The Kia EV9 will soon enter showrooms in Australia as the second dedicated fully electric model from the brand, following the EV6. And it’s a big boy. Think of it as like a Kia Sorento on steroids and with fully electric power.
Standing at 5010mm long, 1980mm wide, and 1755mm tall, the EV9 is a whopping 200mm longer, 80mm wider and 55mm taller than the current Sorento. With a 3100mm wheelbase (285mm longer than Sorento), you can start to imagine the sort of cabin space this thing will offer.
Being such a big (and likely heavy) vehicle, it’s no wonder battery sizes top out at a massive 99.8kWh. That’s for the long range, twin-motor (AWD) version. A 76.1kWh single-motor (RWD) variant will also be on offer in Australia. Overseas, the GT-Line model produces 283kW and 600Nm, while the RWD version develops 160kW and 350Nm.
Inside, the layout is clean and clutter-free, but with some EV-style elements. Digital side mirrors will be available, and the lack of a centre driveline tunnel (riding on the E-GMP architecture) means heaps of open space. Boot capacity has been listed at 571 litres with all three rows of seats up, which is very impressive.
The new model will introduce Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) technology, with over-the-air update capability. Kia says the new interface platform offers more processing power while being user-friendly, with fresh graphics.
Buyers will be offered an advanced form of adaptive cruise control as well, which includes something Kia calls Highway Driving Assist 2. As the name suggests, this is a second generation of Kia’s driving assist system, bringing in Lane Following Assist. The new system is able to keep the vehicle centred in the lane including during bends.
As usual with Kia products in Australia, the local engineering team has been busy conducting testing and tuning on the big rig to ensure it suits our conditions. Kia Australia’s chief ride and handling engineer, Graeme Gambold, said:
“Overall, we are very happy with how the EV9 drives. It is comfortable, confident and surprisingly nimble despite its dimensions and mass. We aimed to make it capable not only in the urban jungle but, also enjoyable on a long drive and on challenging rougher roads. It does a great job absorbing bumps around town and soaks up the rough stuff at higher speeds on typical country roads, whilst maintaining good body control.”
Kia Australia has confirmed the EV9 will arrive in October. Prices and local specs will be announced closer to its launch.
