Kia EV9 launched at Rs 1.3 crore

Kia has launched the EV9 electric SUV in India at Rs 1.3 crore, albeit in just the fully loaded GT-Line trim. The EV9 is being brought in as a CBU and is now Kia’s flagship offering in the country, sitting above the EV6.

1. EV9 has a 6-seater layout, AWD and plenty of features
2. Combined, its two motors make 384hp, 700Nm
3. Also available on lease

Kia EV9 exterior, interior styling

The Kia EV9 gets vertically stacked LED headlamps with L-shaped DRLs and a closed-off grille with integrated digital-pattern lighting. It gets vertical LED tail-lamps with a rather clean tailgate, a spoiler and a dual-tone bumper with a skid plate. The SUV measures 5,015mm in length, 1,980mm in width, stands 1,780mm tall and has a wheelbase of 3,100mm.

Inside the cabin, the EV9 features a dual-screen display housing a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a similarly sized digital instrument cluster. It gets a four-spoke steering wheel with an illuminated logo, storage space under the centre console, along with physical controls placed right below the AC vents in the middle. Kia is offering the EV9 with a dual-tone Brown and Black interior colourway.

Kia EV9 features, safety

The EV9 gets a 6-seater layout as standard, with the second-row seats being captain's chairs. It gets features such as electric adjustment, massage function and adjustable leg support. Other features include three-zone climate control, dual-electric sunroofs, a head-up display, a digital inside rear-view mirror, vehicle-to-load functionality, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, a digital key, OTA updates, the latest version of Kia Connect connected-car tech, and much more.

On the safety front, the e-SUV is equipped with 10 airbags, ESC, hill descent control, vehicle stability management, parking sensors at the front, side and rear, all-wheel disc brakes and a 360-degree camera. It also gets Level 2 ADAS with features such as Forward Collision Warning and Avoidance Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, High Beam Assist, Lane Keep Assist, and more.

Kia EV9 powertrain, battery, range

The India-spec EV9 gets a 99.8kWh battery pack that powers dual electric motors for an all-wheel-drive configuration. Combined, the two electric motors produce 384hp and 700Nm, helping the SUV dash from 0-100kph in 5.3 seconds. It offers an ARAI-certified range of 561km. The battery can be juiced up from 10-80 percent in 24 minutes with a 350kW DC fast charger.

Although the EV9 has no direct rivals in India, it competes with luxury electric SUVs such as the Mercedes EQS SUV, EQE SUV, BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron.