since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
THE age of EVs (electric vehicles) is very much upon us and the Korean carmakers are making sure that they are right on the ball. Kia, for one, already has a multiple award winner in its EV9 SUV (sport utility vehicle) and its accolades include being selected as the 2024 World Car and World EV of the Year.
This Kia flagship EV SUV is now available in Malaysia through Dinamikiaya Motors Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Kia. Two seating options are brought in, these being the six-seater and seven-seater with prices (on the road without insurance) at RM374,668 and RM369,668 respectively. During its debut in South Korea slightly more than a year ago, the Kia EV9 also won the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024.
Kia says the EV9 is its first dedicated three-row flagship SUV that is built on Kia’s Electric Globular Modular Platform (E-GMP) and brings ‘fresh thinking, design and technology’ to spearhead its rapid transformation to a sustainable electric mobility solution provider.
The EV9’s rather square cut body profile is said to be inspired by Kia’s ‘Opposite United’ design philosophy that the carmaker says re-envisions the EV9 with a ‘unique balance of natural and modern elements’. Viewed from the side, the angular profile is meant to present a simple but distinctive outline that Kia says is ‘deeply rooted in the Bold for Nature’ design pillar.
The front expresses its boldness in the signature ‘Digital Tiger Face’ that is fully complemented by the ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’ and vertical headlamps for a futuristic aura. Two clusters of small cube lamps adjacent to each headlamp add on to the EV9’s unique and ‘visionary’ appearance.
This dynamic identity is extended to the rear with the ‘Star Map’ LED (light emitting diode) daytime running lights (DRL) tail lamps. This styling feature is said to create a ‘sophisticated animated lighting pattern’ that gives the EV9 an instant recognisable look.
Dimensionally, the EV9 is a large SUV that is a match for the Kia Carnival. It sits on a 3100mm wheelbase and measures 5010mm in overall length, 1980mm in overall width and stands 1755mm tall.
Like modern premium EVs, the interior is the one that impresses with its flash and dash, and the EV9 is no exception. The floating panoramic dashboard extends from the steering wheel to the dashboard centre and is equipped with two 12.3-inch touchscreens integrated with a five-inch segment display. A Head-Up Display (HUD) is standard.
Ambient mood lights at the front and rear armrests as well as the top of the map pocket, fast wireless smartphone charger and UBS-C charging ports as well as a ‘powerful’ 14-speaker Meridian surround audio system are standard fare.
The generous interior space of the EV9 is totally expected given its long wheelbase, low beltline and flat electric vehicle architecture. Kia says the EV9 also embodies an ‘elegantly simple, premium quality’ and user-friendly design using recycled materials.
The EV9 is the second Kia model based on the E-GMP platform but the first to feature fourth-generation battery technology designed for improved energy density. Its powertrain sees a high-voltage battery pack of 99.8kWh that is paired with dual electric motors, one each for the front and rear axle. The AWD (All-Wheel Drive) EV9 could travel up to 505km on a single charge with electric power rated at 700Nm and 380hp. Its top speed is 200km/h.
Kia says the flexibility of its Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) charging system enables the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that discharges energy from the vehicle battery. This function supplies up to 3.6kWh of power and could operate lifestyle electronic accessories.
In safety, the EV9 comes equipped with standard and advanced safety features. The former includes 10 airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Rear Occupant Alert and Safe Exit Assist. The last item automatically provides a warning and locks the door if an approaching vehicle from the rear is detected within the blind spot area.
The Advanced safety features include a host of Advanced Driver Assisted System (ADAS) items to avoid or mitigate possible collision scenarios and lane keeping discipline. This also includes the Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Following Assist (LFA2) and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).
The EV9 is independently sprung all round with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link system at the rear. The tyres fitted on the 21-inch alloy wheels are of 285/45 R21 size. As expected, there is no spare wheel and a repair kit is provided instead.
Specification here
Price list here
