Peter Lyon
April 9, 2024
After launching in Thailand last month, Kia has now announced that reservations for its flagship EV9 electric SUV, which was just named World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle of the Year, are now being accepted in Malaysia. For interested parties, Kia is making this announcement through its local distributor partner Dinamikjaya Motors.
The business claims that customers can pre-order the car at the closest Kia stores or by using the contact form on its official website, though pricing details have not yet been made public.
In Malaysia, we shouldn’t be surprised by the Kia EV9’s arrival as it has already been seen on local roads multiple times. However, the carmaker has not yet released details on this premium SUV, including a breakdown of its Malaysian specifications.
Let’s try to address that here. There are two EV9 models available in Thailand, and both use the same 99.8 kWh battery pack. With a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 204 hp and 350 Nm of torque, the Earth Long Range spec slots in at the base level. Its range is up to 542 km (WLTP), which in real world terms translates to around 470km. On the other hand, the flagship GT-Line AWD model has an electric range of 482 km (WLTP) — 420 roughly in real world—and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with a total output rated at 385 hp and 700 Nm.
The premium SUV can be fully charged from 10 to 80% in just 24 minutes thanks to both models’ 800V electrical architecture, which supports DC fast charging at up to 350 kW. With outputs up to 3.58 kW, the Kia EV9 will feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionalities, just like all other electric models constructed on the business’s e-GMP platform.
In Thailand, the Kia EV9 will be available in two variants—the entry-level Earth Long Range, which features manually adjustable second-row seats with swivel functionality, and the top-of-the-line GT-Line AWD, which has electrically adjustable “Relaxation” seats with heating and ventilation features, akin to the Kia Carnival. We expect the Malaysian spec to mirror these specs.
In other regions, the EV9 is also offered with a standard single-motor powertrain that has a smaller battery (76.1 kWh) and a 2-3-2 seven-seater layout with bench seats in the second row.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Naturally, the EV9’s equipment and trim level will vary depending on the local variant lineup. But one thing’s for sure. This SUV doesn’t only look the business—it delivers on road, in the cabin, and in the wallet too. However, important features include its “Digital Pattern Lighting Grille,” twin 12.3-inch screens inside the cabin, LED lighting outside, and, in some markets, full Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities via the advanced driver assistance suite which more and more drivers will pay attention to.
