Kia Unveils Its Three-Row EV9 SUV: A First Look

Source: HT Auto South Korean automaker Kia Motors has unveiled its new electric SUV, the EV9, which will be available for sale in the latter half of 2023. The vehicle was designed with American tastes in mind, and Kia hopes it will be well-suited to the North American market. The EV9 is built on Kia and Hyundai's new electric vehicle platform, the E-GMP, which has already proven successful in smaller crossovers like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia's EV6. The EV9 will be the first larger vehicle to use the technology. Kia first showcased the EV9 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2021 as a concept car. The production version is an evolution of the concept, with toned-down design features. The EV9 is a large three-row SUV with a shorter length than the Kia Telluride but a much longer wheelbase. It has less scalloped doors than the concept car and features a sleeker body with a low center of gravity. The EV9 has very boxy, triangular fenders, which contrast with the low belt line and extensive glass on the vehicle's body. Source: ZigWheels The EV9's distinctive vertical daylight running lights, which evoke Kia's "tiger nose" grille, are one of the few design features that remain unchanged from the concept car. The production model has more conventional headlights, and the steering wheel is now completely normal compared to the rhomboid device in the concept car. The interior of the EV9 has a flat floor, and designers made use of negative space in the dashboard, doors, and console. The steering wheel, dashboard, and doors feature middle gray, matte, and gloss combinations, with no piano-black trim. Also Read: Apple Digital Car Key Now Compatible with Hyundai Karim Habib, head of Kia Global Design, explained that the EV9's design philosophy is based on the idea of movement and richness through contrast. He said that designers and brands need to work together to create new designs. Habib said the design is about the juxtaposition of man-made structures in nature and how that contrast can be beautiful, or even within nature itself. The EV9 is a perfect example of this philosophy, with its boxy fenders and sleek body. [caption id="attachment_116793" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Image: KIA[/caption] Kia is hoping to capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles in the United States. The EV9 is designed specifically for the American market, where large SUVs are popular. Kia is aiming to compete with other electric SUVs like the Tesla Model X, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Audi e-tron. The company is hoping that the EV9's advanced technology and sleek design will help it stand out in a crowded market. The EV9 is built on Kia and Hyundai's advanced new electric vehicle platform, which has been highly successful in smaller crossover models. The E-GMP platform has already impressed many experts and consumers with its performance, range, and charging capabilities. Kia is confident that the EV9 will continue this trend and offer a new level of performance and efficiency for a larger electric SUV. Also Read: Why is it's called 'Chrome' not something else? The Kia EV9 is a highly anticipated addition to the electric SUV market. It has been designed with American tastes in mind and features Kia and Hyundai's advanced new electric vehicle platform. The EV9 is a large three-row SUV with a unique design that contrasts boxy fenders with a sleek body. The vehicle's interior is spacious and features a modern, refined look with no piano-black trim. Kia is hoping that the EV9's advanced technology, sleek design, and spacious interior will help it stand out in a crowded market and compete with other electric SUVs. The EV9 will be available for sale in the latter half of 2023, and Kia is hoping for a successful launch in the United States.