Inside, the EV9's cabin is more pared-back and minimalist than you might expect, and I'm a big fan of the haptic controls embedded into the dash panel, and of the more old-school air-con switches that sit below it. The office chair-style front seats are super comfy, and I'm enamoured with the twin-screen set-up (two 12.3-inch screens joined by a climate control screen in the middle) which create a wall of tech in front of the driver.

The Kia EV9 is a true seven-seat vehicle, and its middle row is especially spacious, helped by a rail system that allows you to slide it forwards or backwards, depending on where you need the space. Things get a little tighter once you move to the third row, where leg room disappears and it feels a little tighter for full-grown adults. That said, it might be the easiest third row I've ever climbed into, with the second row not just tilting forward, but lifting up and towards the front, creating a space you can walk through.

The entry-level Air's standard features list includes a single rear-motor, along with 19-inch alloy wheels projection headlights with LED DRLs and LED tail-lights, flush-closing door handles and vehicle to load functionality.

Inside, there are synthetic leather seats that are powered, heated and ventilated up front, twin 12.3-inch interior screens with a 5.0-inch climate panel in the middle, an eight-speaker stereo, wireless device charging and a powered tailgate. You also get 'Kia Connect' and over the air updates.

Next, the Earth adds better seats, gloss black exterior detailing, ambient interior mood lighting, a light-up logo in the steering wheel, and some extra safety kit. Crucially, you also get a twin-motor powertrain that makes more power, and a bigger battery.

Finally, the GT-Line builds on the Earth’s inclusions with 21-inch alloys, LED headlights, roof racks, privacy glass, digital side mirrors, a dual tilt-and-slide sunroof and remote park assist.

The Kia EV9 rear-wheel-drive model records a sprint to 100km/h of 8.2 seconds and a 190km/h top speed.

Because the AWD GT-Line is equipped with an "Acceleration Boost" function, it's faster to 100km/h than the AWD Earth – 5.3 seconds versus 6.0 seconds.

The Kia EV9 rear-wheel-drive model gets a single rear-mounted motor good for 160kW and 350Nm. The AWD models add a second motor at the front axle, and the outputs jump to 283kW and 700Nm.

There are two battery sizes on offer. The RWD models (for now, just the Air) get a 76.1kWh lithium-ion battery which delivers a WLTP driving range of 443km.

The AWD Earth and GT-Line get a bigger 99.8kWh battery, upping the driving range to 512km and 505km, respectively.

All models are equipped with 800V architecture, which the brand says – when plugged into an ultra-fast charger – will help the EV9 go from 10 to 80 percent charged in just 20 minutes.