The Kia EV9 Goes Through Winter Weather Stress Test
The 2024 Kia EV9 is the South Korean automaker’s first fully-electric midsize SUV. In fact, it will be one of the only electric midsize SUVs on the market when it arrives. The EV9 is breaking new ground, and Kia is putting it through the wringer to ensure it lives up to expectations. The brand put it up against every EV’s kryptonite: extreme temperatures.
The cold doesn’t bother the 2024 Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 is no Esla from Frozen, but it seems to handle the cold just fine in a new promotional video showing the EV’s ability to survive cold temps. Electric vehicles have struggled with extreme hot and cold temperatures over the years. These temperatures often cause battery issues that can immobilize the vehicles or even cause them to overheat.
Weather-related issues are so prevalent in the EV space that Toyota has also advertised its electric SUV’s ability to withstand harsh climates. Stress tests look great on video, but the question is, will the EV9 be reliable enough for the average driver in extreme temperatures? The short answer is, only time will tell. With that being said, it’s comforting to know that Kia is accounting for low temps and snow before making its electric SUV available to consumers.
In the video above, a Kia spokesman explains that the fully-electric SUV is designed to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature without expending too much energy on climate control. Electric vehicles can quickly lose power when heating or cooling a vehicle. The brand has designed an efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system that should conserve the vehicle’s battery, even in harsh weather conditions.
No pressure Kia, but consumers are ready for an electric Telluride
Since the EV9 is a midsize SUV, it’s very easy to use the Telluride as a reference point. This is a blessing and a curse for Kia as a brand because the Kia Telluride has accomplished a lot in just a few years. So, expectations for the EV9 are already high because it seems closely related to Kia’s popular gas-midsize SUV model, which dominates its segment.
The EV9 may bare some resemblance to Kia’s midsize three-row model, but that isn’t enough to woo consumers. What do drivers really want from an electric Kia midsize SUV?
What do drivers want from the Kia EV9?
Electric vehicles are popping up from some of our favorite automakers. It seems like every brand is getting in on the fun as automakers spend billions of dollars on the production and development of new electric vehicle nameplates.
Ultimately, drivers want the Kia EV9 to be affordable, practical, and provide great value, as the Telluride does. Consumers want a powerful family hauler with plenty of cabin and cargo space that is capable of going the distance. Thus far, we know the EV9 has fast-charging capability (10%-80% in 24 minutes) and can tow up to 5,000 lbs. It seats seven and has up to 7.8 inches of ground clearance.
The EV9’s most powerful configuration can go from 0-60 miles per hour in just 5.0 seconds. It makes 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Kelley Blue Book claims that Kia’s electric midsize SUV will be available in late 2023.
