LOS ANGELES, /PRNewswire/ — On Thursday, the all-electric Kia EV9 was named as a finalist in the competition for 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™ by the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) jury1. The EV9 was evaluated by 50 third-party jurors and named one of three finalists from among nine semi-finalists.
The all-electric EV9 embodies the rugged yet sophisticated appearance befitting a flagship SUV. The boxy, triangular Opposites United design language of the EV9 emphasizes the tension of its short overhangs and long wheelbase, pushed to the corners over the modular E-GMP electric underpinnings. The EV9 is the second Kia model based on the E-GMP platform, and the first to feature fourth-generation battery technology designed for improved energy density. The EV9 offers a choice of two powertrain options. Standard is a 76.1-kWh battery with a 160-kW (215-hp) motor that drives the rear wheels. An optional 99.8-kWh battery will be available in a single-motor configuration (201-hp), or a dual-motor, 283-kW (379-hp) all-wheel-drive configuration. The two battery sizes yield five variants: Light (short-range or long-range), Wind, Land, GT-Line.
Set to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2023, the EV9 is the brand’s flagship. With a starting MSRP of $54,9002 (excluding destination charges), the EV9 Light RWD will come standard with DC fast-charging capability, seating for up to seven passengers, 19-inch alloy wheels, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat3 with heating4 and ventilation, and is rated at an EPA-estimated all-electric range of 230 miles5. Assembly of the EV9 is scheduled to move to the state-of-the-art Kia facility in West Point, Georgia in 2024.
The winner of 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™ will be announced on January 4, 2024.
SOURCE Kia America
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