VIDEO: Kia Concept EV9 revealed

Driving its plans to become a global leader in sustainable mobility, Kia has revealed the Concept EV9, an all-electric SUV with a sleek design, redefined interiors, and phenomenal technology.  

More than just a show car, the Concept EV9 fuses together thought-provoking aesthetics, transformational interiors (like a 27-inch display), and a zero-emissions powertrain.

Kia Concept EV9: Exterior inspired by nature

Concept EV9 represents a sustainable, eco-friendly, and mindful future for the SUV. Created on Kia’s advanced Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) – the Concept EV9 is a high-tech, flex lifestyle vehicle, powered by a zero-emissions, all-electric powertrain.

It blends a stunning exterior profile with a visionary interior space that is further accentuated with state-of-the-art tech. The incredible aesthetics of the Concept EV9 – both inside and out – have been carefully honed from Opposites United, Kia’s abstract design philosophy.

Taking inspiration from the ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar of Opposites United, Concept EV9 embodies an adventurous, outgoing, and recreational form with its rugged and upright stance. From the outside, such proportions help outline a three-row SUV footprint, signifying a vehicle that is highly capable, practical, and ready for action.

These proportions – along with dimensions of 4,930mm length, 2,055mm width, 1,790mm height and a wheelbase of 3,100mm – give the Concept EV9 an aesthetically rare but visually appealing quadrilateral-style on-road presence.

A low gravity side body creates maximum and instant impact with the sharp crystalline inspired fender volumes that sit high up on the vehicle. This low side body profiling effect makes the fender volumes of the Concept EV9 pop out, resulting in a strong silhouette.

Kia Concept EV9: Iconic values

Kia’s iconic Tiger Face has been reinterpreted for the sustainable mobility era and is showcased on the Concept EV9.

The new Digital Tiger Face benefits from all-electric vehicles not needing the traditional grille that internal combustion engine vehicles rely upon, resulting in the Concept EV9 having a full body coloured front that clearly conveys sustainability values.

The new grille houses an intricate star cloud pattern display that is completely hidden behind the body panel of the Concept EV9 when not in use. This stylish astral-inspired form further highlights the high-tech nature of the all-electric SUV while still paying homage to the natural world.

Sequential patterns create a ‘welcome light’ for the driver and function to appropriately position lights during driving. The star map pattern inspired the Kia design team to create standout vertical Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) for both the front and rear of the car, in-turn creating a unique signature look from start to finish.

The opportunities presented with a re-styled grille and Digital Tiger Face have resulted in a new air vent design that reduces frontal mass and greatly improves aerodynamics.

The hood vent duct area is utilised as a solar panel, helping to regain some of the electric energy that the Concept EV9 uses. This gives BEV owners an alternative source of energy when they are not close to a charging station.

A next-gen camera monitoring system that replaces the conventional wing mirrors further improves aerodynamic properties while enhancing the spatial awareness of the driver.

Kia Concept EV9: Reimagined interiors

Against a wellbeing, wellness and mindfulness backdrop, the Concept EV9 has been carefully crafted to offer the driver and passengers a transformative interior space as the journey experience evolves.

Mirroring the exterior design, the interior of the Concept EV9 has also been greatly influenced by the ‘Bold for Nature’ design pillar of Opposites United.

Inside the all-electric SUV is a design undertaking that integrates the qualities of nature as part of a scenic, first-class lounge. An interactive (and whopping) 27-inch ultra-wide display connects the Concept EV9 from the real-world to the virtual one, while serving as the nerve centre for all driver and passenger requirements, including media, climate control and comfort functionality features.

The sense of ‘tomorrow’ extends from the visionary cabin design flowing into the steering wheel, which has been reinterpreted as a pop-up steering pad that is an extension of – and integrated and harmonised within – the interior space.

Kia Concept EV9: Driving modes

Active Mode is when the Concept EV9 is on the move, making sure the driver and passengers have an optimal driving experience from within the all-electric SUV.

The two other modes relate to when the Concept EV9 is not moving.

Pause Mode modifies the interior space to be more akin to a first-class lounge, giving occupants the opportunity to directly interact with each other while benefiting from the light streaming in from the wide panoramic roof.

In this mode, the seats switch around to enable occupants seated in the first row and third-row to face each other. The second-row seats fold down and become a table, completing the first-class lounge arrangement.

The second stationary mode is Enjoy Mode, which opens the interior into a downtime breakout space by turning around the three-row seat configuration.

In this mode, the tailgate opens, giving all occupants the opportunity to connect with the outside environment and gaze ahead and beyond the vehicle while sitting comfortably inside the all-electric SUV.

A production version of Concept EV9 is now confirmed for Europe in 2023 and will build on the success that the acclaimed EV6 crossover has achieved since its launch last year.