Swiveling seats! Production 2024 Kia EV9 SUV retains cool concept car styling

After months of teaser photos and a “world tour” of the concept version, the production 2024 Kia EV9 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) has finally been revealed.

Slated for launch on March 2023, the EV9 is a three-row electric vehicle (EV) that slots above the Kia EV6 crossover.

Styling-wise, little was changed from the concept EV9, especially the prominent LED headlights that flow into the front fenders. 

This is accentuated by the huge painted fascia and the use of matte-black and gloss-black trim on the bottom of the bumpers and wheel arches.

Down the side, the upward kink of the beltline is likewise carried over, leading the eye to the tailgate spoiler. This is balanced by the black lower door trim and the huge two-tone alloy wheels.

The back end has no shortage of drama – the large LED taillights sprout up the D-pillar and extend into the tailgate hatch. 

3 rows, multiple configurations

Step inside the production Kia EV9 and it’s just as eye-catching as the exterior.

Front occupants get a minimalist dashboard, with the screens for the gauges and the infotainment system integrated into one unit.

But one of the EV9’s coolest party tricks is its swiveling second-row captain seats, similar to an old Renault Espace multi-purpose vehicle. These can be turned 180 degrees so that your rear passengers can face each other.

The final drivetrain specifications and prices have yet to be released. And for the Philippines, there is no word yet about whether or not we will get the EV9.

However, the EV6 is due to be launched locally sometime March 2023, with prices starting under ₱4 million. Its sibling, the Hyundai IONIQ 5, is already for sale starting at ₱3,068,000.

With the electric revolution slowly charging up in the Philippines, would you like to see the Kia EV9 brought here?