Kia EV9 Concept Unveiled: 5 Things You Should Know

Kia is chugging along on fulfilling its promise to offer 11 electric vehicles globally by 2026. First, the all-electric EV6 made its debut, and now a new Concept EV9 SUV has been revealed at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show. Built on the dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform shared between Kia and Hyundai, the EV9 is larger in size than the EV6 and is related to the Hyundai Seven Concept, also unveiled in LA.

Related: More 2021 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Following Kia’s new “Opposites United” design language, which was also used for the EV6, the EV9 blends the natural world with the digital world using sustainable materials and high-tech features inside and out. Here are five key facts about the new concept EV.

1.   It Has Secret Features

Some of the EV9’s most interesting elements aren’t immediately visible. The SUV takes Kia’s classic Tiger Face front end and brings it into the digital age with an integrated “star cloud” lighting pattern that’s hidden behind the body panel when not in use. A hood vent duct that doubles as a solar panel can recoup some of the vehicle’s lost charge, and retractable roof rails fold into the roof of the SUV to optimize aerodynamics when not in use.

2.   The Interior Is Filled With Ocean Waste

Kia’s approach to sustainability for the EV9 goes beyond its zero-emissions powertrain. For the vehicle’s interior, the automaker utilizes sustainable and recycled materials that are mostly derived from debris commonly found in oceans — recycled fishing nets make up the flooring, plastic bottle and wool fibers are transformed into the vehicle’s seating fabric and vegan leather is used in place of animal leather.

3.   More Spacious Than the Telluride

The EV9’s dimensions point to it having a similar exterior size as the Kia Telluride, the brand’s largest SUV. The Telluride measures 196.9 inches in length while the EV9 is 194 inches long. The EV9 packs three rows of seats but comes with a considerably longer wheelbase than the three-row Telluride (122 inches versus 114.2 inches), which may indicate that the EV9 will offer more space for passengers and gear.

4.   It Transforms Into a Lounge

The EV9 offers three modes for its cabin depending on how the vehicle is being used. Active mode uses a standard seating configuration when the vehicle is in motion, while Pause and Enjoy modes provide a lounge experience when the vehicle is parked. Pause mode rotates the front seats to face the third row while the second-row seats fold into a table. Enjoy mode pivots the third-row seats to face the liftgate, which opens to provide an open-air lounging experience. A large panoramic roof helps connect passengers to nature in all three modes.

5.   The Expected Range Matches the EV6

The Concept EV9 has a range of up to 300 miles and, like its smaller EV6 sibling, it offers fast charging. A 350-kilowatt  DC fast charger takes the vehicle from 10% to 80% charge in 20-30 minutes, according to Kia’s estimates. The EV9’s expected range is in the same ballpark as the EV6, but the fast charge time to bring the vehicle up to 80% from 10% is slightly faster (under 18 minutes) for the EV6, according to Kia.

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