KIA Malaysia has a lot riding on its sole electric vehicle (EV) model this year.

With only one new model in the ring the electric sports utility vehicle (e-SUV) needs to stand out in an all-too-hot market that sees an influx unlike previous years.

But fortunately we are talking about the luxury-premium range where EVs while numerous do get slightly diverse with their offerings.

Which thankfully is where the EV9 GT-Line sits, giving it the much needed 'breather' so to speak and equipping the model with some surprises of its own.

Advance Automobility

Kia's completely built-up (CBU) EV9 GT-Line runs on 21-inch alloy wheels and comes in either a 7-seater or 6-seater configuration.

It is a multi-award winning model having earned titles such as the 2024 World Car of The Year and Best of the Best Award in Cars and Motorcycle category by Red Dot Award's Product Design 2024 since its debut in March 2023.

It adopts the brand's signature Digital Tiger Face front design that features two clusters of small cube lamps adjacent to each headlamp to put the spotlight on its Digital Pattern Lighting Grille, and Star Map LED daytime running lights (DRL) as its taillights.

A distinctive black colour palette for the front and rear bumpers, wheels and roof rack are a defining part of the GT-Line model.

Also unique to the model is that it is Kia's first dedicated three-row flagship e-SUV that is build on brand's Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). 

It is the second Kia model based on this platform and is also the first to feature a fourth-generation battery technology designed for improved energy density.

Its all-wheel drive (AWD) setup is powered by a high-voltage 99.8 kWh battery pack that is paired with dual electric motors to deliver 380 hp and 700 Nm maximum torque.

Performance rated at a 5.3 seconds 0-100 kph acceleration with a top speed of 200 kph and a travel range of up to 505 km.

The e-SUV's Charging Control Unit (ICCU) system supplies up to 3.6 kWh of power for its vehicle-to-load (V2L) function.

One of the defining points of the EV9 GT-Line is the massive list of features as part of its advanced driver assisted system (ADAS).

You're looking at: High Beam Assist, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning, Junction Crossing, Lane-Change Oncoming, Direct Oncoming, Lane-Change Side, Driving Steering Assist and Auto Evasive Steering Assist, Lane Following Assist and Smart Cruise Control.

Equally impressive is the safety list that includes: 10 SRS airbags (front driver and passenger, driver knee, side, curtain and centre side), Anti-Lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control, Safe Exit Assist (a system which automatically provides a warning and locks the door if an approaching vehicle from the rear side is detected within the blind spot), Traction Control System, Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, Brake Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Isofix child restraint anchor points and top tethers as well as Hill-start Assist Control.

The cabin's access and comfort makeup is complete with a floating panoramic dashboard that comes with two 12.3-inch touch screens that's integrated with a 5-inch segment display that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

There's also fast wireless smartphone charging, USB-C ports for all seat rows, ambient mood lighting at the front and rear armrests as well as the top of the map pocket, a 14-speaker Meridian surround audio system, and recline their seats for the first and second-row passengers.

Green and sustainability is a huge part of the model as well with the cabin featuring recycled materials for its furnishing.

A key highlight of the model is that it has digital side mirrors, viewed through monitors on each front passenger side from within the cabin, in place of traditional side mirrors.

The e-SUV has an overall length of 5,010mm, is 1,980mm in width with a height of 1,755mm. Wheelbase is measured at 3,100mm.

Depending on you choice of 7-seater or 6-seater option the Kia EV9 GT-Line will be priced from RM 368,888 and RM 373,888, respectively. 

The five exterior colours to choose from come in the form of either Ocean Blue, Snow White Pearl, Pebble Gray, Aurora Black Pearl or Iceberg Green.

The vehicle comes with a five years manufacturer warranty or first 150,000km, whichever comes first. Additionally, the battery warranty coverage is up to eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.

Surprising Solutions

Since this is the second Kia EV model in our local lineup it is best to be clear that the EV9 isn't the follow-up update to the EV6 which is an entirely different model.

Now that we've gotten a possible confusion out of the way, let us get back to sizing up the EV9.

Which, as first impressions go, is quite intimidating from the exterior. If doesn't have a fierce front but the EV9 is quite massive in size.

Pair that with a no-nonsense semi-boxy design and you get that all-business and no-play image - especially when it is in Aurora Black Pearl.

Then there's the side cameras in place of side mirrors. Picture that you're already in control of a fairly large vehicle and now, while you're ecstatic about a very new feature, will also have to worry about damaging this new piece of hardware - because we can only assume fixing or replacing these side cameras will be costly.

But trust Kia to know how to ease drivers in with their large models. Taking a page out of the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) Carnival, the EV9 drives with ease despite its size.

It took me awhile to get use to the model's layout and touchpoints from the gear selector to the digital side screens in lieu of side mirrors. But once I did I was surprise by how light driving the model feels by the steering and acceleration.

There was also initial concern with the EV9's brakeforce feedback (when you combine EV sensibilities and the size of the vehicle you're in) which thankfully were unfounded. The e-SUV delivered a seamless and smooth drive experience.

Bringing us to passenger comfort. Everything from the features, seats and cabin space was designed to ensure it was the prime highlight for choosing the EV9.

Sounds like the perfect passenger vehicle you can sink into, as long as you can get used to the digital side mirrors.

You're going to rely on them a lot and the experience can be jarring at first. It is quite the juxtaposition because the EV9 is huge but the camera view makes the vehicle feel smaller than it is.

It'll come as second nature after some time but it will take getting use to. Until then this clash in perspective will have you manoeuvre around (especially in reverse) extra cautiously. 

Verdict

Formidable at first, I gradually came to be impressed with what the EV9 GT-Line has to offer. And I suspect this will be the same for most who have had the model on their radar.

The one area that I've not touched upon is the pricing which for a Kia is at the top end for the brand. Much like the EV6 before it there's no sugar coating the premium you'll be paying.

Unlike the EV6 however, the EV9 is up against a massive entry of EVs in our market on all levels of price range. This complicates the EV9's premium position and how much it can stand up against the competition.

On the flip side the positioning it is in allows it some unique advantages that have yet to catch on in our market.

Such as, for now, it is one of the more affordable models to come with proper digital side mirrors and is perhaps one-of-two EVs with that much cabin space at this price point.

Stick with the model and in return, as a package, it isn't hard to see why is it an award winning machine.

It is an e-SUV with good range that is primed for comfort and drives with surprising ease. To top it off it comes complete with so many features that few models within the price range is as stacked. It sits right above being a well-rounded vehicle for all it has to offer.

The big payoff comes once you get use to the digital side mirrors and the size of the EV9 GT-Line. From then on it becomes the only model you'll ever need for most occasions.