A 100% electric SUV that puts the world at its feet

Three in a row… After Hyundai, celebrating the year…2022 and…2023 for the Ioniq 5 and 6, it is the turn of Kia, the sister brand of the Korean group, to receive the main praise. Designed by the teams of Lebanese-Canadian designer Karim Habib, himself chosen as the designer of the year by “Newsweek” magazine, the EV9 made a unanimous decision from the World Car of the Year (WCOTY) jury. A worthy prize as this impressive SUV (5.01 m), with its fake Range Rover appearance, catches the retina at first glance.

A car with exceptional performance, with two engines, an XXL battery (99.8 kWh) that ensures a wide range of functions and an impressive carrying capacity (210 € ¯kW) allowing it to recover 80% of autonomy in twenty-four minutes, the EV9. .. joins the fight with the best German brands Audi, BMW and Mercedes. But it’s all about the Tesla…X that the Asian juggernaut…(2.5t) has in its tracks.

Kia EV9 with a large space, quiet, comfortable and fast despite its size, is interesting with its  V2L technology with the ability to recover the electricity contained in its battery, its Plug & Charge function that allows connecting to the terminal quickly without needing a registration card, its e-Pedal mode to stop without using the brake pedal or its camera mirrors (1… € ‰200 o optional).

Available with two- or four-wheel drive and in 6- or 7-seat configurations, it can even have swivel seats in the second row for travel like in your living room. Obviously, these great services come at a high price (from 73,000 euros in the 4×2, 204ch version). Proof that Kia is no longer the simple stoo of the last decade. Note that BYD Seal and Volvo EX30 completed the podium this year.

KIA EV9 GT-LINE from €86,000 Penalty 0€ Power 385 hp Max. 200km/h From 0 to 100km/h 5.3 s Cons. combined 22.8kWh / 100km Range 505km

WCOTY AWARDS 2024

In addition to Kia EV9, winner of two categories (World Car and Electric Car), the World Car of the Year jury also awarded Toyota Prius (Design), Volvo EX30 (City Car), BMW 5 Series (Luxury) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (Sporty). There are no French women on the list this year. As a reminder, the WCOTY jury brings together 100 motoring journalists from 30 countries. Among the three representatives of France is that of the Paris match.

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