Kia EV9 luxury electric SUV launched in India at Rs 1.30 crore

The Kia EV9 will rival the Mercedes-Benz EQE and the BMW iX. Both EQE and iX start at Rs 1.39 crore (ex-showroom).

In Short

• The Kia EV9 has an ARAI-certified range of 561km
• It can go from standstill to 100kmph in 5.3 seconds
• The battery can be charged from 10-80% in 24 minutes with a fast charger

Apart from the Carnival luxury MPV, Kia India also launched the EV9 luxury electric SUV today. Entering the country in a completely built-up (CBU) avatar, the Kia EV9 will take on the Mercedes-Benz EQE and the BMW iX.

For reference, the EV9 is Kia's most expensive vehicle and also the most sophisticated vehicle the carmaker has ever developed. It has been introduced in India in a single, fully loaded GT Line trim, priced at Rs 1.30 crore (ex-showroom). The EV9 is Kia's second electric car in India after the EV6.

The EV9 is based on electric-global modular platform (E-GMP). The same platform will underpin future Hyundai electric vehicles (EVs) in India. For the Indian market, Kia has opted for the EV9 all-wheel-drive (AWD) with a dual-motor arrangement, having a combined power output of 384PS and peak torque of 700Nm.

A 0-100kmph acceleration can be achieved in just 5.3 seconds. The electric SUV has a claimed range of 561km (ARAI) on a single full charge. With a 350kW DC fast charger, its battery can be juiced up from 10-80% in merely 24 minutes.

The EV9 measures 5,015mm in length, 1,980mm in width and 1,780mm in height with roof rails. It has a 3,100mm long wheelbase and 198mm ground clearance. The cabin has a 6-seater (2+2+2) configuration.

The exterior styling of the EV9 is based on the GT-Line version, having features like digital pattern lighting grille, 'Ice Cube' LED headlamps, 'Starmap' DRLs, automatic body coloured exterior flush door handles, 'Starmap' LED rear combination lamps, LED rear fog lamps, hidden rear wiper, glossy black ORVMs with heating and memory functions, and 20-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels.

The vehicle has five exterior colour options -- Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Pantera Metal, Ocean Blue and Pebble Grey.

The cabin of the EV9 has a dual-tone Brown and Black finish. It boasts features like an 18-way power driver seat with memory function, 12-way front passenger power seat, second-row captain seats with 8-way power adjust, second-row massage seats, Trinity panoramic display (12.3-inch instrument cluster, 6-inch HVAC controls and 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation), hidden haptic touchscreen buttons, Meridian premium sound system with 14 speakers, 64 dual-colour ambient mood lighting, digital IRVM, dual sunroof and next-gen Kia Connect with over 100 features. Like most of the luxury EVs, the EV9 also has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability. It comes with the next-gen Digital Key 2.0.

In terms of safety features, the EV9 gets 10 airbags, downhill brake control, multi-collision brake, brake assistant system, vehicle stability management, emergency stop signal, parking sensors (front, side and rear) and all-wheel disc brakes. There is Level 2 ADAS with more than 27 functionalities. The EV9 has scored a 5-star safety rating at ANCAP and Euro NCAP.