Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 electric SUV has been revealed with three rows of seating including second row captain's chairs that can swivel to face the rear seats.

[CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP](https://www.foxnews.com/apps-products) [CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FOX NEWS AUTOS NEWSLETTER](https://www.foxnews.com/newsletters) [Kia is big](https://www.foxnews.com/category/auto/make/kia) on electric vehicles.

The new Kia EV9 has been fully unveiled as the Korean brand's first seven-seat all-electric model.

With EV6 prices running from £45,000 to £62,000, expect the flagship EV9 to surpass that, possibly starting at around £65,000. Kia previously stated that it was targeting a range of 336 miles for the EV9. That means the potential for two- or four-wheel drive variants, 350kW charging and vehicle-to-load abilities. Thankfully, physical controls for key heating and media functions have been retained. It sits closer to the ground courtesy of smaller wheels and the proper underfloor battery pack, and the rear-hinged back doors have also been ditched but otherwise the angular styling is largely the same. The brand says the new model is a “pivotal step” on its move toward sustainability and heads up a programme of nine [new EVs](https://www.nationalworld.com/topic/electric-cars) heading to the UK in the next five years.

Kia EV9 SUV is a spacious all-electric seven-seater that makes a strong design statement.

The Kia EV9 is firmly targeting practicality with its style and should be aided in that pursuit by a circa 337-mile electric range and 800-volt rapid charging capability. A large boot is promised (no volume figures have been given yet) and there’s also a sizeable ‘frunk’ under the bonnet lid able to carry charging cables and a bit more. Guy Bird is a London-based writer, editor and consultant specialising in cars and car design, but also covers aviation, architecture, street art, sneakers and music. The cabin is a vegan, leather-free space, using recycled PET within many of its materials, and although the colour palette, on the two early vehicles we saw, both featured muted shades of grey, Paesen says brighter options will be available from the EV9’s late-2023 on-sale date. More functional ability reveals itself in the back, where the EV9 can accommodate five-to-seven people with a level of flexibility more associated with MPVs. [EV6 launched in 2021](https://www.wallpaper.com/transport/kia-ev6-review), the large EV9 is a visual departure, especially in its exterior. Paesen says this system represents an upgrade from the one within the EV6 and confirms that it will be rolled out across the Kia range. He describes his aesthetic vision as ‘the antithesis of the over-busy interior design approach of other SUVs and concentrating on negative space and shadow‘. ‘The production car’s bonnet is shorter, the cabin longer and the beltline definitely lower than on the concept,’ Habib says. Since October 2019 ex-BMW designer Karim Habib became Kia’s senior design VP and the 2023 EV9 is the first Kia created under his direction. That places it behind only the VW Group (7.85m) and Toyota (10.1m). ‘In its glass-to-body proportion, it’s less-classical SUV, but that was all part of the message of this “living space” architecture.‘

Kia will be releasing the first big mass market electric SUV with three rows of seats in the US later this year and the EV9 just got detailed further.

The base RWD EV9 with the smaller battery of the e-GMP 800V platform will only offer a 220-mile range, though. Well, not that much longer, as it is still a big and heavy electric SUV that reportedly maxes out at a 290-mile EPA range for the RWD version with the larger battery. The KIA EV9 can have the two rear rows of seats facing each other like in a limo with a simple 180 degree turn of the middle row. [Kia EV9](https://www.notebookcheck.net/Kia-announces-EV9-SUV-will-launch-in-Europe-in-2023-and-confirms-more-specs.610578.0.html) will be the first tangible choice for an affordable big electric SUV with three rows of seats when it is released in the US later this year. The distance between the steering wheel and the windshield has been shortened by a more minimalistic dash, too. A low center of gravity for an SUV is a bit unusual.

The Kia EV9 is a three-row, full-size SUV that happens to have electric power.

The wide dashboard is also a great way to make the big interior feel even bigger. All Kia has said is that this will ride on the same modular E-GMP bones as the EV6 as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Kia labels it “Digital Tiger Face,” a reference to the “Tiger Nose” on its existing gas models. The Kia EV9 is a big deal. It’s also a few inches wider than the Telluride. Look past the concept car styling and second-row seating to see just how big it is.

The all-electric SUV combines rugged and sleek design, has movable seating, and is the first to use the company's autonomous driving tech.

As for speed, the EV9’s 0-to 60-mph target is 5 seconds, not far off the EV6 AWD (5.2 seconds). Indeed, it’s a neat trick to combine “rugged” and “sleek,” but Kia might just have managed it here. Yes, polygons.

Power and range still haven't been revealed, but here's your first official look at Kia's three-row electric crossover.

It also appears you can turn the seats 90 degrees, as well, which could make it easier for parents to put a child in a car seat. The cabin itself appears spacious and airy, although a panoramic sunroof appears conspicuously absent. In case you missed it: [Your Worst Gas Station Stories](https://jalopnik.com/here-are-your-worst-gas-station-stories-1850225500) [Every Generation of Porsche 911, Ranked](https://jalopnik.com/every-generation-of-porsche-911-ranked-1850221031) [Terrible Cars That Were a Waste of a Good Engine](https://jalopnik.com/terrible-cars-wasting-good-i6-v6-v8-engines-1850219398) It’s boxy and has a distinctive look that isn’t going to get lost in the parking lot. The yoke is gone, replaced with a regular steering wheel that has actual buttons on it. [the EV9 concept](https://jalopnik.com/the-kia-ev9-concept-is-all-about-aero-and-sadly-a-yok-1848079114) at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late 2021.

Strong SUV identity fused with elegant EV styling to reshape both the segment and way of life for the electrified era.

Two 12.3-inch touch screens integrated with one 5-inch segment display improve the digital experience, offering effortless control of the vehicle’s functions and ensuring physical buttons are kept to a minimum. These values have played a pivotal role in the creation of the interior of the EV9. The seats in the second row can be effortlessly swiveled 180 degrees so that occupants can interact with those sitting in the third row. Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric vehicle architecture have facilitated the creation of generous space for all occupants to connect and relax with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats. In particular, the ‘Bold for Nature’ pillar of the ideology, which inspires the combination of elements from the natural and material worlds, has played a key role in forming the exterior design of the EV9. The Kia EV9 represents a pivotal step forward in the company’s journey towards becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider.

In particular, the 'Bold for Nature' pillar of the ideology has played a key role in forming the exterior design of the EV9.

This new vehicle typology provides instinctive experiences and excellent comfort for not just the driver, but all occupants, through innovative use of space, technology and design.” “The Kia EV9 offers customers an exceptionally high-quality proposition and a fresh EV perspective in the family SUV sector. Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric vehicle architecture have facilitated the creation of generous space for all occupants.

A luxurious three-row electric SUV from Kia is previewed. A $2.5 billion federal program will help get more charging to communities and local travel ...

Part of the $7.5 billion designated toward a national charging network under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021, the program balances with the highway-focused NEVI program that provides funding at the state level and already has interest from Tesla, among others. Full details on the luxurious EV9 are due later this month. And what’s the greatest safety concern related to EVs?

The Kia EV9 is a battery electric SUV with third row seating and tons of room inside. Is this the EV America has been waiting for?

From the photos and descriptions, it looks to be one helluva good automobile for those who require a fully electric 6- or 7-passenger people mover that can also accommodate a tuba or bass fiddle. Another important feature of the E-GMP platform is that it is configured at the factory to support vehicle-to-grid operation. The company says it can even be used to recharge another EV should the need arise. Presumably, by the time production gets started, the EV9 will be eligible for some if not all of the federal EV tax incentives. In 800V mode, it can take advantage of the 350 kW chargers that are becoming available in more locations. “Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric vehicle architecture have facilitated the creation of generous space for all occupants to connect and relax with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats, the company says. Two 12.3-inch touch screens integrated with one 5-inch segment display improve the digital experience, offering effortless control of the vehicle’s functions and ensuring physical buttons are kept to a minimum.” The Kia EV9 is the proof that EVs really can be bigger on the inside than they appear. [press release](https://press.kia.com/eu/en/home/media-resouces/press-releases/2023/The-Kia-EV9-revealed.html), Karim Habib says, “The Kia EV9 breaks new ground, aiming to redefine standards for design, connectivity, usability and environmental responsibility. And I think that heritage is really nice because it drives us to get to things that are bold.” I work every day with engineers and product people and they are always trying to make a better product — to be proud of the products that they make. The Kia EV9 is one of the first large-battery electric SUVs on the market with true third-row seating.

The Kia EV6 is one of the best and most attractive EVs on sale. Now, it's got a big brother.

Unlike the Telluride, though, seating caps out at seven. The seats are the coolest part. The front is an evolution of Kia's famous "Tiger" grille, which defined the last decade of the brand.

The 2024 Kia EV9 is the all-electric Telluride with plenty to charm to take on the ageing Tesla Model X.

The The brand says that they have designed the interior of the electric SUV to be comfortable and rich with technology. All-wheel drive will be optional and available with the dual-motor layout. But this also hints at what we can expect from the EV9 in terms of its power output and range. With all the attractive features, a commendable range, quirky nature and the lower pricing, the Kia EV9 makes the Tesla Model X irrelevant. It is not as sleek as the Model X, but it doesn't need to be. The EV9 will not get the rear-hinged suicide doors at the back, but that was quite a stretch. If priced right, the [EV9 could easily wipe the floor with the Tesla Model X](https://www.hotcars.com/this-is-how-kias-ev9-can-defeat-the-tesla-model-x/) and offer tough competition to rivals from Rivian and Mercedes-Benz. The Telluride's electric sibling looks fantastic, and has all the ingredients to make it [the first three-row all-electric SUV](https://www.hotcars.com/kia-ev9-mid-size-suv-range-price-interior/) from the Korean brand and would be the most affordable in its class. And the ones on sale, like the Model X, are out of reach of regular buyers. [Kia](https://www.hotcars.com/tag/kia/) captured everyone's attention with the stunning EV9 Concept back in 2021.

Kia's battery-electric three-row crossover looks to the past for solutions for the future.

In the second row are captain’s chairs that can swivel 180 degrees to allow in-person meetings with those in the third row while you’re waiting for the EV9 to charge. Even though the reverse-opening rear doors didn’t make it to the production line, the EV9’s interior is almost as interesting. Kia says the EV9 can accommodate six or seven occupants. [have been part of automotive interior design for decades](https://www.thehogring.com/2014/02/27/an-old-school-spin-on-bucket-seats/). The interior might be an even bigger departure from the concept than exterior styling, but the folks at Kia turned a pedestrian people mover into a conversation piece. These range from seats that simply swing away to help folks get in and out of cars, to seats that fully rotate backward to help chat with your friends or hold a small conference on the highway.