Kia was previously rumored to be launching a large SUV that will be powered by an electric engine, in the near future. This rumor is likely to be true, as Kia was recently caught doing a test ride of an SUV that looks like an EV9 concept.
The SUV picked up is a production version of the EV9 concept unveiled at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, and is expected to go on sale in the second half of 2023, possibly as a model year 2024.
The prototype for the production EV9 refers to an SUV with a style similar to a show car that looks quite striking, but with refined design details. Kia says that the EV9 concept represents about 80-90% of what the production model will see.
See also: What we know so far about Kia EV9 specifications
The EV9 concept measures about 194 inches, or about three inches smaller than the Kia Telluride, and this seems to have been retained on the production EV9. The Kia EV9 will carry the Hyundai Motor Group E-GMP platform. The platform has an 800-volt electrical system, bidirectional charging, and, in Kia’s EV6 GT, offers 576 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque.
Judging by some of the specifications of the EV9 concept, the production model should have a range of around 300 miles and the ability to charge the battery from 10-80% in under 30 minutes. Fast charging will be possible when using a 350 kilowatt charger.
Kia is going into electric cars in a big way. The automaker plans to have 14 electric cars by 2027, including electric pickup trucks. It is rumored that at least two Kia electric cars will be launched per year from 2023 until the end of 2027.
Kia EV9