Good news, it has retained majority of its unique design from the concept
Remember the Kia EV9 concept that debuted at the LA Motor Show in 2021? Well, the carmaker has finally revealed how the three-row SUV will look inside and out in production form, and thankfully it retains most of the bold nature that made the concept stand out.
Starting with the design, it continues to sport a boxy silhouette like the concept, while also looking relatively sleek thanks to Kia’s new “Opposites United” design language. Up front what stands out are those slim headlamps, flanked by intricate LED DRLs called Star Map that nicely integrate with the face. Of course, being an EV there is no grille.
Head towards the sides and the minimalist body is complemented by chunky arches with the window line having a sharp uptick as it heads towards the tailgate. The chunky wheels from the concept have been swapped out with futuristic wheels. At the rear, the simple design complemented by a spoiler and L-shaped tail lamps give a snazzy look.
Inside, the Kia EV9’s layout is simple and minimalist, while exuding a futuristic ambience. At the top of the dashboard is a well integrated 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and digital driver’s display, with a dedicated row of touch-sensitive buttons below it for the touchscreen. Below it there’s another row of buttons for climate control functions. The steering wheel also looks quite busy with a slew of controls.
Being a three-row SUV space and practicality is unsurprisingly the focus. While the first two rows get power-recline functions, the real party trick is for the second-row passengers. Basically, the seats can rotate up to 180 degrees, facing the third row. The third row itself offers convenience bits such as phone charging points and cup holders.
While we are yet to get details on the electric SUV’s powertrain specifications, we know the concept is capable of pushing a claimed range of up to 482 kms. A 350kW fast charger allows a 10 to 80 percent charge in around 20-30 minutes.
Expect more details on the features and specifications of the Kia EV9 to surface later this month when it is revealed in full. Considering that the EV9 did show up at Auto Expo 2023, expect an India launch soon after. Nevertheless, Kia has already confirmed up to 14 battery electric vehicles in the works for 2027 with one of them being an India-specific EV that will debut in 2025.
