Kia EV9 gets Level 3 autonomous driving, hauling power, software updates

TOKYO -- The new Kia EV9 all-electric three-row crossover gets hauling power to match its rugged looks along with all the latest trappings of the new EV era, including Level 3 autonomous driving and lots of over-the-air software updates.

The features are meant to put the EV9 at the top of the Kia range and lift the image of what was once a bargain-basement brand.

"We consider the Kia EV9 to be the new flagship for our brand," Kia CEO Ho Sung Song said. "It also will play a key role in how the Kia brand is defined going forward."

In detailing technical specifications for the first time, Kia said the EV9 will come in all-wheel and rear-wheel drive variants in both standard and long-range models.

The long-range rear-wheel-drive version will achieve a range of 541 km (336 miles) under the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. Using the EV9's 800-volt charging system, the vehicles can top up to 239 km of range in 15 minutes, Kia said.

A 76.1-kWh battery is offered in the rear-wheel-drive standard model, while a 99.8-kWh battery is fitted in both the rear-wheel-drive long-range and all-wheel-drive variants.

The rear-wheel-drive long-range model has a 150-kilowatt electric motor that can acclerate the car from 0 to to 100 kph (62 mph) in 9.4 seconds. The standard rear-wheel-drive variant gets a more powerful 160-kilowatt motor that accelerates from 0 to to 100 kph in 8.2 seconds. The AWD variant has two electric motors for combined output of 283 kilowatts and goes from 0 to to 100 kph in 6.0 seconds. An optional boost feature lifts torque and cuts that acceleration time to 5.3 seconds.

Kia has given the EV9 extra range thanks to a slick 0.28 drag coefficient, an impressive feat of aerodynamics because of its boxy, squared-off and upright stance.  A number of features contribute to this, including a 3D underbody panel that has a convex shape in the front and a concave shape in the rear, as well as aerodynamically optimized wheel rims and innovative air intakes in the front bumper.

Song said his engineers are developing a high-performance GT version of the EV9 that will arrive in early 2025. That is on top of a GT-line model that debuts with this year's launch.

Kia did not announce pricing for the EV9, which comes in six- or seven-seat configurations.

Preorders begin in the home market of South Korea in the second quarter, and the EV9 will be rolled out in the second half to Europe, North America and other markets. It will make its North America debut at this month's New York auto show.

The powertrain has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds in the U.S., Kia said. That compares with a towing capacity of 7,700 to 10,000 pounds for the electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup. But the EV9 is a more of a weekend warrior than a workhorse.

Kia's promotional videos tout the EV9 as a rugged, go-anywhere vehicle equally suited to exploring the mountains or taking the family to Disneyland. The battery will also be capable of vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid connectivity.

Tapping the latest trend toward software-defined vehicles, Kia says a host of upgrades will be available from Kia's online app through over-the-air updates. The offerings, available for either one-time purchase or on a subscription basis, will include such features as Remote Smart Parking Assist 2.0, an acceleration boost function or new digital grille lighting patterns.

The smart parking system allows the owner to park the EV9 from outside the vehicle.

"Following the EV9's market introduction, even more advanced features will be available through [over-the-air] updates," Senior Product Manager Sang Lee said. "The Kia Connect Store allows you to browse innovative features for personalizing your vehicle even after initial vehicle purchase."

And when the EV9 is not parking itself, it could be driving itself down the highway.

GT-line versions of the EV9 will be equipped with a new Highway Driving Pilot system that enables Level 3 driving under certain conditions and in certain markets. The technology will allow hands-free driving while keeping the vehicle centered in its lane and distanced from cars ahead.

Kia did not provide details about what markets will get this feature.

The system relies on 15 sensors, including two lidar setups for a 360-degree view.

"Our engineers focused on how to intelligently combine captured images so that the vehicle can better detect potential hazards ahead long before the driver might be able to see them," Lee said. "[Highway Driving Pilot] can help make your daily commute or even more adventurous journeys more relaxing and give you added confidence."