Although the design of the concept will be lost in some cases, it will not change much for the production three-row electric SUV.
The edgy EV9 Concept SUV was unveiled by Kia at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November. The automaker announced in March that a production version would be available for purchase in 2023. However, it didn’t mention the US market. According to Motor Authority, that’s also confirmed for 2023.
According to the report, the production EV9 should be capable of achieving 300 miles with 80 to 90% of the concept’s styling surviving to production. Steven Center, Chief Operating Officer of Kia America, is also quoted as hinting at the SUV’s cost. He stated that it would be more expensive than the Telluride and in a similar fashion to the difference between the Sportageand Ev6. This would make the EV9 cost close to $50,000, before any destination fees.
Motor1.com reached out to Kia America for clarification and additional information. However, no response was received before publication. If we have more information, we will update you.
With its sharp lines and clamshell doors, the EV9 concept certainly caught attention at Los Angeles Auto Show. Although it is unlikely that those doors will be produced, the larger SUV will still stand out among Kia’s lineup. The E-GMP platform, used by Hyundai Motor Group for the Kia EV6 and other models, will be the vehicle’s platform. Our colleagues have reported that the EV9’s early performance metrics include a 0-60 sprint time in five seconds, and fast-charging capability that can recharge up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes. At this point, horsepower is unknown.
The EV9 is part of a global electric blitz by Kia, which will see 14 more battery-electric vehicles available for worldwide markets by 2027. The automaker plans to launch two new EVs per year starting in 2023.