First Look: 2024 Kia EV9

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How refreshing it is to see one of the most forward-looking upcoming new vehicles revert—in some ways, at least—to classic SUV styling. Call it Back to the Future, if you will.

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On the futuristic side of the 2024 Kia EV9, Kia’s upcoming all-electric three-row SUV: there’s no grille, only a seamless and vaguely tiger nose-shaped panel, and the interior load floor is perfectly flat thanks to Hyundai Motor Group’s EV-dedicated E-GMP platform. But an exceptionally low beltline that bucks current SUV design trends, and a conscious steer away from high-gloss black plastic, provide throwback elements that are encouraging to see come back into fashion.

We received very little in the way of technical detail during our visit to Seoul, South Korea, to view the EV9 for the first time. In fact, the only meaningful data we can share in that regard is extrapolated from what we know about Hyundai’s Ioniq 7 three-row electric SUV, which shares the E-GMP platform with the EV9: that SUV is aiming for a range of more than 480 kilometres and a 350-kW charging rate that would allow it to go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in roughly 20 minutes. Given the EV9’s many shared underpinnings with the Ioniq 7, we can expect its figures to be similar.

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Instead, design was the focus during our time with the EV9. Kia determines a new vehicle’s design direction by holding competitions between its design studios around the world. For the EV9, the North American design studio in California won the exterior design competition while the successful interior design concept came from the studio in Namyang, South Korea. This makes the EV9 a genuine meld of North American and Korean sensibilities.

For the most part, this three-row crossover bears a traditional SUV silhouette that gives away little about its electric underpinnings. Its walk-up appearance is substantial with high-set, triangular fenders offset against a visually low centre of gravity, the first hint of its electric drive character since the battery mounted underneath the interior floor is likely to give it a planted drive feel. The EV9’s tall look is further accentuated by angular vertical-set headlights and taillights, and wheels with highly geometric designs. The only other exterior visual cue that gives away the EV9’s lack of internal combustion engine is the restyled and seamless tiger nose front end, which is now only vaguely tiger nose-like and in no way resembles a grille. Otherwise, the EV9 would look modern and sophisticated among any line-up of similarly proportioned mid-size SUVs.

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The EV9’s low belt line is one of the most encouraging elements of its design, which runs counter to trends of recent years. This allows for taller windows and opens up the greenhouse substantially, offering plenty of visibility and natural light in combination with the pair of sunroofs seen in the prototype. Blacked-out A-pillars are on trend, though, a visual cue shared with other recently redesigned large trucks and SUVs. Combined with the sharply angled rear windows, the EV9’s roof and the body don’t fully visually connect anywhere on the exterior.

A small frunk can be found underneath the hood, but most of the additional space afforded by the EV9’s all-electric platform has been allocated to the cabin. The centre console in the prototype we viewed is fully disconnected from the dashboard and has a storage space underneath it for use by front-row occupants. Below Kia’s now-signature pair of screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, backlit capacitive touch points on a simulated wood panel take the place of physical buttons. This is in an effort to reduce what Kia’s design team calls “islands” of buttons found throughout a traditional automotive cabin.

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“We wanted to create … something that feels less automotive (and) more influenced by homes,” Jochen Paesen, head of Kia’s interior design group, told Driving.ca. “When the lights are switched off, you actually don’t see the functionality very well. When it’s switched on, it comes alive and (it becomes) high tech, but at the same time, not dominant.”

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Happily, the prototype we examined has hard buttons on the door panels for controlling the heated and ventilated seat functions, which are nice to have readily available and easily accessible.

Paesen says Kia will no longer offer leather in newly designed vehicles going forward. Instead, the interior finishes in the EV9 prototype are layered with fabric, plastics, and simulated leather. Kia has identified 10 sustainably sourced finishes such as bio-PVC and fabrics made from recycled materials that the brand calls its 10 must-haves, and Paesen says those are what we can expect to see incorporated into new vehicles from now on. The EV9 is the first Kia vehicle to include all 10 of these materials into its design. There will also not be a black-on-black interior colourway offered on the EV9, according to Paesen, nor will there be any high-gloss black plastic. Layers of lighter colour will be the default, and more expressive colour options than the grey we viewed are on the horizon.

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The second row in the prototype is laid out with conventional captain’s chairs, which have access to a large storage space and two cupholders on the back of the centre console. In the third row, the prototype is set up with two seating positions, suggesting that six- or seven-seat configurations will be on offer in the final product. While the EV9’s flat interior floor allows for some distance between feet and seat cushions, third-row passengers will need to negotiate their legroom with those in the second row as space is tight when the captain’s chairs are pushed all the way back. Each third-row position has its own cupholder and USB-C charging port in the EV9 we examined, as well as dedicated overhead lights, ceiling-mounted vents, and tilting seatbacks. The low beltline, panoramic sunroof, and light headliner fabric all contribute to a space that feels open and airy.

Expect to see the Kia EV9 to go on sale in North America toward the end of 2023 as a 2024 model. There’s much more information still to come as we get closer to launch.