At this point, there will be few surprises left once the Kia EV9 has been revealed.
Following shots earlier this week of the electric SUV’s exterior completely undisguised, a video has appeared online depicting its mostly uncovered interior.
Shared on Instagram by user paul.in.love.2020, it also gives us a look at what appears to be bright blue roof racks, as well as wheels with an unusual triangle theme that echoes those of the 2021 Concept EV9.
The interior is a bit more conventional than the Concept EV9 which, in classic concept fashion, had an extremely futuristic minimalist cabin.
Inside the production vehicle, the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster appear to be in the same housing, and there’s a minimalist centre stack with little in the way of physical switchgear.
There’s also an unusual trim piece that descends from the top of the centre stack, helping to block it off from the front passenger.
The EV9’s reveal is expected to take place in March or April, ahead of the its arrival in Australia late in 2023.
Although some details have been toned down (the 22-inch wheels and suicide doors), spy photos show the silhouette and light design of the production car look fairly true to the concept.
The Concept EV9 measured in at 4930mm long, 2055mm wide, and 1790mm tall with a 3100mm wheelbase.
For reference, that’s 50mm shorter, 80mm wider, and 40mm taller than the large Hyundai Palisade crossover. The Concept EV9 also has a 200mm longer wheelbase than the Palisade, for maximum interior room
Around 400 units are allocated for Australia, Kia Australia COO Damien Meredith confirmed earlier this year.
The EV9 is the second Kia built on the e-GMP dedicated electric vehicle (EV) architecture, which underpins the EV6, as well as the related Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Genesis GV60.
Hyundai will bring out its own version of the EV9 based on the Seven concept revealed last year.
Pricing and power outputs haven’t been confirmed, but a market research survey sent to Kia owners and seen by Car & Driver suggests the EV9 will be offered with single- and dual-motor powertrains.
Five variants were detailed in the survey, with the base single-motor model offering 149kW of power and 339Nm of torque and a claimed 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of 8.5 seconds.
While the battery size wasn’t specified, this base grade has a claimed range of 354km but no towing capacity. It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.
It’s unclear what test cycle these range figures are based off, but they could be estimated US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures, and the EPA cycle is known to be quite strict.
The survey lists a price of around US$56,000 (A$79,650), which makes it more expensive than even the top-spec Telluride SX Prestige X-Pro (US$52,985/A$75,362). For reference, the lone Sorento PHEV sold in the US – the SX Prestige – is priced at US$49,990 (A$71,102).
Another single-motor variant is priced at US$61,000 (A$86,762), bumping range up to 467km and offering 907kg of towing capacity, albeit with a slower 0-60mph time of 8.9 seconds.
The other three variants listed feature dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains. The most affordable, priced at US$63,000 (A$89,606), has 298kW and 515Nm, good for a 0-60mph time of 6.0 seconds.
Range is reduced to 418km but towing capacity is increased to 1588kg. It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.
A US$68,000 (A$79,650) version with 20-inch wheels cuts range to 386km.
Finally, the flagship version, priced at US$73,000, also has 386km of range and 298kW but has extra torque (651Nm) and towing capacity (2041kg total)
It’s the quickest member of the proposed EV9 family, with a 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds. The survey also notes it rides on 21-inch black wheels with black exterior trim, plus an extra 10mm of ground clearance.
Kia in the US tends to give its highest-spec SUVs a more rugged look with black or dark grey exterior elements.
“Like other car companies, we are constantly evaluating the market and often conduct research on a regular basis to inform future product development,” a spokesperson for Kia told Car & Driver.
A spokesperson also told Electrek that final specifications are “very much in flux at this time as the launch is not until later this year”.
It remains to be seen how closely the EV9 hews to these proposed specifications.
