U.S.-Bound 2024 Kia EV9 Revealed: Is It an Electrified Telluride?

After making its global debut, the U.S. version of the 2024 Kia EV9 takes its first bow at the 2023 New York International Auto Show. Most of the components for the electric vehicle’s powertrain (including a standard- or long-range battery pack) match that of its international counterpart, but Kia has shed more light on the dimensions, technology and performance of the three-row SUV that’s making its way stateside.

Related: More 2023 New York Auto Show Coverage

An Electric Telluride Outside

According to Kia, the EV9’s exterior dimensions are comparable to the gas-only three-row Telluride SUV. The EV9 is about half an inch longer than the Telluride and has a similar height and width. The Telluride has an edge when it comes to maximum cargo space, however: According to Kia’s estimates (which differ from Cars.com independent cargo testing), the EV9’s maximum cargo space measures up to 81.9 cubic feet behind the first row and 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row. In contrast, the Telluride has 87 cubic feet behind the first row and 21 cubic feet behind the third row.

The EV9’s front end also bears a family resemblance to the Telluride with Kia’s “Tiger Face” faux grille, but the SUV also makes its battery-powered status known with sleeker lines, slimmer LED headlights, flush door handles and an available LED digital animation feature for the grille that can be customized with up to five light formations. The EV9 will offer wheel options from 19 to 21 inches, and the all-wheel-drive GT-Line trim will stand out with raised roof rails, trim-specific 21-inch alloy wheels and other exclusive styling elements.

Sustainable and Minimalistic Inside

According to Kia, the EV9’s cabin is designed to be minimalistic and comfortable for all occupants. Offering seating for six or seven, the SUV swaps leather seats for more sustainable materials and uses partially recycled materials in the headliner and elsewhere inside. Haptic controls for the SUV’s large horizontal touchscreen are hidden within the dashboard until the vehicle is turned on. Storage for smaller items is accommodated through a dual-level center console that stretches from the first to the second rows.

An available Relaxation Mode in the first two rows offers power-operated leg rests; the second-row heated and ventilated seats come with eight-way power adjustment, and USB-C outlets are offered in all three rows.

Powertrains and Road-Trip Capability

Shoppers will be able to choose from two electrified powertrains. The standard option is a 215-horsepower single motor paired with a 76.1-kilowatt-hour battery and RWD. A long-range 99.8-kWh battery will also be available with either the single-motor RWD setup or a 379-hp dual-motor AWD configuration for the GT-Line variant. Drivers will be able to select from four drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport and My Mode.

According to Kia’s estimates, the dual-motor GT-Line will have a 0-60 mph time of roughly five seconds. That’s comparable to the EV6’s GT-Line (we got 4.69 seconds in our own testing) but is significantly slower than the performance-oriented EV6 GT’s 3.4-second sprint.

For trips that require tackling unpaved roads or pulling a load, the EV9 offers 7.8 inches of ground clearance and a maximum 5,000-pound towing capacity. While the EV9’s ground clearance falls below the Telluride’s 8 to 8.4 inches (depending on the model), its towing capacity is comparable with the Telluride and more than double the two-row EV6’s limit of 2,300 pounds.

Targeted Range and Charging Time

Kia says it’s targeting a 300-mile range for single-motor RWD variants with the larger 99.8-kWh battery. The brand does not specify a targeted range for the standard battery or AWD models, however, and the EV9 has not yet received official EPA ratings. In comparison, the EV6 gets an EPA-rated maximum range of 310 miles for RWD models and 282 miles for AWD. The EV9 will offer Level 2 and DC fast charging with a maximum DC charging speed of up to 230 kilowatts. With high-speed DC fast charging, Kia estimates the EV9 will charge from 10%-80% in under 25 minutes. Like the EV6, the EV9 comes with an onboard power generator that enables vehicle-to-load capability.

Tech and Safety: A Series of Firsts

The EV9 employs a new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operating system, which Kia says is faster and features intuitive on-screen controls. The electric SUV will also be the first model for the brand to offer over-the-air updates, and it will feature navigation-based charging guidance with arrival time and distance-to-empty estimates.

While Kia makes no mention about the Level 3 self-driving tech that debuted in the global model (the technology is not yet legal in most states), the brand says the EV9 will bring enhanced driver-assist technology. The SUV will be the first Kia model in the U.S. to offer Advanced Highway Driving Assist, which uses lidar technology to enhance the vehicle’s adaptive cruise control and hands-on lane-centering features. The EV9 will also offer a more advanced forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system that better detects vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and slows the vehicle or applies the brakes when necessary. Additionally, Kia’s Drive Wise suite of driver-assist features will be available, along with a full-color head-up display and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

Pricing and Release Date

The EV9 is expected to arrive in late 2023. Starting in 2024, the vehicle will be built at Kia’s West Point, Ga., plant, making it the first Kia EV to be built in the U.S. Besides the GT-Line, Kia has not announced the EV9’s roster of trims or pricing details, but it says more information will be revealed closer to its arrival.

More From Cars.com:

• Kia Reveals First Images of All-Electric 2024 EV9 SUV
• Kia EV9 Concept Unveiled: 5 Things You Should Know
• 2023 Kia EV6 GT Review: Affordable All-Electric Performance
• Hyundai Seven Concept Revealed: 300-Plus-Mile Range, No Steering Wheel
• What’s New With Electric Vehicles for 2023?

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