spend more time driving and less time charging. 15 minutes of charging results in an
up to 239 km of all-electric driving range for the RWD version and up to 219 km for
the AWD version.
The Kia EV9 is capable of bi-directional charging, enabling advanced future
technologies as Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), Vehicle-to-Building/Vehicle-to-Home
(V2B/V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G). V2L, first introduced with the Kia EV6 and
available standard with the EV9, allows customers to power 220V appliances using
their EV9 battery by plugging the cable into the EV charging port. V2B and V2H refer
to the vehicle’s ability to power a building or the customer’s home. V2G means the
vehicle can transfer energy directly back to the grid, by storing cheap electricity at
off-peak hours and transferring it back during periods of peak demand. V2B, V2H
and V2G will be gradually rolled out throughout Europe.
KIA EV Route Planner
Thanks to Kia’s EV Route Planner, customers can spend less time planning their
journey around charging point availability. When the navigation system detects the
battery charge isn’t sufficient to get to a set destination, it automatically recommends
a charging point for the planned route. This reduces range and charging anxiety for
customers by automatically showing them when, where, and for how long to charge.
When driving in cold temperatures, this feature also works together with battery
conditioning to pre-heat the battery to the optimal charging temperature before it
reaches the station.
Cool Passengers
A completely independent climate system in the back of the vehicle offers improved
rear passenger comfort, saving energy by only heating or cooling passengers when
they want it, where they want it. The EV9 is the first Kia model in Europe with the
new Kia climate control panel, making it easier to see and control all climate settings
without needing to access the infotainment sub-menus.
Rear Wheel or All Wheel Drive
The Kia EV9 is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Both
versions come with a 99.8kW battery featuring Kia’s fourth-generation battery
technology.
The rear-wheel drive version has a 150kW motor which is capable of a maximum
torque output of 350 Nm. It has an all-electric driving range of up to 541km,
according to WLTP.
The all-wheel drive variation is powered by twin 141kW electric motors with
maximum torque of 250 Nm & 350 Nm for the Baseline and 350 Nm & 350 Nm for
the GT-line, front and rear, and boasts an estimated WLTP all-electric driving range
of up to 497km.
Tunes
Those who love their tunes will rock to the EV9’s Meridian Premium Sound System,
with its 14 speakers together with an external amplifier. The Intelli Q feature
automatically adjusts the volume and sound quality based on vehicle speed change,
and Horizon allows for simultaneous control over music playback and
image/surround.
More personalization via the Kia Connect store
The EV9 will be the first Kia vehicle that can be upgraded via the Kia Connect store
for an even higher level of flexibility and personalisation. Customers can purchase
additional features via Kia Connect, which are then installed remotely into the
vehicle using over-the-air (OTA) updates. This makes it easier than ever for
customers to upgrade their Kia and stay up to date with the latest technology.
Across the vehicle’s lifetime, these upgrades will encompass all elements of the
vehicle, from safety and convenience features, driving performance, external
appearance, and infotainment such as:
Remote Smart Parking Assist 2.0 (RSPA 2), where the vehicle can
automatically park itself even if the driver is outside the vehicle, with
improved object detection.
Content streaming
Torque increase (in applicable countries)
Safety
The Kia is the first Kia model to be equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving
capabilities with Highway Driving Pilot system (HDP). Highway Driving Pilot
maintains a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead of it and keeps the vehicle
centred in its lane, even if the driver lets go of the steering wheel. If the system
detects an imminent risk, it can perform an emergency manoeuvre to prevent a
collision.
In the case of function failure or limit situation, the driver is asked to take over. And
if the driver fails to take over, the vehicle recognizes this as an emergency and stops
the vehicle. Besides that, the EV9 will come with the feature of hands-off driving,
which will be available in Germany first.
The Kia EV9 also comes standard with the latest generation of Highway Driving
Assist with Lane Change Assist and hands-on detection. HDA 2 with
Hands-On Detection prevents a collision if another vehicle cuts in front of it at
low speed. Lane Change Assist helps the vehicle change lanes when the driver
turns on the turn signal. The vehicle will automatically switch lanes in the direction
indicated when it is safe to do so.
Lane Following Assist 2.0 (LFA 2.0), meanwhile, ensures a safe side passing
distance by adjusting the vehicle’s position in its lane. Similarly, Lane Keeping Assist
(LKA) issues a warning and, if needed, assistance steering if the vehicle starts to drift
from its lane without the turn signal being activated.
Blind View Monitor (BVM) and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
(BCA) both provide added safety to prevent rear collisions. Blind View Monitor
displays the rear side view when the turn signal is activated for additional visibility
during lane changes, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist provides a warning
or assistance braking if another vehicle is detected when exiting a parallel parking
spot or changing lanes.
Forward Collision-avoidance Assist 2.0 (FCA 2) with Junction
Turning/Crossing helps avoid collisions with a variety of other road users,
including pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles – including in challenging
situations such as navigating an intersection, dealing with oncoming traffic, and
during lane changes. Depending on the situation, the system may provide a warning
or apply evasive steering or emergency braking to prevent a collision.
The Intelligent Front-lighting System automatically turns on high beams at
night to improve both visibility and safety. High Beam Assist (HBA), meanwhile,
can recognize the ambient light of an oncoming vehicle and turn the high beams off
or on again accordingly.
Driver Attention Warning (DAW) monitors the driver’s behaviour and issues a
warning if their attention level is determined to be too low. Similarly, when stopped
at a traffic light, it can also warn the driver if the vehicle ahead of them has already
departed and the driver did not react quickly enough.
Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), meanwhile, recognizes the speed limit of
the road and warns the driver if they start to exceed it. When combined with Smart
Cruise Control, the vehicle speed will adjust automatically when the speed limit
changes. The Kia EV9 provides class-leading levels of protection and safeguarding
for both occupants and batteries, including nine airbags that even cover the third
row.
Stopped and Parking
The Kia EV9 also comes with several intelligent features to make driving and parking
more convenient. For example, Surround View Monitor (SVM) displays a
changeable 360-degree view when parking or driving which can even be transmitted
to a smartphone. Rear View Monitor (RVM), meanwhile, displays a rear view
when parking and driving.
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) prevents collisions by
issuing a warning or braking when the vehicle is in reverse and an oncoming vehicle
is detected coming from the side – for example, when backing out of a parking space.
Parking Distance Warning (PDW), Parking Collision-Avoidance Front
and Side (PCA-F/S) and Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Reverse (PCA-
R) help prevent collisions with pedestrians and objects during parking, and Remote
Smart Parking Assist 2.0 allows the vehicle to park itself in perpendicular,
diagonal, and even parking situations (RSPA 2) – whether the driver is in the vehicle
or not.
The Kia EV9 also comes standard with two safety features specifically designed to
protect rear passengers: Safe Exit Warning (SEW) and Safe Exit Assist (SEA).
When the vehicle is stopped and another vehicle is approaching from behind, the
system either sounds a warning or activates the child locks to prevent a rear
passenger from exiting the vehicle in an unsafe situation.
Digital key on your phone
In addition to the Kia EV9’s Smart Key, owners can also use a smartphone to lock or
unlock the doors, start, or turn off the car, control the emergency alarm, and open or
close the trunk. This is thanks to the new Digital Key 2 with Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)
technology. And for added convenience, you don’t even have to take the phone out of
your pocket to unlock the door. This digital key can be shared with up to three other
people at a time, and the owner can control which features to share and for how long.