The Kia EV9 is a midsize electric SUV that looks like something out of The Jetsons. It isn’t a spaceship, but it may as well be based on some of its cool and kooky features. Hyundai Motor Company and its sub-brands are innovating in the EV space, and the South Korean brands have experienced plenty of success with some EV nameplates. The Kia EV9 has the potential to be a hit as well.

This Kia EV9 feature is strange and futuristic

Kia recently held an event in Seoul, South Korea, to showcase the production model of the 2024 Kia EV9 after displaying the concept at several auto shows. Members of the media were able to check out how the production EV9 differed from the far-out concept model. Surprisingly, there weren’t many groundbreaking changes between the two models (aside from a more simplified exterior). Kia was able to keep many of the most exciting features teased by the concept.

One cool EV9 feature that will remain on the production model as well is second-row captain’s chairs that are able to rotate. The chairs can rotate up to 180 degrees. Is anyone else getting major Star Trek vibes?

The Kia EV9’s design language deliberately pushes limits and challenges the norm. The midsize electric SUV’s rotating second-row captain’s chairs may not seem like a huge deal, but this feature is one of many examples of Kia subverting conventional design and forging a new path toward the future.

Why drivers have high expectations for the Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 is the first fully-electric midsize SUV from Kia. It follows the Kia EV6, a small electric SUV making a big splash in the industry. The EV6 is a World Performance Car of the Year finalist. It’s a cousin of the former World Car of the Year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. There are already plenty of great EV nameplates coming out of South Korea. Expectations are high for newer Hyundai Motor Company models like the Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Expectations are also high for the EV9 because it’s related to one of the most popular midsize SUV’s in the game, the Kia Telluride. The Telluride is one of the most value-oriented SUVs on the market, and it has the accolades to prove it. Kia’s midsize SUV has topped ranking lists for years.

Consumers and auto enthusiasts expect the Kia EV9 to be an electric Telluride or at least Telluride-adjacent. The midsize electric SUV has big shoes to fill. The question is, will it live up to the hype?

What do drivers want from the Kia EV9?

The Kia EV9 has great potential, but it has to deliver on the EV fundamentals before gaining the approval of drivers. The EV6 has a max driving range of 310 miles. The EV9 should ideally have a max driving range of 310-330 miles as a larger SUV.

Kia’s midsize electric SUV should also have an exhilarating amount of torque (that’s delivered instantly thanks to electric motors). U.S. News & World Report claims that the 2023 Kia EV6 GT makes 545 lb-ft of torque.

While most midsize SUVs don’t need that much torque, a similar power output on one of the EV9 configurations certainly wouldn’t hurt it. Above all, drivers are expecting a comfortable and value-oriented SUV because of the standard that the Telluride has set.