Kia Starts “EV9 Electric Experience” in UK

The Kia Corporation has been pretty busy when it comes to the changing game of the auto industry. The first big deal was the all-electric Kia EV6, the first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from the automaker with no gasoline predecessor. For years, the automaker has been taking popular vehicles and electrifying them, like the Kia Niro – the world’s first hybrid crossover –and turning it into a plug-in hybrid (Kia Niro PHEV), and eventually, a BEV (Kia Niro EV). Shortly after the EV6, Kia electrified the Kia Sportage and Kia Sorento to create the Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, Sorento Hybrid, and Sorento PHEV. Showing no hints of slowing down, the automaker then released an electric SUV, the Kia EV9, most likely based off of the award-winning Kia Telluride, the largest SUV in the lineup. Now that the automaker is going full-tilt with its BEV-expansion, even showing off a new concept during the 2023 Chinese EV Day, the EV5, Kia is taking the EV9 to the masses with a hands-on experience, starting with a UK Dealer Tour.

Set out to host nationwide “EV9 Electric Experience” events, consumers overseas will get a chance to have a hands-on experience of the power of the EV9 all-electric SUV. The second all-electric vehicle to come from the automaker, the number “9” denotes the EV9 as the automaker’s ninth voyage into electrified vehicles. Aiming to also become a more eco-friendly automaker and eventually limit their carbon output, the EV9 is also the most eco-friendly vehicle out there, built from many sustainable materials. The Kia EV9 is an icon of Kia’s leadership in electrification, and the “EV9 Electric Experience” will give consumers the opportunity to learn more about the seven-seat electric SUV and see it in-person. We got a small glimpse of it in the states during the 2022 Chicago Auto Show, where we also were able to test drive the Kia EV6 and Kia K5 sports car.

Because it’s overseas, it’s unclear if the states will also get its own EV9 experience, but over in the UK, events will be held across Kia’s 190 dealerships all across the country. The events already started at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 13-16 July 2023. Now officially on tour, two event teams will be working their way across the UK to host EV9 Electric Experience events, starting on July 20, 2023 at Citygate Kia Slough and JCB Kia Rainham. Set to run until mid-November 2023, there are a variety of events consumers can enjoy. First of all, there will be an unveiling of the model, followed by an in-depth presentation about the EV9, offering consumers the opportunity to look around the vehicle in detail, a Q&A with BEV experts, and for those who can’t wait, the option of putting in an order for the EV9 once it hits the road.

Available in three trims – Air, GT-Line, and GT-Line S, a six-seat variation will also be available for the S trim. Way back when the EV9 was first announced, there were three powertrain setups – a 76.1-kWh battery powering a 160 kW (215 HP) motor and 258 lb-ft of torque equipped with rear-wheel drive (RWD), a RWD long range option powered by a 99.8-kWh battery, able to generate 150 kW (201 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque), and a dual-motor setup that generates 283 kW (379 HP) and 516 lb-ft of torque with all-wheel drive (AWD). According to Kia, every trim of the EV9 for the new model year will come equipped with the 99.8kWh fourth-generation lithium-ion battery. The only difference will be the driving range. The Kia EV9 Air trim has a range of 336 miles, whereas the AWD Kia EV9 GT-Line and Kia EV9 GT-Line S trims offer up to 308 miles range.

The current MSRP is starting at $73,093 (based on euro to USD conversion), but we’ll know more once the Kia EV9 comes to the states. Be sure to keep an eye out for it on Miami Lakes Automall social media.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media