Kia Corporation last month introduced its first three-row electric SUV, the Kia EV9, in South Korea, which is expected to arrive in the country in September.

The executives claim that the company’s goal is to continue as a provider of sustainable mobility solutions while providing new standards in space, comfort and technology.

EL UNIVERSO took part in the Worldwide test drive which the company held in Seoul from June 20 to 22.

One of the novelties that this vehicle has is the all-electric autonomy of more than 541 km that it offers on a single charge. It’s designed for long car journeys without worrying about charging points. However, when you have to its ultra-fast charging capacity does this in 15 minutes, giving a driving range of up to 239 km and a battery charge from 10% to 80% in less than 25 minutes.

This is possible thanks to the EV9’s Integrated Charge Control Unit (ICCU), which includes the Vehicle to Charge (V2L) function, which allows energy to be discharged from the vehicle’s battery. In the EV9, users can use up to 3.68 kW of energy to charge devices and even laptops.

Kia has officially unveiled its EV9 model, its first three-row electric SUV. Photo: COURTESY

The EV9 has three rows of seats, a length of 5,010 mm, a height of up to 1,755 mm, a width of 1,980 mm and a wheelbase of 3,100 mm. There are two versions, one with seven and one with six seats. It offers four seating options including 3 seater sofas, basic type, relax type and independent 2 seater swivel seats. In one of these versions The second row seats rotate 180 degrees to allow for conversations with third row occupants. Charging stations and cup holders are available for all passengers.

What does the EV9 have to offer?

Thanks to technology pilot on the highway (HDP) provides the EV9 with optimal levels of control and safety, it has 15 sensors, including sensors that provide a full 360-degree field of view to detect and respond to potential collisions.

In addition, the latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are designed for optimum comfort and the EV9’s HDP supports conditional autonomous driving.

The EV9 has that too He Smart parking aid 2 allowing it to park on its own without any intervention from the driverinside or outside the vehicle, the driver initiates the procedure via the Kia Smart Key, also known as Digital key 2.

Interior view of Kia’s EV9, the first three-seater electric SUV.

What was it like driving the EV9?

A vehicle that will give the driver and its occupants a feeling of space in the future, and that offers the facilities to make driving an experience that combines safety and innovation, that is the EV9.

Thanks to the many sensors, the driver feels assisted at all times, although the usual caution should not be neglected. The EV9 warns you in real time when a vehicle passes you, to prevent you from passing at inappropriate times.

The system helps to stay within the lane and if you forget to turn on the signal to switch to another, you immediately get a vibration in the steering wheel. When the speed exceeds 130 km/h, a warning is again given to the driver.

The experience of sitting in the EV9 also becomes much more enjoyable thanks to the Head-up display cwhat counts. It is a head-up display that helps the driver stay informed while keeping their attention on the road. Without taking your eyes off the front, you can know the speed at which you are driving and the GPS whether you are following it to get to a destination, among other things.

And when it comes to entertainment, the car features two 12.3-inch touchscreens integrated with a 5-inch segment display, enhancing the digital experience. All this innovation provides effortless control of the vehicle and minimizes physical buttons, plus a multi-speaker surround sound system in different areas of the vehicle.

The EV9 has three rows of seats, a length of 5,010 mm, a height of up to 1,755 mm and a width of 1,980 mm. Photo: COURTESY

With the EV9, Kia aims to be a leader in sustainable mobility

The Korean company has a strategic commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable mobility and achieving zero carbon emissions by 2045. His project goes beyond the delivery of zero-emission electric vehicle systems and also includes the use of ecological materials in the production of vehicles such as the EV9 to set new standards.

It is the first model to adopt the brand’s three-step sustainable design strategy, initiated in 2000, which involves phasing out the use of leather, applying ten sustainable “must-haves” to all new models, and continuing to use materials made from corn is increased. , sugar cane and natural oils.

EV9 model, from KIA.

In turn, Kia’s goal is to increase the share of recycled plastic to 20% by 2030.

The EV9’s color palette is inspired by the four fundamental elements of nature: light, air, earth and water, and inside there are a total of six different combinations, from modern light gray to elegant natural tones. In addition, Kia is preparing for the presentation of the GT version, which would be sportier and is expected to be on the market in 2025.