Key Points
- Kia EV9 priced from $97,000 before on-road costs
- Up to 512km of driving range and 240kW DC rapid charging
- New tech: Highway Driver Assist 2.0, upgraded infotainment and connectivity offering
The Kia EV9 is making waves as the latest entrant in the electric SUV market in Australia. Importantly, it is one of a handful of true large electric SUVs with 7 seats, others include the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Tesla Model X. While the popular Tesla Model Y offers a 7-seat option in other markets, it is not currently available in Australia.
The EV9 is Kia's most expensive car sold in Australia to date, but for good reason. In addition to bringing a unique combination of luxury, space, and performance - it will feature a range of technology improvements not seen in previous Kia models.
The Kia EV9 debuts Kia's Highway Driving Assist 2.0 (HDA 2.0), a Level 2 autonomous driving system that combines adaptive cruise control with stop/go, Lane Following Assist, and a Lane Change Assist function. Australia's strict regulations, however, mean Australian EV9's will miss out on Kia's Level 3 autonomous driving system, which allows for hands-free driving in certain roads.
Prices for the EV9 line-up in Australia stretches from $97,000 to $121,000 before on-roads, with the Earth AWD providing up to 512km of claimed WLTP range – featuring curved dual 12.3-inch displays, level 2 autonomous driving, and an Australian driving tune as standard. For a full breakdown of features for each model refer to the price, models and features section.
The range-topping Kia EV9 GT-Line features dual electric motors producing 283kW of power and 700Nm of torque, and can sprint from 0-100km/h in a spritely 5.3 seconds.
The large electric SUV can charge quickly at up to 10.5kW AC and 240kW DC speeds using an 800-volt class charging architecture, with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability on all models.
The Kia electric SUV directly rivals the related Mercedes-Benz EQB and the popular Tesla Model X.
The Kia EV9 range will miss out on the majority of state government incentives (it will be eligible for stamp duty exemption in the ACT and Tasmania). It will not be eligible for the EV FBT exemption due to being over the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold of $89,332 for 2023/24.
Kia EV9 Key Specs: Range, Charging and Performance
The Kia EV9 comes in two battery sizes and drivetrain configurations.
All variants comes equipped with three-phase AC charging capable of 10.5kW and with 800-volt class charging architecture providing maximum DC charging speed of 240kW.
RWD Air
- Features the smallest battery capable of up to 443km of WLTP range.
- Rear motor drive train that hits the 0 to 100 km/hr mark in 8.2 seconds.
- Capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 20 minutes
AWD Earth
- Gains an additional front motor, creating a combined 283kW of power and 600Nm of torque. Hits the 0 to 100 km/hr mark in 6.0 seconds.
- The larger battery results in this Kia EV9 variant having the highest range to 503km.
- Capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 24 minutes
AWD GT-Line
- Features the same battery and drivetrain as the AWD earth but is tuned to achieve the 0 to 100 km/hr mark in quick 5.3 seconds.
- The range reduces slightly to 497km due to 21-inch wheels in the GT-Line trim.
▶ MORE: Electric Car Home Charging Guide
▶ MORE: Best EV Charging Networks in Australia
View the full specs
Kia EV9 Size and Dimensions
The Kia EV9 is the largest currently available electric SUV.
The Kia EV9 measures 5,010mm in length, 1,980mm in width and 1,755mm in height with a wheelbase of 3,100mm. Compared to its rivals, it is 326mm longer than a Mercedes-Benz EQB.
The Kia EV9 is similar in size to popular large petrol SUVs such as the Land Rover Range Rover (5052 mm), Toyota LandCruiser (4995 mm), and BMW X5 (4935 mm) but has a longer wheel base (and more interior space) due to being built on a dedicated EV platform
Thanks to the E-GMP bespoke EV architecture, the EV9 packs huge booth of 571L with 3rd row seats up and 333L with three seats down.
Kerb weight sits at a hefty 2,501kg with the base model RWD Air, all the way up to around 2,664kg for the AWD GT-Line model.
Kia EV9 Price, Models and Features
The Kia EV9 Australian line-up is separated by three model grades – Air, GT-Line and GT.
- The RWD drivetrain is available in Air only; and
- The AWD drivetrain is available in Earth or GT-Line trims.
Features standard across all model grades include:
- Wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
- Panoramic wide display that combines dual 12.3-inch cluster and infotainment displays via a 5.0-inch segment display
- Over-the-Air update capability via Kia Connect system
- Highway Driving Assist 2 system
EV9 Air RWD price: $97,000 before on-road costs
The Kia EV9 RWD Air starts from $97,000 before on-road costs.
EV9 Air RWD features:
- 19-inch alloy wheels with Kumho/Nexen tyres
- Projection LED headlights with high beam assist, daytime running lights
- LED Taillights
- Auto-Flush Door Handles
- Power Folding Mirrors
- Flush exterior door handles
- Aero blade wipers
- Power Folding Mirrors
- Push-button start
- Vegan leather seats (powered in front)
- 2nd Row Tilting type Walk-in Device
- Remote Folding 2nd Row Seat Release
- V2L
- Twin 12.3-inch interior screens with 5.0-inch climate panel
- Eight-speaker sound system
- Wireless charging
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Smart-powered tailgate
- Kia Connect and OTA
- Fingerprint authentication
- Nine airbags
- AEB w/ Junction Crossing, Lane Oncoming, Lane Change Side
- Highway Drive Assist 2.0
- TyrePressure Monitoring System
- LKA with Lane Follow Assist
- Multi Collision Braking
- Front & Rear Parking Sensors
- Smart Cruise Control with S&G
- Rear View Camera
EV9 Earth AWD price: $106,500 before on-road costs
The Kia EV9 Earth AWD starts from $106,500 before on-road costs. For an additional $9,500 you get more range, more power and additional driver-assist features such as blind spot monitoring.
EV9 Earth AWD adds:
- Gloss Black Finish Wheel Mouldings & Side Sills
- Ambient Mood Lighting with Steering Wheel Logo Illumination
- Artificial Leather Seats
- Surround View Monitor
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- PCA –Reverse
EV9 GT-Line AWD price: $121,000 before on-road costs
The Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD starts from $121,000 before on-road costs. For an additional $14,500 you get larger wheels, digital side mirrors, matrix LEDs and smart park assist features.
EV9 GT-Line AWD adds:
- 21” Alloy Wheels with Continental tyres
- Small Cube Projection LED Headlights with LED DRLs
- Bridge Type Roof Racks, Black
- Privacy Glass (Rear Doors & Tailgate)
- Digital Side Mirrors
- Dual Tilt & Slide Sunroof
- Remote Smart Park Assist
- Exterior V2L
Kia EV9 Warranty and Servicing
The Kia electric car is backed by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and a seven-year/150,000km battery warranty.
There’s also up to eight years of roadside assistance coverage when serviced with Kia’s nationwide dealers and capped-priced servicing is available for the first seven maintenance visits.
Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.
Owners can also buy three-, five- and seven-year prepaid service plans for $706, $1351 and $1997 respectively – but all aren’t cheaper than regular ‘pay as you go’ servicing.
Kia EV9 Comparison
Kia EV line-up Comparison
Kia RWD Air Comparison
Kia AWD Earth and GT-Line Comparison
About the author
Danny Thai
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data. He is the founder of zecar and is currently the EV Innovation Manager at Endeavour Energy.
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