The 2024 Kia EV9 is slated to be launched next in Thailand (on 2-March 2024), following the launches of Kia’s flagship EV SUV in Singapore and Indonesia. The EV9 will also become the brand's first EV model to go on sale in the Kingdom. 

The news comes alongside Kia announcing its official entry into Thailand. On its Instagram page, Kia Asia Pacific wrote, “Kia Corporation is making its official entry into Thailand, bringing Kia renowned vehicles closer to Thai consumers. Highlights include adding 10 new dealers, revamping after-sales with a 7-year warranty for every new model, and introducing cutting-edge all-electric models.”

Par the course, Kia Thailand Co., Ltd. will now oversee the sales and marketing of its vehicles in the country, taking over from the previous local distributor sales model.

Also read: 2023 Kia EV9 unveiled - First look at the 3-row electric SUV with swivelling seats

Moving back to the EV9, the 3-row SUV is built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) platform - its long wheelbase, low beltline, and completely flat (800-volt) EV architecture allows generous use of space for all occupants to relax with lounge-style comfort.

The 3-row SUV is available in 6- and 7-seater configurations, including cool second-row seats that can be swivelled 180 degrees to face occupants in the third row. First and second-row occupants can also simultaneously recline their seats to rest and relax as the electric SUV is charging.

The Kia EV9 is offered with either a 76.1 kWh lithium-ion (Standard) or the 99.8 kWh lithium-ion Long Range range battery which offers a range of up to 541 km on the WLTP cycle. Max DC charging speed is rated at 350 kW with compatible chargers.

There are 3 powertrain variants of the EV9 announced at launch, two rear-wheel drive (RWD) variants (featuring the standard and long-range batteries respectively) and a sole all-wheel drive (AWD) variant. The most powerful variant, the dual-motor AWD has a combined output of 380 PS and 600 Nm, or up to a whopping 700 Nm with the optional Power Boost feature.

Despite previous sightings of the Kia EV9 on Malaysian roads, there are no whispers through the grapevine that it will be launched here, for now. At the time we reported that the locally sighted EV9 was not owned by Kia distributor Bermaz (Dinamikjaya Motors), but rather an evaluation unit owned by Kia Motors Asia Pacific (Kia APAC) which is also headquartered in Kuala Lumpur.

Also read: Kia EV9 spotted in Malaysia but it's not what you think

In Korea, the Kia EV9 is priced at KRW 77.28 million (~RM 268.5k) which is KRW 1.44 million (~RM 5k) more than the EV6 GT AWD. The sole EV6 GT Line AWD sold in Malaysia is priced at RM 319,668.