The Kia EV lineup is on the verge of expansion. This Korean brand intends to utilize all EV names from EV1 through EV9 to develop various electric SUVs.
We currently have the Kia Niro EV and EV6 in the United States, with the EV9 heading to production at the Kia production plant in Georgia. By the end of 2027, Kia intends to offer at least one electric SUV in every segment across various markets. Not all models will be part of the American landscape, but that’s expected. Let’s look at some of these EV expansion plans.
We won’t see the EV1 in the United States
The smallest of the electric SUVs coming from Kia will be the EV1. This tiny model should rival the Volkswagen ID.2, which we’ll never see. Tiny SUVs are more at home on the narrow streets of the old continent of Europe or the congested areas of Asia. This tiny electric SUV won’t have a home in America, but that won’t be problematic for most Americans. The next all-electric model expected in the US after the EV9 is the EV5 which will appear at the beginning of 2024 after launching in China before the end of this year.
Kia won’t shy away from cars
The expansion of electric vehicles and SUVs for most automakers has created a shortage of small cars and sedans. Kia is committed to bringing hatchbacks and sedans to the roads of every market in the future. Instead of deleting cars, Kia will trim its lineup but continue to offer a car in every class to fit the needs of many drivers. Currently, the only Kia to lose its spot in the lineup is the sporty Stinger which has been replaced by the EV6. This could occur more as the Kia EV lineup expands.
What is the upcoming Kia EV9?
You knew it wouldn’t be long before a three-row electric SUV came from the Kia brand. The new Kia EV9 is that SUV, bringing us an electric SUV that’s about the same size as the current Telluride. The EV9 will share a platform with the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7, much like the EV6 and Ioniq 5 also share platforms. The new EV9 will be offered with both RWD and AWD systems, with the AWD version utilizing a dual-motor layout. This new electric SUV enters production at the Kia plant in Georgia.
How much power and driving range should we expect?
The AWD and Long Range RWD versions of the new Kia EV9 will utilize a 99.8-kWh battery that provides this electric SUV with 300 miles of driving range with the single motor layout. The AWD dual-motor model brings 379 horsepower to the drive to be one of the most powerful Kia electric SUVs offered.
The standard RWD EV9 is powered by a 76.1-kWh battery, but the driving range hasn’t been shared yet. The expansion of the Kia EV lineup to the new EV9 also brings 5,000 pounds of towing capacity to match the gas-powered Telluride. This should put the EV9 on the list of many families looking for a three-row electric SUV.
Will there be a GT model of the EV9?
A performance-oriented version of the new Kia EV9 should arrive in 2025 wearing the GT name. Much like the current EV6 GT, this model should offer as much as 576 horsepower for a high-powered and fast drive. Could this quick and powerful three-row EV actually capture the attention of drivers and become a hit? If history is any indication, these high-powered SUVs have grown in popularity and are some of the most sought-after for some serious driving fun.
This new Kia should be comfortable
The new EV9 is expected to come with either six or seven seats, depending on whether the second row has captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Because this is an electric SUV built on a dedicated platform, the interior space is much greater than most gas-powered SUVs. Every row of seats should be comfortable, spacious, and easy to use. Additionally, there should be a spacious cargo area in the rear to give drivers plenty of room for the stuff they need to take with them.
The second-row seats in the new EV9 are supposed to be the new Swivel ‘n Go seats that Chrysler launched back in 2008 in a minivan. If these seats make it to the EV9, the second-row passengers can swivel and face the third-row occupants. This could be a game-changer for the Kia EV lineup.
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