Kia goes after BMW iX with upmarket electric flagship

Korean brand's second bespoke EV is its largest global car yet, as well as its most expensive and technologically advanced - and it reveals clues to future Kia models

- FELIX PAGE

The new EV9 is the second of Kia's fast-expanding family of bespoke electric cars, combining compelling performance specs with upmarket design and equipment to enter into direct competition with new SUVS from the likes of BMW and Mercedes.

Joining the segment-bending EV6 crossover in dealerships from late 2023, the EV9 heralds the beginning of a bold new design era for Kia as it progresses with its ambitious 'Plan S' strategy to launch another 13 bespoke EVs by 2027. Its role is especially important in this regard, according to Kia chief brand officer Artur Martins, who said the EV9 "will help us keep reshaping the image consumers have of our brand" - an initiative supported by wide-reaching dealer reform measures and expansion into new segments.

The EV will be the most expensive Kia model yet, as well as one of its largest - being roughly the same size as the US-market Telluride SUV and offering three rows of seats.

Full pricing details will come closer to its launch in the third quarter of 2023, but a top-end list price in the mid-£80,000s is feasible and entry-level variants are likely to be priced closer to the £60,000 mark.

Although the car has been fully revealed inside and out, Kia remains tight-lipped on performance and technical details, but given its targeted maximum range of 337 miles and the fact that it has around 200mm more space between its axles than the EV6 - the maximum battery capacity is expected to be in the region of 100kWh from launch. Because the EV9 shares its 800V-equipped E-GMP platform with the EV6 and its Hyundai Ioniq 5 sibling, it will be capable of rapid-charging at 350kW to give 62 miles of range in just six minutes and will come as standard with vehicle-to-load reverse charging functionality.