Teased: Kia to debut new electric 7-seater SUV this week

Several months on from the reveal of its first dedicated electric vehicle, the EV6, Kia has confirmed that its second dedicated EV is set to debut this week. Albeit in concept form. 

The Korean marque has published a pair of teaser images for its Concept EV9. This will also be based on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP and feature seven seats, pitting it directly against Hyundai’s upcoming Ioniq 7. 

The latter will also be revealed this month in concept form, with Hyundai naming the concept the SEVEN. While the Hyundai will be revealed on November 17 at the Los Angeles Motor Show, the Kia Concept EV9 will be revealed this Thursday, November 11. 

The teaser images outline the EV9’s boxy silhouette, which appears to draw on elements from both the current Sorento and the larger North American-market Telluride. Notably, it gets a set of widened rear hips and a glasshouse with a similar ‘Hofmeister kink’ rear as that of the EV6. 

Not much else is known about the Concept EV9 at this point, other than it’s likely to preview a production model coming in the not-too-distant future. 

It’s speculated that the model will get a hulking 100kWh battery carry-over from the Ioniq 7, the option of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and around 500km of range (depending on the variant). 

Read more: Comparison test: Kia Sorento HEV AWD Premium vs Toyota Highlander GXL Hybrid

Given that the EV9 is likely to make it to production, expect the concept to be somewhat production-ready in appearance. 

Given that Hyundai’s local arm has already announced that the Ioniq 7 in its production form is destined for New Zealand, we expect that its Kia equivalent will also head our way. 

This is bolstered by the fact that the EV6 has also been confirmed for our market, with a press release earlier this year stating the first examples will arrive before the end of 2021.