Can Kia’s Newly-Confirmed EV9 Match the Success of the Telluride?
Kia announced a production version of the EV9 is coming to the U.S.—but can it match the success of the Telluride?
Written by Andrew Kidd
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Kia
executives finally released some new specs on what could be one of the most anticipated electric vehicles to hit the market, the Kia EV9The EV9 is set to go on sale in the second half of 2023 and will be a three-row crossover similar in size to the award-winning Kia Telluride. Kia execs noted that the production version of the EV9 will look 80-90% like its concept, featuring hard lines and edges. It will also feature at least 300 miles of range, which Kia execs said was the minimum sweet spot for a larger electric vehicle.
The Kia EV9 will borrow some features of the EV6
The Kia EV9 will be based on a variation of the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) platform, which Kia also uses for its EV6.
This platform enables 800-volt architecture which lets the vehicle take advantage of the growing number of fast-charging systems currently being developed. It also will have bi-directional charging capabilities, meaning EV9 owners could possibly lend a few miles of range to a stranded fellow EV driver.
The interior won’t look so much like the concept, which deleted its B-pillar, but Kia designers told reporters in 2021 that future electric vehicles might feature a B-pillarless design.
The EV9 is also going to start at roughly $50,000 MSRP according to
Motor Authority
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Can the EV9 match the success of Kia’s Telluride?
The EV9 follows in the footsteps of the
Kia Telluride
, which has been one of Kia’s best-selling vehicles in the U.S. With its similar size, the EV9 is sure to appeal to current Telluride customers who want to switch to an electrified alternative to its combustion-powered sibling.But time will tell if it enjoys the same success as the Telluride.
MORE: The 2021 Kia Telluride Has 1 Huge Advantage Over the Honda Pilot
An electrified future for Kia
Kia originally teased the EV9 concept in November of 2021 as an indicator of what’s to come from the Korean automaker.
“The Kia Concept EV9 is yet another important marker for us in what has been an incredible journey since the start of the year,” said Karim Habib, senior vice president and head of Kia Global Design Center, in a press release.
The automaker intends to completely electrify its vehicle lineup by 2035 in Europe, with global electrification in key markets by 2040.
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