Kia EV9 SUV now in dealerships for sale and demo drives

After a whistle-stop debut of the Kia EV9 show car at select dealerships in late August, Kia New Zealand says most of its 33 locations around the country now have the new electric seven-seat EV9 SUV available for sale and demonstration drives.

Three trim levels are offered – the Light Rear-Wheel Drive Standard Range, Earth All-Wheel Drive Long Range and GT-Line All-Wheel Drive Long Range.

Pricing for the new model starts at $105,990 for the Light RWD SR with a 76.1kWh lithium-Ion battery.

A larger 99.8kWh battery, complemented by enhanced levels of technology, specification and aesthetic differentiators, features in the Earth AWD LR and GT-Line AWD LR, available from $115,990 and $134,990 respectively.

All three models offer the ability to tow, starting with 900kg braked for the Light, which increases to 2.5-tonnes braked on the AWD dual motor Earth and GT-Line.

The new, fourth generation battery delivers improved energy density and efficiency, giving 443km (WLTP) range in Light, 492km in Earth and up to 505km in the GT-Line.

This new technology contributes to power and torque outputs of 160kW and 350Nm respectively in the rear-wheel drive EV9, and 282kW/700Nm in the all-wheel drive variants.

The GT-Line can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.3 seconds.

Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is available on the GT-Line, as well as the Light and Earth trims when using the optional accessory cable.

“It’s really exciting to have the new model on the road, it’s an incredible vehicle to drive and I know people are going to be amazed at the all-round power and performance on offer from this full-size, fully electric SUV,” says Kia New Zealand managing director Todd McDonald.

“The EV9 is the most technologically advanced Kia ever, it features eco-oriented materials and encompasses style, sophistication and seven-seats – all in a zero-emissions package.

“It is also one of the most aerodynamic vehicles of its size thanks to the tech focused polygonal design language which delivers a fuselage-like side profile, resulting in an exceptional 0.28 drag coefficient (Cd),” McDonald adds.

“The new Kia flagship EV9 arrives in New Zealand with an award-winning pedigree, fresh from success with a Golden Steering Wheel 2023 win in the ‘Family Cars’ category,” he says, explaining it was also named ‘German Luxury Car of the Year 2024’ at the beginning of September.

“It’s new, it’s dynamic and it’s boundary pushing from a looks, performance and technology standpoint.  It’s an exciting new addition to the Kia lineup and we’re thrilled it’s now available in New Zealand.”

The new Kia EV9 is a new design built on the advanced electric global modular platform (E-GMP), which provides a spacious and feature-laden interior – plus the opportunity to load the new model full of leading tech, a number of which are new Kia technologies for the New Zealand market, says Kia.

Among Kia firsts are a panoramic wide display that combines dual 12.3-inch cluster and infotainment displays via a 5.0-inch segment display, a column-type E-Shift-by-Wire drive selector and, on the GT-Line, digital side mirrors and a digital centre mirror.

Fingerprint recognition can be used to start the EV. 

The EV9 marks the New Zealand debut of highway driving assist 2 (HDA2) that functions when driving on a motorway and builds on adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, combining with lane following assist (LFA) to keep the EV9 centred in the lane.

Navigation-based smart cruise control (NSCC) is available on all models and helps drive at a safe speed.

It adds a direct hands-on detection (HOD) sensor to the torque-sensor recognition method to further enhance the recognition of the driver’s steering control, providing warnings and, if necessary, deactivation of HDA2.

Additionally, HDA2 includes lane change assist (LCA), which when activated while holding the steering wheel and engaging the turn signal in the desired direction, will automatically steer the EV9 into the respective lane.

Once on the road in the GT-Line, the EV9’s augmented reality, heads-up display projects key information, including speed, navigation guidance and lane safety information onto the windscreen.  The remote smart parking assist can park your EV9.

A suspension tune developed in an Australian programme spanning more than three years delivers a unique package for Kia EV9 buyers in Australia and New Zealand.

The EV9 has MacPherson Multi-link type front suspension with frequency selective dampers and multi-link rear suspension featuring self-levelling dampers, and benefits from a rack-mounted motor-driven power steering (R-MDPS) system.

Kia has committed to carbon neutrality by 2045 and has successfully implemented more than 30 sustainable solutions in various product areas.

The EV9 includes eucalyptus leaves for the headliners, while seats and interior fabric are made from a composite of recycled plastic bottles and wool fibres.

The driver and front passenger enjoy heated and ventilated seats with power adjustment and power lumbar support standard across the range, with the added luxury of front premium relaxation seats in the GT-Line.

An array of advanced driver assistance (ADAS) technologies is included.

The new Kia EV9 has a five-year roadside assistance programme, five-year/150,000km factory warranty, complemented by an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.

With all three rows of seats occupied, the EV9 provides 333 litres of cargo space, or 828 litres with the third row folded.  With both rear rows folded, the space extends to 2318 litres.

The Light’s front trunk compartment adds 90 litres of storage, while on the Earth and GT-Line it contributes another 52 litres.