Kia EV9 electric SUV bookings now open in Malaysia; launch soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Kia Malaysia is gearing up to expand its EV lineup in the country with the launch of its award-winning electric SUV, the Kia EV9. Kia Malaysia revealed that it has started accepting bookings and pre-order for the highly-awaited EV.

The award-winning Kia EV9, fresh from its double victory at the prestigious 2024 World Car Awards can be pre-ordered at Kia showrooms nationwide.

The announcement comes on the heels of the EV9's notable achievements at the New York Auto Show, where it was honored as both World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle.

The Kia EV9's accolades, recognized by a panel of 100 esteemed automotive journalists from 29 countries, highlight its cutting-edge design, expansive seven-seater interior, and competitive pricing. Built on Kia's innovative E-GMP platform and featuring the latest fourth-generation battery technology, the EV9 sets new standards in performance and sustainability.

This dual win at the World Car Awards is a continuation of Kia's tradition of excellence, with the brand having secured several awards in previous years, including accolades for the Telluride, Soul EV, and EV6 GT. Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia, expressed immense pride in the recognition, stating it reaffirms Kia's dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and design.

While specific details regarding the variants and pricing of the Kia EV9 were not disclosed by the automaker, an image accompanying the official news sees the KIA EV9 wearing the GT-Line badging, hinting at the arrival of the EV’s performance-oriented variant.

As for the Kia EV9 GT-line specs, we can refer to the Thai and Singaporean markets, where it recently went on sale. In these regions, the EV boasts a sophisticated dual motor setup, producing a combined system output of 385 PS and 700 Nm. 

Feeding the motors is a 99.8-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack that lets it cruise up to 512 km (WLTP cycle) on a single charge. With the help of an 11 kW AC socket, the Kia EV9 GT-Line achieves a 10-80% state of charge in approx eight hours. Alternatively, the 350 kW DC unit delivers the same charge level in just 24 minutes, showcasing its rapid charging capabilities.

In terms of dimensions, the three-row SUV Kia EV9 impresses with a length of 5,015 mm, a width of 1,980 mm, and a height of 1,780 mm, accompanied by a spacious wheelbase of 3,100 mm. 

Noteworthy exterior features include its signature 'Digital Tiger Face' featuring a striking 'Digital Pattern Lighting Grille,' vertical headlights, Star Map LED daytime running lights, and sleek LED rear combination lamps. Also, parts of the kit are retractable door handles, a dual sunroof, a conveniently powered tailgate, and cutting-edge digital side mirrors.

The EV is offered in both six and seven-seat configurations in the international markets. Both the front and second-row seats can recline, and the second-row seats offer the flexibility of rotating 180 degrees to face the third-row. Inside, the family-oriented cabin features a spacious 'Panoramic wide display' comprising a 12.3-inch cluster display, a 5-inch segment display, and a 12.3-inch infotainment system display. 

The Kia EV9 also boasts an impressive array of safety and advanced driver-assistance features, including Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Steering Assist, Auto Evasive Steering Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Follow Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Manual Speed Limit Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Driver Attention Warning, Finger Print Module, and Rear Occupant Alert.

Speaking of the global accolades received by the Kia EV9, the electric SUV also recently grabbed the esteemed title of 'World's Best Car for 2024' at the Women's Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) awards. Also, it emerged as a 'Top Three in the World' finalist contender at the 2024 World Car Awards and secured victory in the 'Family Cars' category at the Golden Steering Wheel 2023. Furthermore, it was honoured as the 'German Luxury Car of the Year 2024'. 

These achievements highlight the EV9's remarkable performance, design, and appeal across various categories and audiences.

The Kia EV9 is expected to launch soon in Malaysia. Prospective buyers can now place their bookings for the EV through authorised Kia dealerships in Malaysia.

Also read: Kia EV5 makes its ASEAN debut in Thailand, starting from RM 162k