Kia’s upcoming EV9 SUV is generating significant buzz, thanks to its striking design, spacious three-row configuration, and electric powertrain. As the vehicle prepares to make its way to the United States by late 2023, Kia is confident that finding eager buyers won’t be an issue. Although the exact pricing for the US market remains undisclosed, new information from the EV9’s home market in South Korea provides a valuable clue.
Kia has recently unveiled pricing details for the EV9 in Korea. While it’s important to note that the North American version may have variations in specifications and currency conversion can be deceptive, comparing the pricing relative to other vehicles in the Korean lineup can offer insights.
In Korea, the base model of the EV9 is priced at 78.1 million won, which roughly translates to $60,378 based on current exchange rates. However, what’s more noteworthy is that the entry-level EV9 sits just slightly above the top-tier EV6 model, the EV6 GT, which carries a price tag of 77.3 million won ($59,760).
Interestingly, the converted price of the Korean EV6 GT aligns closely with the $61,600 manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the GT variant available in the US market. Considering the $1,300 destination charge and a comparable price differential of $618 observed in Korea between the EV6 GT and EV9, it is plausible to estimate a US on-the-road price of approximately $63,500 for the EV9. In comparison, the smaller Cadillac Lyriq starts at $58,590.
At first glance, some might perceive this price as steep for a Kia, even a larger one. For reference, the brand’s largest combustion SUV, the Telluride, which shares a similar size with the EV9, ranges from $35,890 (excluding destination charge) for the base LX model to $52,985 for the top-tier SX Prestige X-Pro flagship trim.
However, Kia has undergone a transformation, distancing itself from its budget-friendly image. The EV9 stands out as a unique offering with few direct competitors, and even with a price exceeding $60,000, it significantly undercuts rivals such as the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S. Furthermore, the actual transaction price could be considerably lower due to potential tax credits, provided Kia adheres to battery sourcing requirements.
Beginning in 2024, the EV9 will be manufactured in the United States at Kia’s Georgia plant. Most variants are expected to fall below the $80,000 price threshold for SUVs. In the event that the SUV faces challenges related to battery regulations, Kia can leverage a loophole that extends aid to leased EVs, even if they don’t meet the specific regulations. This could potentially reduce the effective price to around $55,000, a figure that has been suggested by certain sources as a baseline for the EV9 in the US market.
In South Korea, buyers can also take advantage of tax incentives and discounts, allowing someone in Seoul to potentially reduce the price of a base-spec EV9 Air 2WD from 78.1 million won to 69.2 million won ($53,500). Additionally, Korean customers benefit from digital door mirrors and a second row of seats that rotate to face the third row, features that unfortunately won’t be available in the US version of the EV9.