2023 Kia EV9: New electric SUV teased ahead of its arrival to take on Tesla Model X, Hyundai Ioniq 7, Toyota Kluger Hybrid and others

Kia is only weeks away from launching the all-new EV6 in Australia, but it’s already getting its next electric vehicle ready. The South Korean car maker has released teaser images of its EV9 large SUV, which is due to be unveiled officially at the Los Angeles Motor Show next week (November 17).

The EV9 will be the sister-model to Hyundai’s already confirmed Ioniq 7, which was also teased last week ahead of an LA show unveiling. The pair are racing to become the first mainstream brand to offer a full-size electric SUV in Australia, with only the likes of the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and upcoming BMW iX offering similar sized EV models.

The design of the EV9 appears to share little in common with the EV6, despite sharing the same Hyundai-Kia Group ‘e-GMP’ platform. Whereas the EV6 is a sleek and aerodynamic mid-size SUV, the EV9 appears set to sport a bolder, boxier look.

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Or as Kia puts it, the EV9 is “an intriguing glimpse into the future direction of the all-electric SUV, combining progressive design, state-of-the-art tech, and an advanced all-electric powertrain in one pioneering package.”

The images released by Kia show exaggerated wheel arches, a large frontal area and a straight-edge roofline.

Inside, Kia has teased the cabin will be a relatively simple affair, with a single large screen running almost the entire width of the dashboard. There’s also a rectangular steering wheel (although noticeably no yoke-style steering device preferred by Tesla) with a single spoke design. 

Officially Kia calls the new wheel a “radical new take on the traditional steering wheel” but the single spoke gives off an 1980s vibe, despite the modern intention of Kia’s designers.

As for what’s underneath the body, Kia isn’t giving anything away beyond it utilising a stretched version of the ‘e-GMP’ platform from the EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Given its larger size, you could reasonably expect a larger, more powerful battery than is currently found in the Ioniq 5, a 72.6kWh unit.

It’s also likely that the EV9 will get the same choice of single or dual-motors, to create rear- and all-wheel drive variants, but it’s all speculation at this stage. You can expect more details next week so stay tuned.

Exact timing for the EV9’s arrival is also unclear. Hyundai has locked in the Ioniq 6 sedan for 2022 with the Ioniq 7 waiting until 2024, but with Kia seemingly having no plans for its own EV sedan it’s possible the EV9 could arrive in 2023 to spread out the launches.