Kia to take pre-orders for electric SUV EV9

Kia Corp. announced on Wednesday that it will begin taking pre-orders for the "Kia EV9." The EV9 is Kia's second dedicated electric vehicle based on the electric-only E-GMP platform, and is also the first three-row large electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) in the domestic market.

It features a majestic exterior and a new experience in its interior. The front end, which applies the "Digital Tiger Face" design, emphasizes a futuristic feel through various lighting that harmonizes with the clear body lines.

The interior was designed to maximize the advantages of E-GMP, such as a flat floor and long wheelbase. The wide space is complemented by a concise and refined design, creating a sense of openness and spaciousness.

The EV9 achieved the longest range of 501 km on a single charge among Kia's electric vehicle lineup, thanks to its large-capacity 99.8-kWh battery, 3D under cover, aerodynamic wheels, and front bumper air curtains.

It also boasts a maximum output of 283 kW (384 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 700 Nm based on the GT-line standard, allowing it to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 5.3 seconds.

The EV9 also incorporates new technologies based on software-defined vehicles, such as highway driving pilot (HDP), Kia Connect Store and wireless over-the-air software updates. In addition, safety is prioritized with a total of 15 sensors, including two LiDARs and precision maps.

Pre-orders will be available for the base model (Air and Earth trims) and the GT-line. The base model offers a choice between 2WD and 4WD drivetrains. The Air trim comes with essential safety and infotainment features such as a 12.3-inch cluster, 5-inch air conditioner, a panoramic wide display that smoothly integrates the 12.3-inch infotainment system display, Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2), and 10 airbags.

The Earth trim features first-row relaxation comfort seats, a driver's ergo-motion seat, a steering wheel emblem light, dual-color ambient light and a 12-inch head-up display screen.

The GT-line incorporates dedicated design elements for the exterior and interior such as bumpers and seats. Features such as highway partial self-driving, digital center mirror and digital side mirror are optional.

The price of the EV9 is 76.71 million won ($57,270) for the Air 2WD and 87.81 million won ($65,550) for the GT-line in South Korea. After completing the certification process for eco-friendly vehicles, customers can purchase the Air 2WD for 73.37 million won ($54,740) and the GT-line for 83.79 million won ($62,520) with applicable tax benefits.

"Since its online global debut in March and the actual vehicle unveiling at the Seoul Mobility Show, the EV9, the first large electric SUV in Korea, has received a lot of attention from many customers," a Kia official said. "We plan to launch the model in sequence, starting from when it receives certification from major government agencies in Korea."

Write to Il-Gue Kim at black0419@hankyung.com