A durable electric SUV enters the “Ring”.

Kia is developing a big, beefy SUV that runs on batteries, and fresh prototypes have been spotted.

The SUV is a production version Concept EV9 was unveiled at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show, and we’ll see it hit dealerships in the second half of 2023, likely as a 2024 model.

Prototypes for the production EV9 point to an SUV with similar styling to the flashy show car, but with toned-down design details. Kia executives said Motor organ concept EV9 represented by about 80-90% of what we will see on the production model.

The interior will be somewhat toned down compared to the concept. However, the concept’s floating screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment center are similar to what’s on the updated 2023 Kia Tellurideprobably.

As for size, we can again refer to Kia’s mid-size Telluride. The Los Angeles EV9 concept was about 194 inches long, or about three inches shorter than the Telluride, and that appears to have carried over to the production EV9. The EV9 should have more interior space than the Telluride, thanks to the electric powertrain, and like the Telluride, third-row seating will be offered.

The car will be based on Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform. The platform features an 800-volt electrical system, bi-directional charging, and delivers 576 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque to the Kia EV6 GT.

Kia EV9 Concept

Kia EV9 Concept

Kia EV9 Concept

Judging by some of the specs of the EV9 concept, the production model should have a range of around 300 miles and the ability to charge the battery from 10-80% in less than 30 minutes. Fast charging will be possible when using a 350 kilowatt charger.

Kia is going to get serious about electric cars. The automaker plans to have 14 electric cars by 2027, including electric pickups. From 2023 to the end of 2027, we can count on the release of at least two Kia electric cars per year.

Hyundai will also launch several electric cars in the coming years. One of them will be the big sister SUV EV9. Hyundai will call it the Ioniq 7, and we got a preview of it at the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show in the form of Seven concepts.