Hyundai and Kia are now entering the upper segment of BEVs
- The Korean brands Hyundai and Kia, which have been united for 25 years in the Hyundai-Kia group, have each recently launched their largest battery electric models (E segment), which are also based on the same e-GMP platform (shared by the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60). These are large SUVs that can each welcome seven people, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is 5.06 m long and the Kia EV9 is 5.01 m long, these two models each weighing more than 2.5 tonnes in running order. Due to their dimensions, these two large SUVs are more intended for the American market, which is fond of this type of model, even if the BEV market is not yet well developed.
- Due to their electric motorisation, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9 have practically no competitors on this market for the moment. The only model that could be opposed to them seems to be the large 5.04 m long Tesla Model X SUV with a very different but equally massive design.
- The Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9 are equipped with the same electric motor delivering a choice of 204 hp (150 kW), 218 hp (160 kW), 313 hp (230 kW) or 434 hp (319 kW). The NMC battery offers a choice of 76 kWh, 100 kWh or 110 kWh, allowing a range of 500 km to 620 km according to the WLTP cycle and depending on the type of battery.
- Both models are assembled in South Korea and in the United States. Production of the Kia EV9 began in early 2024 and that of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 will begin in early 2025.