Kia’s first fully-electric midsize SUV is coming. The Kia EV9 is the next step in the South Korean brand’s plan to electrify its lineup. Kia has already produced a small electric SUV. The Kia EV9 will act as another pillar for the company’s future electric portfolio. So, no pressure Kia. The EV9 just has to set the tone for an entire vehicle segment. The EV9 was just introduced to the world, so the industry is still waiting on plenty of details. Here are some things to expect from the innovative model.

The 2024 Kia EV9 should have incredible driving range

Kia is stepping into uncharted territory by producing a mainstream midsize electric SUV. We’ve seen luxury midsize electric SUVs, but the EV9 is likely to be the first affordable one for the average consumer. This means several automakers could use the EV as a benchmark when producing future midsize electric SUVs.

Decent driving range is integral to the success of an electric vehicle nameplate. Though different drivers require different driving range, most consumers would prefer more range over less range. Thus far, the industry standard for EVs is between 220 and 250 miles of standard driving range. That amount of driving range before needing to be charged is suitable for many drivers with home chargers and access to a level 2 fast-charging station in their community.

Unfortunately, charging infrastructure still has a long way to go. So, until it drastically improves, EVs with above-average driving range will always attract some attention due to range anxiety. The 2023 Kia EV6 has a max driving range of 310 miles, which is exceptional by today’s standards. Since the EV9 is a larger model, expect one of its configurations to get at least 310 miles of driving range.

Realistically, the Kia EV9’s standard driving range isn’t likely to be groundbreaking, but a few extra miles go a long way. A standard driving range of above 240 miles would be nice to see.

Expect a lot of torque from the 2024 Kia EV9

Electric motors help EVs produce a lot of instant torque, which creates an exhilarating driving experience. Few electric vehicles benefit from a healthy amount of torque more than the 2023 Kia EV6 GT. Its performance has made it a World Performance Car of the Year finalist. The Kia EV6 GT makes 320 horsepower and a whopping 446 lb-ft of torque. Not bad at all for its size.

Since the EV9 is larger, it could potentially produce the same amount of torque (or even more) than the EV6. There’s no telling whether or not Kia will offer a performance-oriented configuration, but a dual-motor powertrain setup should provide ample torque. Expect engaging driving dynamics from Kia’s midsize electric SUV.

The Kia EV9 could have some kooky features

Kia recently hosted a media event in Seoul where it displayed the production 2024 Kia EV9. One of the most notable features of the production model was the rotating second-row captain’s chairs.

These chairs are able to rotate 180 degrees. Automakers are constantly pushing design limits when it comes to EVs because the futuristic vehicles should bring something new to the table to excite consumers. Nothing hints at a bright future like wacky features that most drivers have never seen. Expect the 2024 Kia EV9 to have some tricks up its sleeve. Car and Driver claims that the EV9 will arrive either in late 2023 or early 2024.