Peter Lyon
March 8, 2024
The Kia EV9, the company’s flagship electric car (EV), has officially debuted in Thailand. The pricing of the EV SUV, which is available in two variants—the Earth Long Range RWD and the GT-Line Long Range AWD—is 3.5 million baht (about RM463,322) and 3.9 million baht (about RM516,208), respectively.
The Kia EV9 has flush door handles, LED taillights, an LED-illuminated digital grille, and the company’s Small Cube projection LED headlights with automated high beam assist. While the GT-Line AWD variant has larger 21-inch alloy wheels, the Long Range RWD variant has 20-inch alloy wheels.
In Thailand, the Kia EV9 Long Range RWD is propelled by a single rear-mounted motor that produces 350 Nm and 204 hp (metric). This enables the EV SUV to reach a top speed of 185 km/h and accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds.
Now while the EV9 has debuted in Thailand, we do expect this strategic flagship model to make its way into Malaysian showrooms too. Details are still sketchy but we expect Kia to launch the model here by the end of summer this year. If we look at the car’s price in Thailand, then we can expect the EV9 to arrive here starting at around RM463,322.
The top spec dual-motor EV9 GT-Line AWD in Thailand generates 305 hp and 600 Nm which translates into a top speed of 200 km/h and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds.
A 99.8 kWh lithium-ion battery powers both of the EV9 models sold in Thailand, enabling the Long Range RWD to cover up to 680 km (NEDC), although expect around 580 kms in the real world. With its more potent dual-motor arrangement, the EV9 GT-Line AWD has a marginally lower all-electric range of 647 km (NEDC).
The EV9 can be charged using AC power at a maximum rate of 10.5 kW across its charging range. The alternative option, DC charging, has a maximum rate of 350 kW and can charge both EV9 models from 10% to 80% in less than 24 minutes.
The EV9 in Thailand has a six-seat interior. Here, standard features include a telescopic heated steering wheel, eight-way electrically powered ventilated and heated front seats, and leather upholstery. Along with an automated 3-zone air conditioning system, a Qi wireless charging pad, and an instrument display and infotainment display with compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there’s also a double 12.3-inch display layout available. Additionally, Kia has included an 8-speaker sound system and ambient lighting as standard features.
Upgrading to the EV9 GT-Line AWD edition adds luxuries like electrically adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation capabilities, memory for the driver seat, and a head-up display (HUD). Sports pedals, a 14-speaker Meridian sound system, and an electrically telescoping steering wheel are further features of the Thai-spec EV9 GT-Line AWD. And yes, we can expect these features to appear on the Malaysia -spec version when it arrives.
In Thailand, customer deliveries of the Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD are scheduled to begin in April 2024, while the Long Range AWD model should go online in June 2024.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Kia has been winning design and car of the year awards all over the place, and this EV9 benefits from that DNA. It’s definitely a good-looker, boasts competitive range, superb interior quality, and quick charging thanks to that 350kW DC charging capability. The price also sounds right on the money in terms of competitiveness.
