√2024 Kia EV9: Australian model line-up outlined in government documents

The model-by-model rundown of the Kia EV9 electric SUV has been laid bare in government documents ahead of showroom arrivals later this month.

The 2024 Kia EV9 is due to offer a choice of battery sizes and driving ranges when the electric family SUV arrives in Australian showrooms in the coming weeks.

Kia has passed the next checkpoint in the EV9‘s road to local showrooms: government approval to sell the vehicle in Australia.

As previously indicated by Kia Australia, the model line-up will be available in rear-wheel-drive Standard Range and all-wheel-drive Long Range formats.

The Long Range version of the Kia EV9 has been certified in standard and GT-Line configurations, with alloy wheels between 19 and 21 inches in diameter – compared to 19-inch alloys on the base model.

Prices are yet to be announced, however Drive has previously reported an estimated starting price of approximately $95,000 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Standard Range version.

MORE: 2023 Kia EV9 electric SUV ramps up orders, long wait times expected

The flagship GT-Line all-wheel drive could cost in excess of $120,000 plus on-road costs, if overseas prices are a guide.

The previous most expensive Kia sold in Australia is the smaller EV6 electric car in high-performance GT form, priced from $99,590 plus on-road costs, or about $110,000 drive-away (depending on state or territory of registration).

Australia will initially miss out on the longest-range version of the Kia EV9 available globally – the Long Range with rear-wheel drive – capable of a claimed 541km on a single charge.

Powering the Standard Range is a 76.1kWh battery driving a 160kW/350Nm electric motor at the rear, good for a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds.

The Long Range AWD version of the Kia EV9 upgrades to dual electric motors developing 283kW and 600Nm, powered by a 99.8kWh battery for 0-100km/h in six seconds in standard form.

Available overseas is a downloadable ‘boost’ feature for the Long Range AWD – available to buy through an app within the car – that increases torque to 700Nm, and cuts the 0-100km/h time to 5.3 seconds. It is unclear if this will come to Australia.

A driving range claim for the Standard Range RWD is yet to be announced, however the Long Range AWD claims 496km in European WLTP testing.

Drive has previously reported there could be three model grades of the Kia EV9, which government documents indicate may entail the Standard Range RWD entry model (badged Air), a mid-grade Long Range AWD model (possibly badged Earth), and a GT-Line flagship with the largest battery and all-wheel drive.

As reported by Drive in August 2023, Kia dealers are believed to be holding more than 200 customer orders, before pricing has been announced.

The complete list of RRPs for the Kia EV9 is expected to be released closer to local showroom arrivals.

Only 200 examples of the new Kia EV9 are expected in the initial batch due later this year, ahead of about 1000 examples next year. Kia Australia said in August 2023 it had received about 7000 “expressions of interest” via its online portal.

Kia Australia executives have previously said the company is seeing strong interest from buyers in wealthy areas – including Sydney’s Northern Beaches and Eastern Suburbs – rather than middle-income suburbs where a large share of Kia buyers to date have been located.

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