Kia EV9, power and technology without limits to dominate the SUV segment

Text: Álex Soler

The Kia EV9 arrived in 2023 as the second new generation electric model after the EV6, and landed on the market with the mission of consolidating the South Korean firm’s commitment to electrification and consolidating itself, in the electric market, in the premium spectrum. of the market. With an imposing design, advanced technology and a spacious and sustainable interior, this seven-seat SUV redefines the concept of electric mobility in its category.

With all these arguments, Kia’s new seven-seater electric SUV has already convinced Rafa Nadal, who has been driving the AWD GT-Line version in Ocean Blue Matte since last October. The tennis player already had the EV6, the brand’s first new generation electric car, in his garage, but now he is taking another step in his adventure with the company.

The EV9 is based on Kia’s E-GMP platform, which includes an 800-volt architecture, with the Asian brand being one of the pioneers in making the leap to this technology. This system allows ultra-fast charging, recovering up to 240 kilometers of autonomy in just 15 minutes. In its Long Range configuration with a 99.8 kWh battery, rear-wheel drive and 19-inch wheels, it reaches a maximum range of 541 kilometers, a competitive figure for an SUV of its size.

Technology for everyday life

To the efforts to create a welcoming and spacious car despite its compact size, Kia has added a whole technological arsenal that stands out for a triple panoramic screen that combines two 12.3-inch touch screens, for infotainment and for the instrument panel. , and a 5.3-inch segmented one for the air conditioning. Among its innovations, the In-Car Payment system stands out, which allows you to pay for parking from the vehicle, and the incorporation of the ChatGPT artificial intelligence assistant, designed to optimize the driving experience.

Additionally, the SUV includes advanced connectivity with remote updates, on-demand features through the Kia Connect Store and a Digital Key 2.0 that allows multiple users to unlock and start the vehicle from their smartphone.

Kia EV9, power and technology without limits to dominate the SUV segment

It has plenty of power

The EV9 is offered in the Spanish market in its AWD GT-Line variant with two electric motors, one on each axle, for 385 HP of power and 600 Nm of maximum torque, capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just six seconds. With Boost mode, it offers a momentary increase in torque up to 700 Nm to reduce that figure to 5.3 seconds. different versions. The imposing GT version will arrive soon, which redefines the concept of a large sports SUV with an impressive power of 508 HP and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h of 4.6 seconds. In this case, the autonomy will reach 450 kilometers.

Regarding safety and assistance technology, it incorporates the autonomous highway driving system (HDP), which uses 15 sensors, including two lidar radars, to achieve level 3 autonomous driving. This system allows the vehicle to automate driving under certain conditions without active driver intervention, which represents a significant step towards a fully autonomous car.

Avant-garde design

The exterior design of the EV9 follows Kia’s “Opposites United” concept, combining robust shapes with modern lines. Its front stands out for the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille and LED daytime running lights that create animated patterns. With a length of 5.01 meters and a wheelbase of 3.10 meters, it offers a spacious interior. In addition, the retractable handles and other aerodynamic details contribute to improving its efficiency.

Kia EV9, power and technology without limits to dominate the SUV segment

Regarding the interior design, it is designed to maximize comfort. It can be configured with six or seven seats, offering “Relaxation” seats that recline completely when the car is parked. In the six-seater version, the second row seats include armrests, while those in the third row have bottle holders and cup holders. The materials used are sustainable, using bio-based components such as corn and sugar cane.

Technologically, the cabin stands out for its three screens: a 12.3-inch screen for the instrumentation, a 12.3-inch central screen for the multimedia system and an additional 5.3-inch screen that displays information related to the air conditioning. In that sense, the EV9 also integrates bidirectional charging capabilities, allowing you to power external devices or even a home through V2B and V2H functions and the ability to receive OTA (Over The Air) software updates, which allow you to improve the functionalities of the device. vehicle over time, extending its useful life and keeping it technologically up-to-date.

All in all, Kia aims with the EV9 at the premium segment, starting from a price, with financing offer, of 75,490 euros, a figure for which it offers a combination of space, performance, autonomy and technology that positions it as the reference for those looking for an electric SUV with great capacity and performance. This model confirms that the brand is not only ready to compete at the highest level in the era of electrification, but can position itself as the market reference.

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