2023 Kia EV9: New electric SUV announced ahead of its launch to compete with Tesla Model X, Hyundai Ioniq 7, Toyota Kluger Hybrid and more

The full concept Kia EV9 will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Kia is just a few weeks away from launching the all-new EV6 in Australia, but is already preparing its next EV. The South Korean automaker has released teaser images of its large EV9 SUV, which is due to be officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week (November 17).

The EV9 will be the sister model to the already-confirmed Hyundai Ioniq 7, which was also teased last week ahead of its unveiling at the Los Angeles show. The pair aim to be the first mainstream brand to offer a full-size electric SUV in Australia, with only the Tesla Model X, Jaguar I-Pace and the upcoming BMW iX offering similarly sized electric vehicle models.

The design of the EV9 appears to have little in common with the EV6 despite sharing the same Hyundai-Kia Group e-GMP platform. While the EV6 is a sleek and aerodynamic midsize SUV, the EV9 looks bolder and boxier.

Or, as Kia puts it, the EV9 is “an intriguing look at the future of the all-electric SUV, combining progressive design, state-of-the-art technology and an advanced all-electric powertrain in one groundbreaking package.”

The images released by Kia show enlarged wheel arches, a large front end and a straight roofline.

Inside, Kia teases that the interior will be relatively simple, with a single large screen taking up almost the entire width of the dashboard. There is also a rectangular steering wheel (though noticeably absent the yoke-shaped steering gear favored by Tesla) with a single-spoke design. 

Officially, Kia calls the new steering wheel "a radical new take on the traditional steering wheel," but the single spoke evokes a 1980s vibe despite the modern intent of Kia's designers.

As for what's under the body, Kia puts out little more than this, using an extended version of the "e-GMP" platform from the EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Given its larger size, you could reasonably expect a bigger and more powerful one. battery than is currently in the Ioniq 5, a 72.6 kWh unit.

It's also likely that the EV9 will get the same choice of single or twin engine to create rear- and all-wheel drive options, but that's all speculation at this stage. You can expect more details next week, so stay tuned.

The exact timing of EV9 is also unclear. Hyundai has blocked the release of the Ioniq 6 sedan for 2022, with the Ioniq 7 waiting until 2024, but since Kia doesn't appear to have plans to launch its own EV sedan, it's possible that the EV9 could arrive in 2023 to expand launches.