Kia has revealed its 2024 EV9 model and it is packed with tons of features including level three autonomy and clever aerodynamics that reduce drag and thus increase range.

Kia’s new three-row electric SUV comes with three, the RWD Long Range model, the Standard RWD model, and the AWD model. All three models are based on Hyundai Group’s E-GMP electric vehicle architecture.

 EV9 RWD Standard

• 76.1 kWh battery pack
• 160 kilowatts (215-horsepower)
• 350 Newton-meters of torque
• 0-100 km/h in 8.2 seconds

EV9 RWD Long Range

• 99.8 kWh battery pack (rated to do a distance of 541km on a single charge)
• Aerodynamic wheels
• 150-kW (201-hp)
• 350 Newton-meters of torque
• 0-100 km/h in 9.4 seconds
• Target range of over 541 km

EV9 AWD

• Two electric motors
• 283 kW (380 hp)
• 600 Nm of torque
• 0-100 km/h in 6 seconds
• ‘Boost’ feature available to purchase and download from the Kia Connect Store (increases torque to 700Nm, reducing the 0-100km/h time to 5.3 seconds)

The aerodynamically designed rims for the EV9 come with a choice of 19, 20, or 21-inch.

Although no driving range has been specified for the RWD Standard and AWD models, the ultra-fast 800 Volt charging system adds 238km of range in approximately 15 minutes.

The EV9 also features a Vehicle-to-Load functionality through its Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) that allows up to 3.68 kW of power for users to charge laptops or use camping equipment, among other things.

Kia also revealed the EV9 never-before-seen GT-Line trim which will feature:

• Unique bumpers
• Trim-exclusive wheels
• Black roof rack
• Digital Pattern Lightning Grill (Kia’s new technology that allows light to shine through the body color paint)
• Customisable front end pattern (additional patterns can be purchased)

The biggest highlight of the EV9 is the Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) which will enable conditional Level 3 autonomous driving thanks to the 15 sensors, including two lidars (Light Detection and Ranging) but for now, it’s going to be limited to the GT-Line model.

The EV9 comes with a seven-seater option and three different captain’s chairs options which are:

• Basic captain’s chair
• Relaxation (allows a full lay-back recline in both the first and second rows)
• Swivel-type (allows you to spin 180 degrees and face the third row)

Kia has swapped out the leather-based interior for more sustainable materials. It uses bio components like corn extract to provide the same feel as leather instead. Piano black plastic can be found everywhere you look whether it be the doors, dash, or sliding center console.

Other features include:

• Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (automatically maneuver the EV9 into a parking space)
• Blind-spot collision avoidance
• Floating panoramic dashboard
• Two 12.3-inch touchscreens integrated with a 5-inch segment display 

The EV9’s price has not yet been disclosed, but its U.S. debut is scheduled for the second half of 2023. It remains to be seen if the EV9 will enter the Malaysian market.