2023 Kia EV9 Preview Preview, Pricing, Photos, Release Date

Model Preview

Kia’s electrification goals include offering 14 all-electric vehicles by 2027. One of those vehicles will be the 2023 Kia EV9, a large flagship SUV with three rows of seats. While the full vehicle hasn't been officially unveiled just yet, early concept images and EV9 photos showing the SUV undergoing testing point to an exciting new vehicle. In an unconfirmed report, we now have some specs for the upcoming model, though we are not sure if these are for the 2023 or 2024 model.

On the outside, we expect the 2023 EV9 to share a similar interior design as the Concept EV9 that Kia unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show before the end of 2021. The concept features a blocky exterior design with squared-off front and rear ends. S-shaped lights that start at the air intake and run halfway up the front fender are at the front, while the rear end has Y-shaped taillights that outline the rear window. Chunky fenders, pronounced body lines, suicide doors, and bold wheel designs are standout elements of the Concept EV9.

The Concept EV9 has a futuristic interior with a minimalistic design. We expect the 2023 EV9 to adopt an interior look that’s more in line with the EV6 that’s on sale today. Two large screens are expected to dominate the dashboard, while the center console is slightly angled toward the driver. We expect the center console to house a rotary dial for the shifter and push-button ignition. Recycled materials, three rows of seating, and exciting lighting should be available with the 2023 EV9.

Kia has not confirmed tech features for the upcoming 2023 EV9. The SUV is expected to arrive with a large touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. Smartphone compatibility, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a wireless charging pad should also be available.

Official information on the EV9’s powertrain isn’t available yet, but reports that have come out show some figures that are still unconfirmed by Kia. The large SUV will utilize Kia’s E-GMP platform as the smaller EV6 and is expected to be able to support 350-kW DC fast charging. Kia has stated that the SUV will have a range of roughly 300 miles. We expect the new EV9 to be available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

In a recent report from Car and Driver, unconfirmed engine specs show a powertrain that has many options across the five trim range. The base trim has a powertrain that produces 200 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque with RWD.

Stepping up one trim presumably brings a bigger battery pack, since figures shift to 290 miles of range from 220, and towing figures of up to 2,000 pounds are added. The next three trims show a powertrain that produces 400 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque with AWD. These trims have an increased towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, but a diminished range of just 240 miles.

The 2023 Kia EV9 will be available with all of the automaker’s high-tech safety features. We expect Highway Driving Assist II, a blind spot camera, remote smart parking assist, rear cross-traffic alert, cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warning to be available.