Kia has just released full images of its first three-row electric flagship SUV, the Kia EV9. This vehicle encapsulates bold styling and sophisticated elegance inside and out, and represents a pivotal step forward in the company’s journey towards becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider.
“The Kia EV9 breaks new ground, aiming to redefine standards for design, connectivity, usability and environmental responsibility. The Kia EV9 offers customers an exceptionally high-quality proposition and a fresh EV perspective in the family SUV sector. This new vehicle typology provides instinctive experiences and excellent comfort for not just the driver, but all occupants, through innovative use of space, technology and design.”
— Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center
The exterior design of the Kia EV9 is guided by the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, which strives to create vehicles with unprecedented visual appeal. In particular, the ‘Bold for Nature’ pillar of the ideology, which inspires the combination of elements from the natural and material worlds, has played a key role in forming the exterior design of the EV9. The result is a vehicle that effortlessly combines an undoubted aura of rugged capability for all conditions, with the serene calmness of a sophisticated EV that paves new paths for future electric SUV design.
The front of the EV9 is characterized by simple clear-cut lines and body surfaces, which exude confidence, clarity, and calmness in equal measure. Accentuated by the ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’ and striking vertical headlamps, the EV9’s signature ‘Digital Tiger Face’ imparts a visionary and futuristic look and feel. The Digital Tiger Face features two clusters of small cube lamps within the bodywork adjacent to each headlamp. The EV9’s innovative ‘Star Map LED daytime running lights (DRL)’ create a new illumination experience and deliver a sophisticated animated lighting pattern that will denote Kia’s Digital Tiger Face for the brand’s future EV models.
The side profile of the EV9 effortlessly combines a strong and indisputable SUV identity with exceptional aerodynamic efficiency. Dynamic triangular fender structures and highly pronounced geometric wheel arches combine with the fuselage body, unifying the polygonal elements into a cohesive structure that presents a determined look. Flush door handles and a tapered back roofline give a sense of smooth and efficient motion.
The EV9’s tailgate features sleek and streamlined lines that are expertly complemented by the slim rear lights, mirroring the bold design seen at the front of the vehicle, providing a sense of confidence and strength from all angles.
The interior of the EV9 has been designed to create a new social space with enhanced comfort and technology. Built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV9’s long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat electric vehicle architecture have facilitated the creation of generous space for all occupants to connect and relax with lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats. Offered in both six and seven-seat formats, Kia captured feedback from families to evaluate seating configurations and features to ensure the EV9 delivers equality of space, comfort, and experience for all occupants without placing all of its focus on the driver.
Passengers in the first and second rows can take advantage of the EV9’s charging time to recline their seats and unwind in complete comfort. Additionally, the second-row seats are designed to swivel 180 degrees, providing the flexibility for occupants to face the third-row and interact with fellow passengers. Kia has also added cup holders and charging points for mobile devices in the third-row seats, ensuring that all occupants can stay connected and hydrated during their journey.
The EV9’s cabin is a testament to Kia’s commitment to exceptional design and functionality. The vehicle’s interior is both spacious and airy, offering passengers ample room to stretch out and relax. The dashboard is a standout feature of the EV9’s design, featuring a floating panoramic display that extends from the steering wheel to the center of the vehicle. The dashboard houses two 12.3-inch touch screens, which are seamlessly integrated with a 5-inch segment display, allowing passengers to easily control the vehicle’s functions with minimal physical buttons. Kia has succeeded in creating a premium, user-friendly interior that provides the ultimate driving experience.
The center console is equipped with ample storage options, including a spacious compartment located at its base. The center console doors are further designed to add to the overall refinement of the interior space.
Kia’s EV9 features an extended high-definition audio-visual, navigation, and telematics (AVNT) display, which elevates the in-car experience to new heights. The AVNT screen seamlessly connects passengers with the digital world, allowing them to interact with ease. To keep the dashboard sleek and refined, the AVNT screen is supported by hidden touch buttons, which also provide easy control for the start/stop function, along with the vehicle’s AVNT and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Overall, the Kia EV9 is a game-changer in the electric SUV market, with its innovative design and state-of-the-art technology. The EV9 represents Kia’s commitment to sustainability and mobility, and it is clear that the company is taking bold steps forward to achieve its goals.
The Kia EV9 is set to make its digital global premiere in late March, and Kia will disclose all product information and roll out the global campaign with the slogan, ‘Here to reshape the way we move.’ We can’t wait to see what Kia has in store for us with this exciting new vehicle, and we’re sure that it will be a hit with drivers and passengers alike.
Photos courtesy of Kia Corporation
