[Taboleo] "Packed with New Technologies" Kia EV9, a Family Car Drivers Enjoy

Wheelbase 3100mm, Longer Than Palisade and GV80
Second-Row Swivel Seats Allow Facing Third Row While Driving
Smooth Ride... 500km Range Per Charge
Automatic Lane Changing... The Joy of 'Not' Driving

The Kia EV9 is the most notable new car both domestically and internationally this year. This is because it is Kia's flagship electric vehicle that incorporates all commercially viable technologies currently available. Kia introduced the EV9 as a "driver-pleasing family car." They emphasized that while it serves as a family car for enjoying quality time with loved ones, it does not overlook various driver-centric features. The EV9 development team expressed confidence by stating that "there is no competing model domestically" when launching Korea's first electrified 3-row (7-seater) sport utility vehicle (SUV), the EV9. We test-drove the EV9, a culmination of Kia's advanced technology, on the 13th. The test route covered a 210 km stretch from Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, through Asan, to Buyeo.

- What was your impression of the Kia EV9 after seeing it in person?

First, I was overwhelmed by its grand size. I had already seen the Kia EV9’s exterior at the Seoul Mobility Show last March. The design uses many straight lines overall and gives a bold volume, making it look much larger than existing flagship SUVs. The wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheel axles), which determines interior space, is 3100 mm. This is longer than the existing internal combustion engine SUVs like the Palisade (2900 mm) and GV80 (2955 mm). The front features a ‘digital pattern lighting grille’ that gives a futuristic car vibe. If you subscribe, you can continuously change the grille’s pattern to your liking. I was a bit nervous driving such a large vehicle for the first time in a while, but once I sat in the driver’s seat, the wide field of view actually made driving easier. Various sensors helped when reversing or navigating narrow passages without any issues. It is equipped with a ‘panoramic wide display’ that connects three displays?the instrument cluster, climate control, and infotainment system?into one, giving a clean and spacious impression. The interior materials also showed efforts to create a more eco-friendly car by using sustainable materials such as recycled plastics.

- Since it’s a family car, the rear seats must be important.

Before the actual drive, I tried sitting in the rear seats. The model I rode had second-row swivel seats. Using the swivel seats, the second-row seats can be rotated 180 degrees backward to face the third row. This allows parents sitting in the second row to face their child in the third row while traveling. If you rotate the seat backward and pull it toward the driver’s seat, there is enough knee space even for tall adults. Rotating the seat 90 degrees to face the door makes it easy to seat and remove a child in a car seat. Those with children will understand how useful this feature is.

Because the battery is laid flat on the floor, the interior space is spacious and comfortable. This makes it great for car camping or outdoor activities. It is also equipped with a 100 kWh (kilowatt-hour) battery (99.8 kWh) that supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) technology. V2L allows the electric vehicle’s battery power to be used externally. There is a V2L outlet inside the vehicle, so various electronic devices can be used inside the car. By connecting a connector, the EV battery power can also be used outdoors.

- How about driving performance and driver convenience features?

The driving feel is smooth yet light. Pushing a heavy body weighing over 2 tons would require considerable power, but there is no shortage or disappointment in the motor’s power. This car is not as fast or agile as the EV6 GT. This is probably due to the heavy battery of about 100 kWh and the large body. However, it can travel over 500 km on a single charge. The motor’s maximum output is 283 kW for the all-wheel-drive version, and the maximum torque is 600?700 Nm (Newton-meters).

I also tried the ‘i-PEDAL’ function, which is only available in electric vehicles. When i-PEDAL mode is activated, driving and complete stopping can be controlled with just the accelerator pedal. It felt unfamiliar at first, but once I got used to it, driving fatigue was reduced.

Additionally, the EV9 is expected to be equipped with Level 3 autonomous driving technology called ‘Highway Driving Pilot (HDP).’ This technology allows the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel and drive at designated sections and speeds. Since related regulations have not yet been established, we could not test it, but during this test drive, we were able to try the ‘Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2).’ Even with just this feature, I could enjoy the pleasure of ‘not driving.’ It automatically adjusts the distance from the car ahead and maintains the set speed. When the turn signal is activated, it assesses the situation and changes lanes automatically. In congested sections, it repeatedly stops and goes, and it recognizes the speed limits on the road and displays the appropriate speed. However, the lane change function is still difficult to use in complex urban areas. Even when the driver thought there was enough space to merge, the car made conservative judgments and movements.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.