Kia said the big EV offers “premium accommodations rivaling ultra-luxury SUVs,” with a dual-display cockpit that includes multiple camera feeds for tech-hungry buyers. The EV9 will come in six-seat and seven-seat configurations.
Like the gasoline-powered three-row Telluride that launched in 2019 to critical acclaim and booming sales, the EV9 offers utility vehicle features such as significant towing capability with luxury touches such as swiveling captain’s chairs with heating and ventilation, Kia said. The EV9 has similar dimensions to the Telluride, including nearly 8 inches of ground clearance.
The EV9 is scheduled to launch in the U.S. in the fourth quarter with imported vehicles from South Korea. “It is expected to be assembled in West Point, Ga. beginning in 2024, making it the first Kia EV to be assembled locally,” the automaker said.
One advantage of local assembly is that the EV9 could be eligible for the federal EV tax incentive of up to $7,500.
Under last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, only vehicles made in North America that also meet battery sourcing requirements are eligible for the incentive. There is also a price cap of $80,000 for crossovers. Kia did not announce EV9 pricing.
“We continue to study all of the components of the IRA as it related to the federal tax credit and are looking forward to production of the EV9 at our plant in West Point,” a Kia spokesperson told Automotive News.
