The All-New 2024 Kia EV9: The Ultimate Family Electric Vehicle, Combining Innovation, Space, and Adventure
In creating the first-ever Kia EV9 SUV electric vehicle (EV), the design team envisioned a harmonious fusion of spaciousness and a spirit of adventure. It's attributes like these that render the EV9 an ideal family-friendly electric vehicle.
"There's a little bit different flavor of customer there," said Steven Center, Kia North America's Chief Operating Officer. He elaborated that the EV9 is likely to appeal to mainstream SUV buyers who live active lifestyles and want an SUV EV that fits it. Moreover, the all-new Kia EV9 is also an ideal choice for those who value design, style and technology, with utility as an important criterion for their vehicle selection.
Kia leveraged the market understanding from its previous EVs and the EV6 lineup to develop a new, more family-oriented electric vehicle. "It's an SUV that happens to be electric," said Center, emphasizing the importance of incorporating SUV attributes that resonate most with the customers. It was foundational that this vehicle would be 100% electric.
Synergy of Design and Advanced Technology
The Kia EV9 emerges as a technological masterpiece with its strikingly futuristic design and state-of-the-art technologies. Center describes the design ethos as "opposites united," notably combining cutting-edge digital sophistication with the SUV's toughness.
"There was a moment when Kia broke through and distinguished itself, not only in the marketplace but from what the history of Kia was," said Center, underscoring the pivotal role of this breakthrough in shaping the design of Kia's mid-size electric SUVs. "Proportion is the magic," adds Center as he lists the long wheelbase, minimal front and rear overhangs, and width-to-height ratio that exude a muscular stance and yield a roomy interior. These ratios, he explains, strike the perfect balance, resulting in an overall aesthetic that feels unequivocally right. Beyond the proportions and style, the EV9's advanced exterior lighting system accentuates the design with a functional, high-tech look.
Spaciousness for Every Outing
One standout feature of the new Kia EV9 is its interior design and seating capacity, which can accommodate up to seven people. This spaciousness was primarily achieved using Kia's E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which has been engineered specifically for EVs. The E-GMP is produced with neither an internal combustion engine (ICE) nor a hybrid powertrain. It was designed around the sizeable high-voltage battery, which is neatly packaged under the floor and helps enable generous interior space.
"The E-GMP is a superb blank canvas to build an SUV EV, and it is a great foundation if you want to make a family SUV," said Center. He emphasizes that this platform is essential in liberating a significant amount of interior space within the vehicle, allowing the Kia EV9 to fulfill its role as a three-row mid-size SUV.
As a result, this provides many benefits for the families on the go. "These vehicles are designed to lead a busy life," said Center, underscoring that the Kia EV9 has been designed with the family lifestyle in mind, prioritizing interior space design with improved access to the third row and seamless folding of the rear rows.
Range for Family Adventures
The Kia EV9 aims to inspire families to venture beyond their local areas and explore new destinations. Beyond the mid-size SUV utility, what sets the EV9 apart is its exceptional fast-charging capability, thanks to its 800-volt electrical architecture. Many EVs use a 400-volt architecture, which has lower limits on how fast it can charge, "The EV6 and EV9 run on 800 volts; this is important for a couple of reasons. One is that voltage allows you to charge very quickly," Center explains. He adds that this fits the busy lifestyle of Kia EV owners. "There's a big shift toward EVs because electric motors are typically very efficient, and the overall energy efficiency is key to why we are shifting to more and more EVs," concludes Center.
The Kia EV9 is available with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated 304 miles of all-electric range on the Light Long Range (RWD)1. When designing the EV9, Kia's engineers innovated on battery cell chemistry, aerodynamics, electric motor design and controls, DC-to-AC power inverters, and wheel designs, among others, to boost efficiency and increase range. An "all of the above" strategy.
"The EV9's core powertrain parts are designed and engineered in-house, which means that we can control the characteristics," emphasizes Center. While Kia designs and engineers the motors, controls, and inverters internally, SK On supplies the battery cells, showcasing Kia's distinctive approach through industry collaboration, emphasizing quality control and unique specifications for the EV9.
Onboard Power Generator
A unique feature of the Kia EV9 is its V2L (Vehicle-To-Load) capability2. The operation of V2L has already garnered praise from its introduction in the Kia EV6 model. You can connect certain electric devices to your car, such as a projector for movie nights, refrigerator, audio equipment, or others - simply by plugging a coupler into the charging port that enables 110-volt items to be plugged in.
In keeping with its other future-forward features, the Kia EV9 is also designed to support V2H capabilities. For properly equipped homes, V2H can enable Kia EV9 owners to reverse the flow of energy from the vehicle's high voltage EV battery to their home, powering a variety of devices and appliances. "The next step would be to allow the grid to borrow your car at certain times of the day," explains Center, alluding to the innovative V2G technology under development by Kia's engineers.
Broader Vision for Family-Friendly Electric Vehicles
Kia's strategic vision for the upcoming years is focused on electric vehicles, and it's evident why. The sales of electric cars continue to surge in the United States, with EV sales increasing by +60% in 2023 YTD (Oct.) according to Industry data (S&P Global). This indicates a clear growing trend toward EVs. "It is remarkable how big the EV appetite is," highlights Center.
The much-awaited Kia EV9 will be available in dealerships nationwide later this year. Over the next five years, Kia is committed to expanding its product range by advancing energy innovation and enhancing mobility, with new EVs. "Most of those EVs are going to be set up around SUVs," says Center.
"EVs are an important pillar in the company's efforts," concludes Center, describing Kia's aspirations and strategy for the next decade. The journey ahead is electrifying and family-friendly; that's how Kia sees it.
1 Based on combined (city/highway) EPA estimates on a full battery charge. Actual range will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, charging practice, battery age, weather, temperature and your vehicle's condition. Battery capacity will decrease with time and use. For more information on range, please see www.fueleconomy.gov.
2 Onboard Power Generator, also known as V2L, V2H and V2G, requires the purchase of separately sold additional equipment and may not be compatible with all devices and homes. These features can be used until the battery's charge falls to 20 percent. . Refer to the vehicle's Owner's Manual for warnings and instructions.
