While Kia is gearing up to unveil their new fully electric flagship SUV, the EV9, a short video has surfaced on social media, providing us with an early glimpse of what appears to be the production-spec model. The three-row SUV was filmed driving fully uncovered on public roads, making it the first time we’ve seen the EV9 outside of a concept. It is possible that the video is a deep fake, but assuming it is legitimate, it gives us our best preview of what’s to come.
The video, uploaded on Instagram by @national.collector and then shared by @cochespias1, reportedly shows the Kia EV9 driving in Santiago, Chile. The only suspicious detail is the low resolution of the footage which is worse than what you get from an average smartphone these days. However, the design of the EV is highly convincing, lending credence to the authenticity of the video. In addition, the timing of the sighting could suggest that the location was deliberately selected for filming promotional materials ahead of the EV9’s global debut.
More: 2024 Kia EV9 SUV Specs Might Have Leaked Suggesting A $56,000 Starting price
The SUV looks very much like the 2021 Kia EV9 Concept retaining the angular surfacing and the proportions, with only a few changes and toned-down features. These include the conventional mirrors, larger headlight clusters, and slightly redesigned front and rear bumpers. The latter are different from those of the lightly camouflaged pre-production prototype that appeared in an official teaser last year, which could mean we are looking at the GT-Line or GT trim. This would also explain the glossy black finish on the plastic cladding and the larger alloy wheels mirroring the futuristic design of the concept.
The fully electric Kia EV9 will ride on a stretched version of the E-GMP architecture and is expected to have a similar footprint to the 4,930 mm (194 inches) long concept. The automaker remains tight-lipped about the SUV’s specifications but a recent leak suggests it will be available in two power outputs with 200 hp (149 kW) or 400 hp (298 kW). The electric range will reportedly be between 220 – 290 miles (354 – 467 km) depending on the trim. Finally, pricing in the US is rumored to start from $56,000 for the base-spec model and reach $73,000 for the flagship trim.
Kia promised an early 2023 launch for the EV9 which means that the official debut should be just around the corner.
