Kia has been on a roll for a while now, but it doesn’t seem that it is going to stop anytime soon. Kia has unveiled an exciting latest electric vehicle, the EV9. The latest entry of EV9 in the growing and evolving all-electric market will alter the way we think about electric vehicles. KIA EV9 is a direct response to the Rivian R1S, pushing the boundaries of what EVs are capable of. Rivian R1S, one of the latest electric SUVs, became a popular player in the EV market owing to its impressive off-road abilities, high-tech features, and rugged design.
To give a formidable challenge to Rivian R1S, Kia came up with EV9 with a stylish design, highly advanced features, and an impressive range. It is undoubtedly going to turn heads everywhere it goes. However, both vehicles have unique features and offer different benefits, so it is difficult for consumers to choose between them. This article will help you understand how KIA has tried to get one up on Rivian.
Kia EV9 Overview
Exterior design and dimensions:
KIA EV9, as teased by KIA through some pictures, has technical-looking tail lamps and headlamps. The images revealed by the company show geometric shapes on body panels with aero wheels. Previously introduced electric SUVs ignored the actual SUVs traits to highlight the aero efficiency, but EV9 will be revealing the real face of an electric SUV.
Some of the features of its exterior design include:
- High-set hood
- Partly flat
- Robust beltline,
- Slightly hunched rear section
- Concave body panel
- Bold and vertically stacked headlamps
- Large glass panels and flush door handles
- Sharp kick in the beltline
The dimensions are 194 inches in length, 81 inches in width, and 70 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 122 inches.
Interior design and comfort:
The interior design of KIA EV9 supports eco-friendliness, and most of the interior design is made from natural wood yarn, plant-based extracts, and recycled plastic. Other significant elements in the interior design include the decent side bolsters on the front seats, sharp cuts on door panels, and grey upholstery.
- Another thing revealed in the interior design is the presence of a 27-inch display. It comes with an ultra-wide display as compared to EV6.
- The steering wheel is of luxury type with dual tone, and two spoke design like k900 but more angular and classier.
- This electric SUV is more spacious than the previous versions. There is a space of seven passengers. So, it is a three-row SUV, and the third row is more spacious.
Performance and range specifications:
KIA EV9 is set to use the E-GMP architectural platform as EV6. However, we expect Kia EV9 to come with a more powerful electric motor setup than its smaller sibling, EV6. As per the automaker, all wheel drive will be standard and it can reach 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5 seconds or less. According to the South Korean Test Cycle, EV9 has a range of 336 miles.
Charging capabilities and options
The maximum supported DC charging power for KIA EV9 is 350KW. It takes about 20-30 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%. It is supposed to support an 800-volt system for faster charging speeds.
Comparison to Rivian R1S:
| Parameters | KIA EV9 | Rivian R1S |
| Price | $50,000 to $75,000 | $78,000 to $92,000 |
| Range | 300 miles | 260 miles |
| Weight | Unknown yet | 7,068 lb |
| Torque | Unknown yet | 908 ft-lbs |
| Wheels | 22 inches (exact figures are unknown yet) | 20″, 21″, 22″ |
| Recharge time (Level 3) | 20 to 30 minutes | 42 minutes |
| Horsepower | 576 | 835 |
| Seating | 7 | 7 |
From price to charging ability and from range to speed, EV9 has all better features than the previous version of KIA, i.e., EV6 and Rivian’s R1S. The electric SUV KIA EV9 will be released in 2023, but its concept model has been released. EV9 comes with all the best features, including the freedom to charge EV9 in just 20 to 30 minutes, while R1S takes about 42 minutes. It can reach 0-60mph in a few seconds. Consumers will like the EV9 model more than previous EV models and R1S by Rivian. So, a great competitor of Rivian R1S is coming to the market soon.
Price and Availability:
The price range of KIA EV9 is $50,000 to $75,000, while the price range of Rivian R1S is $78,000 to $92,000. EV9 is much cheaper than R1S and comes with the latest and more rejuvenating features.
The R1S electric vehicle was made available for purchase in 2022, while the EV9 has only unveiled its concept through pictures thus far. Despite this, it is anticipated that the EV9 will outperform the R1S once it is finally released to the public, though the exact date of its commercialization has not yet been disclosed, experts are expecting a release in the spring of 2023. It remains to be seen how the EV9 will fare upon its introduction to the market, but it is expected to be a formidable competitor.
Customer support and maintenance :
KIA always offers its best in regard to customer support and maintenance. Similarly, Rivian also provides its best services for the maintenance of vehicles. Rivian has developed particular service stations for the routine service and maintenance of R1S. However, KIA has also created its services, particularly for the maintenance of electric vehicles. For EV9 maintenance and customer support, KIA will continue its services with additional support.
Will IONIQ 7 be a potential nemesis of EV9?
IONIQ 7 is an upcoming electric vehicle by Hyundai. If we compare IONIQ 7 with EV9, the base model EV9 will have a bit more power than the IONIQ 7, with 576 horsepower compared to the IONIQ 7’s 308 horsepower. As for performance, both vehicles are similar in terms of acceleration, reaching 60 mph from rest in just about five seconds.
It is expected that both the EV9 and IONIQ 7 will be loaded with 100kWh battery as standard, which should give them a range similar to other large electric SUVs on the market. Both vehicles will also be able to fast-charge at speeds up to 350 kW.
Both the EV9 and the IONIQ 7 have a seven-seat configuration in their interiors. However, the IONIQ 7 really stands out when it comes to the quality of its cabin. It uses a variety of unique materials such as mineral plaster, bamboo wood, and carpet, along with bio-resin and hygienically treated fabric, giving it a luxurious feel. The EV9 also incorporates some unique materials like recycled plastic bottles and wool fibers, but to a lesser extent.
The Kia EV9 is scheduled to be released in Q1 of 2023. and Hyundai IONIQ 7 will come out shortly after in early 2023. As far as price goes, the Kia EV9 is expected to have a starting MSRP of $50,000, while the Hyundai IONIQ 7 will have a starting MSRP of $55,000. This means that the IONIQ 7 is slightly more expensive than the EV9. Experts suggest that the EV9 may be the better overall value for your money.
KIA EV6 vs. EV9: Is EV9 Worth the wait?
The EV6 is a stylish crossover with 19-inch wheels. It has two rows of seats and two 12.3-inch monitors on the dashboard. The EV9, on the other hand, is a bigger SUV with 22-inch wheels and three rows of seating. It also has a single 27-inch touchscreen that serves as the infotainment system as well as the driver’s instrument cluster. EV9 also has a slight edge over EV6 in terms of range. Overall, an aesthetic design, a complete SUV feel, and a futuristic approach are what sets the EV9 apart from its predecessor.
Final Words:
EV9 will be released in 2023, but KIA has teased the outlook through pictures and info releases. It has got the customers excited about its release, and pre-bookings have been made. Hyundai is also planning to unveil its latest electric vehicle IONIQ 7, which seems to be a competitor of EV9. The features of the IONIQ 7 might give tough competition to the EV9, and both these vehicles are going to revolutionize the way people look at electric SUVs!
