The 2024 Kia EV9 Prototypes Have Entered Their Final Testing Stages
Kia’s fully-electric, Telluride-sized crossover is almost here.
The seven-seat EV space has few options; the Tesla Model X is expensive, and the Tesla Model Y and Mercedes-Benz EQB’s third rows are pretty tiny. So, it was only a matter of time before some automaker created a seven-passenger EV with space for real adults. The Kia EV9 concept was well-received, and now we’ve got some on-the-road prototype images of the thing, as it nears its completion.
Currently, on testing in Seoul, the EV9 will be Kia’s flagship model. Kia claims it will “ revolutionize the large electric SUV segment while accelerating Kia’s brand transformation and affirming its leadership in sustainable electric mobility.” These shots of an SUV covered in swirly camouflage are of the EV9 in its final testing stages, as Kia puts the EV9 through its paces to determine durability and quality.
Developed in a mere 44 months, the EV9 is being put through a grueling buffet of tests. Kia is sending the EV9 up a large 4WD testing hill, a rough terrain track, and a deep-water wading test. Then, the EV9 is doing some high-speed testing, and low-friction testing, along with other “punishing testing regimen(s) in locations all over the globe,” said Kia. Underneath, it uses the same E-GMP platform that underpins the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6.
The full, unwrapped Kia EV9 won’t be shown until the first quarter of 2023. It’s unclear where the EV9 will be made, or how much it will cost, but we don’t expect too outrageous of a price from the mainstream Korean brand.
Discuss this article on our Kia EV9 Forum
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Kevin has been obsessed with cars ever since he could talk. He even learned to read partially by learning and reading the makes and models on the back of cars, only fueling his obsession. Today, he is an automotive journalist and member of the Automotive Press Association. He is well-versed in electrification, hybrid cars, and vehicle maintenance.
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Kia please make your carnival mini-van an electric version!