This boxy 3-row all-electric SUV from Kia can be had in either a 6- or 7-seat configuration locally.
Following on from clinching the title as the World Car (and World EV) of the Year for 2024, local distributors Dinamikjaya Motors has since saw it fit to finally bring in the Kia EV9 to our shores. Available in two GT-line variants with differing number of seats, this all-electric large SUV lands locally from South Korea with a price tag that starts from RM 368,888 for the seven-seater and RM 373,888 for the six-seater.
If going by Kia’s own marketing blurb, the EV9 supposedly “epitomises bold styling and sophisticated elegance inside and out”. Its bold and confident visual presence was supposedly inspired by the automaker’s “Opposites United” design philosophy, with this boxy SUV re-envisioned with a unique balance of natural and modern elements.
And for those who don’t speak marketing, what the above paragraph essentially translates to is a rather striking looking thing. Up front with the EV9 is Kia’s signature “Digital Tiger Face”, which in turn is accentuated by the “Digital Pattern Lighting Grille” that features twin vertical headlights and small cube lamps adjacent to it.
Found down the 5,010 mm length of this massive SUV meanwhile are similarly massive 21-inch black alloy wheels, which features a futuristic boxy design to match its boxy overarches and general profile. More interesting however on the side of this EV9 is the standard fitment of cameras over conventional side mirrors, while its rather clean rump design is to be highlighted by a funky pair of vertical LED taillights.
Moving within the EV9 now, this 3-row Kia e-SUV nets a total of five screens on its straight-edged dashboard. Two of which are to be 12.3-inch items for the digital instrument cluster and central infotainment touchscreen, while the other three are to be a display each on the A-pillar for the side camera feed and yet another a 5-inch segment display squeezed in between the two main screens.
Also available as standard within the EV9 is a rear-view mirror that doubles as a display for a rear camera, and naturally the infotainment features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Thrown in among the long list of kit too are ambient mood lighting on the armrests and map pocket, in addition to a 14-speaker Meridian surround audio system ‘that delivers a truly immersive sound experience’.
Now as mentioned previously, Kia is bringing in two variants of this EV9 with either six or seven seats. The latter configuration features a 60:40 split-folding bench in the second row with one-touch sliding function, while the six-seat trim nets two individual electrically-operated Relaxion thrones with built-in ottomans.
As for what lies underneath, the EV9 is to be Kia’s second model built upon its Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and the first to feature fourth-generation battery technology designed for improved energy density. Both variants of this large all-electric SUV sold locally will pack a 99.8 kWh lithium-ion battery powering a motor on each axle, which in turn delivers 380 hp and 700 Nm of torque, and more importantly up to 505 km of driving range from a single charge (based on the WLTP test cycle).
In terms of charging, the EV9 can take up to 350 kW from a DC charger to go from a 10-80% state of charge in 24 minutes. AC charging on the other hand peaks at just 11 kW, with a full charge requiring over 10 hours. The flexibility of its Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) charging system nevertheless enables the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which can supply up to 3.6 kWh of power from the vehicle’s battery for the operation of lifestyle electronic accessories.
Touching on safety finally, the Kia EV9 is equipped with both standard and advanced safety features. These include 10 SRS airbags (Front Driver & Passenger, Driver Knee, Side, Curtain and Centre Side), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Safe Exit Assist (SEA) system which automatically provides a warning and locks the door if an approaching vehicle from the rear side is detected within the blind spot. Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), ISOFIX Child Restraint Anchor Points and Top Tethers as well as Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) also comes as standard.
The long list of acronyms then continue on with High Beam Assist (HBA), Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist (RCCA), which detects oncoming vehicles approaching from either side when reversing out of a tight parking spot. In addition, there is also the Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW) and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA2) with Junction Turning (JT), Junction Crossing (JX), Lane-Change Oncoming (LCO), Direct Oncoming (DO), Lane-Change Side (LCS), Driving Steering Assist (DSA) and Auto Evasive Steering Assist (ESA), which provides preventive safety when navigating through junctions. Completing the Advanced Driver Assisted System features are the Lane Following Assist (LFA2) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).
A total of five colours make up the EV9 palette in Malaysia, with these being: Ocean Blue, Snow White Pearl, Pebble Gray, Aurora Black Pearl and Iceberg Green. Its aftersales package in turn includes a 5-year or 150,000 km manufacturer warranty and an 8-year or 160,000 km EV battery coverage.
