The Kia EV9 has finally landed in Australia – and it’s the most expensive model in the Korean brand’s stable, ever.

    Prices start from $97,000 before on-road costs for the entry-level Air RWD, and top out at $121,000 plus on-road costs for the flagship GT-Line AWD.

    The Air and GT-Line versions are hitting dealerships now, with the mid-spec Earth AWD ($106,500) due to land early in 2024. According to Kia Australia, the mid-tier version was affected by component shortages.

    Kia’s Australian division claims it has received over 12,000 expressions of interest for its new all-electric SUV flagship, with over 200 pre-launch orders already placed. First vehicles are arriving this month.

    In addition to being the most expensive model the brand has offered in Australia, the Kia EV9 debuts a number of new features for the local range, including a new infotainment system with over-the-air updates, a more sophisticated navigation-based semi-autonomous highway drive assistant, as well as camera-based Digital Side Mirrors on the top-spec variant.

    Pricing

    • 2024 Kia EV9 Air RWD: $97,000
    • 2024 Kia EV9 Earth AWD: $106,500
    • 2024 Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD: $121,000

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Drivetrains

    The base Air RWD features a single-motor drivetrain, with a 160kW/350Nm power unit on the rear axle. Claimed 0-100km/h is 8.2 seconds, with top speed rated at 190km/h.

    Both the Earth and GT-Line get a dual-motor AWD drivetrain, with 141kW/350Nm electric motors mounted to each axle – system outputs are 283kW/700Nm. Quoted acceleration times differ slightly for the AWD models, with the Earth claiming 6.0 seconds and the GT-Line cutting that to 5.3 seconds.

    In Korea the 700Nm tune (up from 600Nm) is an over-the-air upgrade available for purchase via the Kia Connect store, which brings the faster 0-100 time. Kia Australia maintains both variants get 700Nm locally as standard, though only the GT-Line gets the faster acceleration time.

    Efficiency

    The EV9 Air features a 76.1kWh lithium-ion Standard Range battery, featuring 348 cells and a voltage rating of 632V. Kia quotes a battery pack weight of 463.3kg, mounted under the floor. WLTP range is up to 443 kilometres for the Air (19.5kWh/100km), which is the lowest of the line-up.

    Both the Earth and GT-Line get a dual-motor AWD drivetrain, with 141kW/350Nm electric motors mounted to each axle – system outputs are 283kW/700Nm.

    AWD models score a Long Range battery with 99.8kWh of capacity, featuring 456 cells and a voltage of 552V. Battery weight is 566.5kg.

    WLTP range is 512km (22.3kWh/100km) for the Earth on 19-inch alloys, while the flagship GT-Line quotes 505km (22.8kWh/100km) on its larger 21-inch rims.

    Dimensions

    The EV9 Air measures 5010mm long, 1980mm wide and 1755mm tall on a 3100mm wheelbase. The GT-Line is slightly longer (5015mm) and taller (1780mm).

    There’s a claimed 333L with seven seats in use, expanding to 828L in five-seat configuration and 2318L with the second and third rows folded. All quoted measurements are VDA.

    Servicing and Warranty

    As with the wider Kia line-up, the EV9 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. The high-voltage battery and motor are covered for seven years or 150,000 kilometres – whichever comes first.

    The EV9 requires maintenance every 12 months or 15,000 kilometres, with several pre-paid packages available. Kia offers three-, five- and seven-year packages which list for $706, $1351 and $1997 respectively.

    Unfortunately Kia doesn’t offer a public charger subscription like many premium brands do at this end of the EV market, though representatives told media it’s working on a “potential supplier” for public and home charging solutions – the former likely for dealers – with announcements to be made next year.

    Kia Australia is also looking into a guaranteed future value program to give buyers of such a new and expensive vehicle added peace of mind around residuals when it comes time to trade-in.

    Safety

    The EV9 is being crash tested by Euro NCAP imminently, but at launch there’s no ANCAP or Euro NCAP safety rating.

    Kia Australia’s team is firmly aiming for a five-star safety rating though, and the EV9 is equipped with one of the most comprehensive suites of safety features and technology in the brand’s portfolio.

    Standard safety features include:

    • 9 airbags
      • Dual front
      • Dual front-side
      • Dual rear-side
      • Dual curtains (incl. full 3rd row)
      • Front-centre airbag
    • Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
      • Pedestrian, Cyclist detection
      • Junction Crossing Assist
      • Lane Oncoming Assist
      • Lane Change Side Assist
    • Blind-spot monitoring, assist
    • Highway Drive Assist 2.0 (HDA 2.0)
      • Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
      • Lane centring
    • Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
    • Lane Follow Assist (centring)
    • Lane keep assist
    • Parking sensors front, rear
    • Power child lock
    • Rear cross-traffic alert, assist
    • Reversing camera
    • Tyre mobility kit

    EV9 Earth adds:

    • Blind Spot View Monitor
    • Parking Collision Avoidance – Reverse
    • Surround cameras

    EV9 GT-Line adds:

    • Parking Collision Avoidance – Forward, Side
    • Remote Smart Park Assist 2.0

    Standard Equipment

    EV9 Air highlights:

    Exterior

    • Standard Range battery (76.1kWh)
    • 19-inch alloy wheels
    • LED headlights
    • LED daytime running lights
    • LED tail lights
    • Roof rails, silver
    • Acoustic windscreen
    • Acoustic window glass
    • Aero wipers
    • Auto-flush door handkles
    • Power folding mirrors

    Interior

    • Column-type shifter
    • Push-button start
    • Regen Control paddle shifters
    • Leatherette seats
    • Leatherette steering wheel
    • 2-way power lumbar (front seats)
    • Remote folding 2nd row seats
    • LED interior lighting
    • V2L interior outlet
    • LED ‘Frunk’ light

    Convenience

    • Integrated Panoramic Display
      • 12.3-inch driver cluster
      • 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment
      • 5.0-inch climate control panel
    • Satellite navigation
    • Kia Connect incl. OTA updates
    • 8-speaker sound system
    • Fingerprint authentication
    • Wireless smartphone charger
    • USB-C chargers (in all 3 rows)
    • Rain sensor (auto wipers)
    • Electrochromatic rear-view mirror
    • Heated, ventilated front seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Smart tailgate
    • Remote engine start

    EV9 Earth adds:

    Exterior

    • Long Range battery (99.8kWh)
    • Gloss Black wheel mouldings, side sills

    Interior

    • Ambient mood lighting
    • Steering wheel logo illumination
    • Leatherette upholstery inc. striped stitching

    EV9 GT-Line adds:

    Exterior

    • 21-inch alloy wheels
    • Projector LED headlights
    • Intelligent front-lighting System (IFS)
      • Adaptive high-beam
    • Rear privacy glass
    • Digital Side Mirrors
    • Dual sunroof

    Interior

    • Artificial suede headliner, black
    • Two-tone GT-Line leatherette upholstery

    Convenience

    • AR head-up display
    • 14-speaker Meridian sound system
    • Digital Centre Mirror
    • Heated, ventilated outer rear seats
    • Premium Relaxation Seats, front
    • V2L exterior outlet

    Colours

    Standard: $NCO

    • Flare Red

    Premium Paint: $990

    • Iceberg Green
    • Pebble Grey
    • Snow White Pearl
    • Aurora Black Pearl
    • Panthera Metal

    Matte Paint: $3495*

    • Ocean Blue Matte (GT-Line only)

    *Includes ceramic paint protection

    MORE: Everything Kia EV9

    James Wong

    James Wong is the Production Editor at CarExpert based in Melbourne, Australia. With experience on both media and manufacturer sides of the industry, James has a specialty for product knowledge which stems from a life-long obsession with cars. James is a Monash University journalism graduate, an avid tennis player, and the proud charity ambassador for Drive Against Depression – an organisation that supports mental wellness through the freedom of driving and the love of cars. He's also the proud father of Freddy, a 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI .

    Buy and Lease
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers