The Kia EV9, an electric SUV with three rows of seats that will go into production in 2024, has gotten its first pictures and videos. The EV9 concept from 2021 was blocky and tall. Even though we sat in all three of the EV9’s roomy rows, Kia still needed to confirm details about the car’s engine, battery pack, range, and even size. These details should be clarified when the EV9 is officially shown in early April. The 2024 Kia EV9 is like an electric Telluride in terms of size and purpose, and we’re sure Kia would love for its newest EV to do as well as that gas-powered SUV. The EV9 is the first electric vehicle in the popular mid-size, three-row SUV segment, where models like the Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse, Toyota Highlander, and, of course, the Kia Telluride sell tens of thousands of units each year in the United States. There are EVs with three rows, but they are much more expensive. One example is the Rician R1S. Another is the Tesla Model X. A third row can be added to the Model Y, but it is minimal. The EV9, which Kia says will be one of 15 electric cars on the market by 2027, looks like the concept car at the Los Angeles show in 2021. The Kia design team, led by Karim Habib, says that the outside of the EV9 has “refined boniness.” This combines sharp edges and many rounded shapes. It stands out because it has high shoulders and a low waistline. The headlights and taillights of future Kais should look like this. Even though the prototype has 21-inch wheels, 19-inch and 20-inch wheels will also be available. At the event in Seoul, where we looked closely at the EV9, we saw both square and triangle wheel inserts. Everything is big except for the frack. Standing next to it, we can see that the EV9 closely follows the dimensions of the EV9 concept, which are similar to the Telluride’s but have an eight-inch longer wheelbase. Kia hasn’t said anything about the EV9’s engine, battery size, range, or even size. This electric car is not shaped like a teardrop, and even very tall adults will have plenty of room in the second and third rows. The trunk is the only part of the EV9 that is small. But aerodynamics is essential for electric cars, and small things like the EV9’s rear spoiler that sticks out from the roof can make a big difference in its drag coefficient (Habib estimates 0.006 to 0.007). Kia has yet to talk about the size, but the second row is at least as big as the Telluride and has a lot of adjustability front to back. The third row has more legroom and especially more headroom. Remember how Chrysler’s 2008 minivan was the first to come with the Swivel ‘n Go feature? The second row of seats can also turn around to face the back, but there needs to be more room between them in this arrangement. Depending on whether the second row has bucket seats or a bench, the EV9 will be able to seat either six or seven people. Only high-end models have a power-folding third row. A roomy interior with thoughtful touches that make the space feels even more significant. Johan Pease, the vice president of interior design, talks about the choices made to make the EV9’s interior even more open than it already is. For example, they didn’t make the dash wrap around into the doors because it would make the car look like it was squished. The headrests on the front seats are also made of mesh so that people in the back can see through them. The horizontal, simple dashboard has two 12.3-inch screens, one for the gauge cluster and one for infotainment. In between, there is a dedicated HVAC readout, which makes it look like one big screen is sticking out of it. Compared to Kia’s current lineup, only a few essential HVAC controls and a volume knob remain, and menus are navigated using touch-sensitive rules built into the dashboard. Even though this is a whole new generation of infotainment, Kia has yet to discuss its features or specifics. Based on the survey results, the EV9 will either have a single motor in the back or one on each axle for all-wheel drive, costing between $50,000 and $70,000. The early prototype’s screen showed that the battery was 91 percent full and would take 436 km (271 miles) to run out of power. This is in line with the EV9 concept’s claimed 300-mile range. Also, the idea suggests it will charge even faster than the EV6, which is already one of the fastest we’ve tested. When the EV9 makes its official debut towards the end of March, many of these questions will have immediate answers. The EV9, according to Kia’s projections, will go on sale sometime between 2023 and 2024.
