Kia has launched teaser pictures of its EV9 flagship electrical SUV, which is scheduled to debut in production-ready kind March 15.

These pictures trace at styling that is broadly much like the EV9 idea that debuted on the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Present, preserving the idea’s boxy profile, vertical headlights, and even the angled facet glass, which comes to a degree on the rear roof pillar.

The idea loaded up on design concepts, together with recycled fibers all through, a Pause Mode that turns permits seats to show and face one another, and an Get pleasure from Mode for tailgating. Whereas we do not anticipate to see all of this on the manufacturing EV9, anticipate some packaging innovation.

Kia EV9 teaser

Prone to attain the U.S. within the second half of 2023, the manufacturing EV9 is anticipated to supply three rows of seating and a few off-road functionality—basically equaling the model’s gasoline Telluride. The automaker has additionally confirmed that the manufacturing EV9 can have a spread of as much as 300 miles.

It could even be U.S.-built—ultimately. Manufacturing is perhaps shifted to Hyundai’s Georgia “Metaplant,” when that plant is up and operating round 2026.

The EV9 would be the largest automobile but to be designed and constructed on the E-GMP devoted electrical automobile platform shared by Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, though the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 7 may rival it.

In 2022, when it confirmed that prototypes had been out testing, Kia mentioned that the EV9 “will develop into the model’s flagship mannequin and can revolutionize the big electrical SUV section”—setting the stage for a worth which may simply method luxurious autos.

Kia EV9 idea

Kia could possibly justify the next worth by focusing on the Rivian R1S, the one different electrical SUV at the moment obtainable that mixes off-road functionality and three-row seating. The U.S. agency has struggled to ramp up manufacturing to fulfill excessive demand.

The EV9’s built-in off-road prowess and extra outdoorsy emphasis may serve one other function as nicely. The model has confirmed {that a} Kia electrical pickup is within the works as a world mannequin—maybe with an EV9-basis—though it has stopped simply in need of confirming U.S. gross sales.