Kia Singapore heralds new era in with stunning, boxy Kia EV9
13 Jan 2024|11,808 views
Kia has a new (electric) flagship ruling our shores - and it's not an exaggeration to say it's nothing like the machines put out by the brand previously.
Unveiled, and officially launched on the opening day of the 2024 Singapore Motor Show (11 Jan 2024), the Kia EV9 marks the largest and most powerful fully-electric model the Korean firm has brought to Singapore.
It's also the second model released here to be built atop of the E-GMP, a bespoke platform for electric cars, after the EV6. (The Kia Niro Electric shares its architecture with its partially combustion-powered twins.)
With its grand arrival, the EV9 stakes its place clearly as the flagship of Kia's local lineup
Prior to being discontinued, the Sorento Hybrid used to be the largest SUV to wear a Kia badge here - but the EV9 now takes it a notch higher (or bigger). At 5,015mm long and 1,780mm tall, it's both quite a fair bit longer and taller, clocking in more at the Kia Telluride's size (the model has never been sold in Singapore).
Still, what will likely strike one more immediately about the EV9 is its design.
Concept cars rarely follow through with their otherworldliness, as their cooler edges are smoothened out on the way to production. With its unusually thin head and taillights, and its aggressively boxy shape, the EV9 hasn't appeared to suffer that fate.
Thanks to its boxy shape, thin head and taillights, and Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, the EV9 looks like nothing on our roads today
Notably, given that this is an EV, Kia hasn't bothered with a gaping, fake grille. Instead, it's invested its efforts into differentiating the car's unmistakably sealed front end, bestowing its 'Digital Tiger Face' instead with what's called the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille. This standard feature sees animated, cube-shaped lights flanking the sides of the car's nose.
Still, the EV9 isn't a model that prides style over substance.
Three-row SUVs are all too common in the combustion-powered world, but remain a rarity among EVs. The EV9 now promises to be an alluring option to those looking to ferry more than five without the burden of tailpipe emissions. In fact, it does so as the first electric SUV in Singapore to feature captain's chairs in the second row - though this also means that it's a strict six-seater.
These aren't just rare captain's chairs (for an SUV) that you see on the EV9, but specially-designed ones that can swivel up 180 degrees
It seems buyers will get two options with the second row here. The first are what Kia is calling relaxation seats - offered by default - which can be reclined (simultaneously with those in the first row) while the vehicle is charging.
Extroverted personalities, on the other hand, can opt for the swivel seats, which can be rotated 180 degrees to face the third row. Kia says this "fosters interactive experiences between passengers", such as playing games or extended conversations without sore necks.
That is, of course, if everyone isn't too absorbed by their favourite tunes, emanating from the car's 14-speaker Meridian High-Performance Sound System.
The panoramic instrument cluster houses twin 12.3-inch screens for the driver's display (right) and infotainment system (centre)
Other standard interior features reinforce Kia's clear intent in recent times to inch into the premium segment. These include the panoramic instrument display on the dashboard, housing twin 12.3-inch screens for the driver's display and infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and a dual sunroof.
Eco-minded folks will also delight to note that the plush interior widely incorporates sustainably-sourced materials, which you'll find on the interior coverings, dashboard and pillars.
As the flagship of the Kia range today, the EV9 also boasts impressive performance. Dual motors are capable of sending 283kW (380bhp) and a whopping 700Nm of instant torque to all four wheels, sending the SUV to 100km/h from rest in six seconds flat.
Dual electric motors are capable of producing 380bhp and 700Nm of instant torque, while a 99.8kWh battery gives the car up to 512km of range - a very comfortable figure for driving in Singapore
Thankfully, with a sizeable 99.8kWh battery on board, the EV9 doesn’t trade performance for range, and can travel up to 512km (WLTP-rated) when fully charged. Furthermore, its sophisticated battery architecture supports rapid charging at up to 350kW, with which its battery will go from a 10 to 80% state of charge in just 18 minutes.
We'd never think to chuck a five-metre long SUV around a set of b-roads, but Kia says the EV9 will handle better than you think thanks to the battery's underfloor positioning. On the note of driving situations that are unlikely to come to mind in the EV9, the car is also equipped with a Terrain Mode for light offroading.
Back on the expressway and in the city, however, drivers shouldn’t have to fear the car’s hulking size too much. An incredible total of 20 standard driver-assist features are packed into the EV9, including a Safe Exit Warning and an Auto Evasive Steering Assist on top of the usual list (adaptive cruise control; blind spot monitoring; etc).
Kia says the digital side mirrors, which are mounted at the exterior on each front door, actually improve a driver's field of vision
As a first for the brand, the EV9 also ditches conventional side mirrors for digital ones instead, relying on exterior cameras mounted on each front door. Kia believes the driver's field of vision actually expands and becomes clearer with this tech, helping to improve their overall situational awareness.
If there's any downside to the magic that Kia has woven into the EV9, here's a caveat: This will unsurprisingly be the most expensive model released by the firm on our shores, easily surpassing the EV6. Prices start at $289,999 without COE (correct as of press time).
The facelifted Kia Carnival will trade the turbodiesel engine of old for a petrol-electric drivetrain
Kia Singapore also took the chance at the Motor Show to preview the facelifted Kia Carnival, which is set to ditch its diesel powertrain for a petrol-electric one instead. Sgcarmart understands the MPV will officially go on sale later this year.
| Car model | Price as of press time (excluding COE) |
| Kia EV9 GT-Line 99.8kWh | $289,999 |
Kia has a new (electric) flagship ruling our shores - and it's not an exaggeration to say it's nothing like the machines put out by the brand previously.
Unveiled, and officially launched on the opening day of the 2024 Singapore Motor Show (11 Jan 2024), the Kia EV9 marks the largest and most powerful fully-electric model the Korean firm has brought to Singapore.
It's also the second model released here to be built atop of the E-GMP, a bespoke platform for electric cars, after the EV6. (The Kia Niro Electric shares its architecture with its partially combustion-powered twins.)
With its grand arrival, the EV9 stakes its place clearly as the flagship of Kia's local lineup
Prior to being discontinued, the Sorento Hybrid used to be the largest SUV to wear a Kia badge here - but the EV9 now takes it a notch higher (or bigger). At 5,015mm long and 1,780mm tall, it's both quite a fair bit longer and taller, clocking in more at the Kia Telluride's size (the model has never been sold in Singapore).
Still, what will likely strike one more immediately about the EV9 is its design.
Concept cars rarely follow through with their otherworldliness, as their cooler edges are smoothened out on the way to production. With its unusually thin head and taillights, and its aggressively boxy shape, the EV9 hasn't appeared to suffer that fate.
Thanks to its boxy shape, thin head and taillights, and Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, the EV9 looks like nothing on our roads today
Notably, given that this is an EV, Kia hasn't bothered with a gaping, fake grille. Instead, it's invested its efforts into differentiating the car's unmistakably sealed front end, bestowing its 'Digital Tiger Face' instead with what's called the Digital Pattern Lighting Grille. This standard feature sees animated, cube-shaped lights flanking the sides of the car's nose.
Still, the EV9 isn't a model that prides style over substance.
Three-row SUVs are all too common in the combustion-powered world, but remain a rarity among EVs. The EV9 now promises to be an alluring option to those looking to ferry more than five without the burden of tailpipe emissions. In fact, it does so as the first electric SUV in Singapore to feature captain's chairs in the second row - though this also means that it's a strict six-seater.
These aren't just rare captain's chairs (for an SUV) that you see on the EV9, but specially-designed ones that can swivel up 180 degrees
It seems buyers will get two options with the second row here. The first are what Kia is calling relaxation seats - offered by default - which can be reclined (simultaneously with those in the first row) while the vehicle is charging.
Extroverted personalities, on the other hand, can opt for the swivel seats, which can be rotated 180 degrees to face the third row. Kia says this "fosters interactive experiences between passengers", such as playing games or extended conversations without sore necks.
That is, of course, if everyone isn't too absorbed by their favourite tunes, emanating from the car's 14-speaker Meridian High-Performance Sound System.
The panoramic instrument cluster houses twin 12.3-inch screens for the driver's display (right) and infotainment system (centre)
Other standard interior features reinforce Kia's clear intent in recent times to inch into the premium segment. These include the panoramic instrument display on the dashboard, housing twin 12.3-inch screens for the driver's display and infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and a dual sunroof.
Eco-minded folks will also delight to note that the plush interior widely incorporates sustainably-sourced materials, which you'll find on the interior coverings, dashboard and pillars.
As the flagship of the Kia range today, the EV9 also boasts impressive performance. Dual motors are capable of sending 283kW (380bhp) and a whopping 700Nm of instant torque to all four wheels, sending the SUV to 100km/h from rest in six seconds flat.
Dual electric motors are capable of producing 380bhp and 700Nm of instant torque, while a 99.8kWh battery gives the car up to 512km of range - a very comfortable figure for driving in Singapore
Thankfully, with a sizeable 99.8kWh battery on board, the EV9 doesn’t trade performance for range, and can travel up to 512km (WLTP-rated) when fully charged. Furthermore, its sophisticated battery architecture supports rapid charging at up to 350kW, with which its battery will go from a 10 to 80% state of charge in just 18 minutes.
We'd never think to chuck a five-metre long SUV around a set of b-roads, but Kia says the EV9 will handle better than you think thanks to the battery's underfloor positioning. On the note of driving situations that are unlikely to come to mind in the EV9, the car is also equipped with a Terrain Mode for light offroading.
Back on the expressway and in the city, however, drivers shouldn’t have to fear the car’s hulking size too much. An incredible total of 20 standard driver-assist features are packed into the EV9, including a Safe Exit Warning and an Auto Evasive Steering Assist on top of the usual list (adaptive cruise control; blind spot monitoring; etc).
Kia says the digital side mirrors, which are mounted at the exterior on each front door, actually improve a driver's field of vision
As a first for the brand, the EV9 also ditches conventional side mirrors for digital ones instead, relying on exterior cameras mounted on each front door. Kia believes the driver's field of vision actually expands and becomes clearer with this tech, helping to improve their overall situational awareness.
If there's any downside to the magic that Kia has woven into the EV9, here's a caveat: This will unsurprisingly be the most expensive model released by the firm on our shores, easily surpassing the EV6. Prices start at $289,999 without COE (correct as of press time).
The facelifted Kia Carnival will trade the turbodiesel engine of old for a petrol-electric drivetrain
Kia Singapore also took the chance at the Motor Show to preview the facelifted Kia Carnival, which is set to ditch its diesel powertrain for a petrol-electric one instead. Sgcarmart understands the MPV will officially go on sale later this year.
| Car model | Price as of press time (excluding COE) |
| Kia EV9 GT-Line 99.8kWh | $289,999 |
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