The Kia EV9 has been revealed in official pictures, showing us one of the most striking SUVs ever to hail from South Korea. It will do battle with premium rivals such as the Land Rover Range Rover, Audi Q7 and BMW X7.
Update: Since this guide was published, we have driven the Kia EV9. Click here to read our full Kia EV9 Review
Kia EV9 electric SUV: exterior and interior design
An imposing design is key to the appeal of any flagship SUV and the Kia EV9 – which is significantly bigger than the Sorento – has that in spades, with a square shape that’s more old-school offroader than high-tech EV.
That starts with a flat face and a blank valance where you would expect to find a grille. It’s been laser etched to allow a customisable LED light pattern to shine from behind the grille.
The Best Electric Cars for Families 2022
On either side, you get a cluster of headlamps and daytime running lights that create a Star Map lighting effect, which should make the EV9 stand out at night. The simple design of the front of the car makes it look solid and reassuring.
The Tonka toy look continues around the sides. Beefy wheel arches house 21-inch alloy wheels and give the Kia the presence of a rugby prop, while the black and grey lower panels emphasise the car’s (already significant) ground clearance. The suicide (rear-hinged) rear doors of the concept car have been replaced with conventional doors in the production model.
There are also some subtle nods to the car’s electric powertrain, including its aero-optimised alloy wheels and flush door handles, while practical touches include roof bars and large wing mirrors. The mirrors will likely have rear-facing cameras hooked up to the car’s infotainment screen to give you a clear view of the car's blind spots.
Kia Sorento: Watch Our Review of Kia's Current SUV Flagship
The back end finishes as the front began. It's square and substantial, with pretty LEDs that will be easy to spot at night. The subtle roof spoiler should aid efficiency and will help keep the rear windscreen clean by smoothing the airflow off the back of the car.
Inside, the Kia EV9 has a flat floor that takes advantage of the easy-to-package electric powertrain.
Two 12.3-inch infotainment screens dominate your view from the driver's seat and merge to form a massive display. Physical buttons are kept to a minimum but are relied on for often-used systems like the stereo and ventilation temperature. The EV9 will feature a full suite of autonomous driving modes, as well as off-road driver settings, with controls for both mounted on the steering wheel.
EV9 too big? Read Our Review of the Kia e Niro electric SUV
Cabin quality looks to be very good. Touch-sensitive buttons shine from behind a band of trim that stretches the length of the dashboard, and the controls are illuminated by mood lighting that moves from the dashboard onto the door pockets – handy for seeing what's inside. You also get a large, lidded hold-all where you’d usually find a gear selector in one of the Kia's petrol or diesel-powered rivals.
The EV9 will be available in six- or seven-seat configurations. The former has two seats in the front and back, with a pair of captain’s chairs in the middle that swivel 180 degrees and recline.
The captain’s chairs are replaced with a three-seater bench in seven-seater models. All three rows get their own cupholders and charging points.
Kia EV9 electric SUV: price and release date
The entry-level Kia EV9 Air will cost from £64,995, moving up to £75,995 for a top-of-the-range GT-Line S model. While expensive relative to Kia's other models, these prices represent impressive value for a flagship electric SUV that is a direct (albeit less glitzy) alternative to the £130,000 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, or the equally posh (but significantly smaller) Audi Q8 e-tron. The Kia EV9 is available to pre-order now, with the first cars expected to be with customers in early 2024.