Kia to Build 2024 EV9 SUV in US to Qualify for Federal Tax Credit

NEW YORK—Kia’s EV9 SUV landed stateside this week with a New York International Auto Show sneak peek, though it won’t arrive at dealers until Q4, with “extremely limited inventory” at first.

Pricing was not announced, but to qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, electric SUVs must be under $80,000. The Rivian R1S, one of the only other 7-seat EVs on the market, starts at $78,000, well above the $35,890 Kia charges for its other 3-row SUV, the gas-powered Telluride.

The South Korea-based automaker will manufacture the EV9 in an existing Kia plant(Opens in a new window) in West Point, Georgia, as domestic assembly is one of several requirements to qualify for the tax credit. Kia’s first two EVs, the Niro EV and EV6, do not qualify since they are manufactured abroad. The West Point facility already produces the Telluride SUV, Sorento SUV, and the K5 midsize sedan.

On April 17, the IRS will publish a new list of vehicles that qualify for the credit before strict battery sourcing requirements take effect on April 18. That will confirm if the EV9 makes the cut and how much buyers stand to gain. (Not all vehicles will achieve the full $7,500 unless a certain percentage of their battery minerals and components are also sourced domestically.)

Kia EV9 at its New York City premiere.
(Credit: Emily Dreibelbis)

The EV9 is slightly longer than the Telluride with a more premium cabin. It seats up to seven passengers, and the second row swivels to face the third row for passengers to interact while the vehicle charges. Up front, a dual display cockpit receives over-the-air updates to equip the vehicle with the latest software.

“Every seat inside the EV9 is considered executive-class,” Kia says. “First and second passenger row occupants are treated to an available ‘Relaxation Mode,’ which offers power operated leg rests, and high-power USB-C outlets throughout the cabin allow for device recharging for all.”

At the NYC EV9 premeire, Kia Senior Designer Mark Rumsey shows how the Kia design teams in California and Korea collaborate in the metaverse.
(Credit: Emily Dreibelbis)

The EV9 has 300 miles of range on its extended range model (99.8kWh battery). It has not released the range for the standard model, though the battery will be notably smaller at 76.1kWh. On a public fast charger (up to 230kWh), the EV9 goes from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

“The EV9 is the second Kia model based on the E-GMP platform, and the first to feature fourth-generation battery technology designed for improved energy density,” Kia says.

E-GMP(Opens in a new window) is the dedicated Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) platform from Kia parent company Hyundai, which is also at the Auto Show this week with details about its upcoming Kona EV.

Kia also confirms that US EV9 buyers will get a slew of autonomous driving features, though it won’t be the full Level 3 autonomy Kia will introduce in other markets. The US does not currently allow any Level 3 autonomous vehicles, though Mercedes recently became the first automaker to achieve clearance for it in Nevada.

Kia EV9 premiere in New York City.
(Credit: Emily Dreibelbis)

“Debuting on the EV9 for the Kia brand in North America are Advanced Highway Driving Assist (AHDA) and Lane Following Assist 2 (LFA-2),” Kia says. These features use LiDAR-based technology to keep the EV9 in its lane on the highway and at a healthy distance from vehicles ahead.

The EV9 also has collision alerts, automatic braking, high beam assist, intelligent speed limit assist, safe exit assist, remote parking assist, and smart cruise control. But don’t take your eyes off the road. “Please be aware of your surroundings and exercise proper road etiquette when operating a vehicle,” Kia warns.