Finally it’s here Kia’s biggest and tech packed car to date, the EV9 has launched in Ireland. For its size, it offers a very good range of up to 563 kilometres with 800V ultra-fast charging that can top up by 249 kms of range in around 15 minutes. Starting price in Ireland are €77,500 for the 7-Seater Earth Model and €85,500 for the 6&7 seater AWD 384PS GT-line version.
The above will be offered with rear and dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrains. The entry level model for the Irish market is the 7-seater ‘Earth’ model which includes 19” alloys, Triple Panoramic Display, Heated Front and Second Row Seats, Ventilated Driver and Passenger Seats, Head Up Display, 360 degree Surround View Monitor and Premium Meridian Sound system. Standard safety equipment includes Blind-spot Collision Avoidance with Blind Spot View Monitors, LED headlamps with wide projections and high beam assist and Highway Driving Assist 3.
Optional extras include GT-line styling, 21” alloy wheels, Dual Sunroofs, Intelligent Adaptive Front Headlights and the updated version of Lia’s easy to use Remote Smart Parking Assist. In the 6-seater version the second-row passenger seats can be swivelled around to face the two rear seats which sounds good for picnics and general days out with groups of people.
The Kia EV9 is available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, both using a 99.8kW battery with the most up to date battery technology from Kia. The rear-wheel drive Earth model has a 150kW motor with 350 Nm max torque. The estimated range is 563 km and it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 9.4 seconds. The all-wheel drive GT-line is powered by twin 141kW electric motors with 350 Nm front & 350 Nm rear torque. It has a top speed of 200kmh and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds with an estimated WLTP all-electric driving range of up to 505km.
The AWD 384PS GT-line stars from €85,500 and comes with 6 or 7 seat configuration, it includes GT-line styling, Dual Sunroofs, Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, Intelligent Adaptive headlights, 21” alloy wheels. The 6-seater version adds extra comfort for the second-row passengers.
Connectivity and charging solutions are offered in the centre console with fast wireless phone charger and USB port as well as further USB ports dotted around the cabin for passengers. For added comfort there’s ambient lighting from inside the front rear armrests which adds to the experience especially on dark winter evenings. The EV9 for Europe now comes with Kia’s new climate control panel where passengers can individually set their preferred climate without needing to access the infotainment sub-menus. There’s even more passenger tech with Kia’s Connect Live Services. This has online navigation as well as real-time traffic updates, parking locations and pricing for fuel stations and EV charging points, weather forecasts, parking availability and costs (where supported), online POI search, and, in markets where available, speed camera information. Highway Driving Pilot is level 3 autonomous driving, and will be gradually rolled out throughout Europe where local regulations allow its use. You will also be able to use a smartphone to start, or turn off the car, control the emergency alarm, open or close the trunk and lock or unlock the doors.
The base line model is 1,980mm wide and 1,750mm tall (not including the roof rack), with a 3,100mm wheelbase. Besides being spacious and roomy for passengers, the Kia EV9 also comes with additional storage space in the form of a frunk. The rear-wheel drive variation has a maximum frunk volume of 90 litres, while the all-wheel drive version offers 52 litres of storage space. The rear trunk offers 828 litres of storage space when 4/5 seats are upright and up to 333 litres when 6/7 seats are facing upright.
